NCSL
State legislatures took significant actions on a variety of energy policy priorities in 2022, enacting nearly 500 measures over the course of the year. Legislatures continued to focus on enhancing clean and renewable energy goals, expanding access to electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging infrastructure, and improving system reliability. However, new trends emerged as well, including policies to support offshore wind, hydrogen production and nuclear power projects.
Canary Media
An analysis of the Inflation Reduction Act suggests that each state could gain between 2,000 and 14,000 clean energy jobs due to the investments initiated by the act.
Utility Dive
As part of the new standards for a national electric vehicle charging network, Tesla has agreed to open at least 7,500 of its chargers to the public. Previously, Tesla’s chargers have not accommodated other EV brands.
E & E News
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program is meeting resistance from Wyoming as the state doubts whether charging stations in rural areas will see sufficient use to justify their costs.
Washington Post
Interest in modular nuclear plants grows as coal plants across the country could be converted into the cleaner source of energy.
Energy.gov
The Department of Energy announced new investments to advance the development of floating offshore wind to achieve the federal goal of deploying 15 gigawatts of floating offshore wind by 2035.
Utility Dive
The Maine Public Utilities Commission approved a 1,000-megawatt wind farm to provide renewable energy to Maine and the rest of New England. However, the project has created concerns about how to pay for the energy transition.
Route-Fifty
The Minnesota Legislature passed a bill requiring the state’s electric utilities to transition to 100% carbon-free sources by 2040, speeding up the state’s utilities’ previously set carbon-free timelines by a decade.
Power Magazine
The DOE announced funding for seven enhanced geothermal system pilot projects to review the systems in different geological settings with various development techniques and well orientations.