Solar installers of a smaller scale will likely experience significant impact due to GOP's new tax legislation.
In the heart of the United States, Midwestern states are making strides in the energy sector, with a focus on climate protection, renewable energy, and advanced technologies.
According to the latest studies, the costs of climate protection infrastructure in Ohio are typically shared among government agencies, private investors, and project developers. For instance, the U.S. Department of Energy supports projects like ECOtality’s electric vehicle infrastructure with federal funding, while investors and regional authorities handle permitting and local implementation.
Meanwhile, conservation and renewable energy trade groups have expressed concerns about a new Interior Department memo requiring federal approval for all aspects of wind and solar projects. This development has raised eyebrows, particularly in the context of Indiana, where a recent research report suggests that the state's industrial facilities, multiple reservoirs, and caprocks make it suitable for carbon capture and storage.
County officials outside Chicago have approved plans for two commercial solar projects, while rejecting two other proposals due to local concerns about aesthetics, farmland preservation, and safety. On the other hand, two Chicago-area cities are considering a 20-year contract extension with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, which has drawn concern over its reliance on a large coal plant for power supply.
In an interesting turn of events, Chicago activists have called on Governor JB Pritzker to sign legislation that would make the fossil fuel industry responsible for paying for climate resilience infrastructure. This call comes as state and local Ohio officials have yet to join climate change litigation aimed at making fossil fuel companies pay for climate change impacts, despite recent studies suggesting local governments could face billions in climate-related damage costs.
Looking north, Michigan is accepting public comments on a set of permits related to Enbridge's plan to build an underground tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac to house Line 5.
Elsewhere, North Dakota researchers are investigating the possibility of pairing geothermal power with active oil and gas drilling sites, using captured carbon as a feedstock for geothermal power production. This innovative approach could potentially revolutionise the energy landscape in the region.
On the policy front, at least $15 billion in public and private funding is being invested in the small modular reactor development space, reflecting a growing global interest in advanced nuclear power technology. However, a new GOP law is expected to end key tax credits for rooftop solar, potentially causing a decline in business for local installers as going solar becomes more expensive for homeowners.
Experts predict that the latest PJM capacity price results, to be released on Tuesday, will likely continue a trend of rising prices due to increasing demand and stalled clean energy projects. Central Nebraska county officials are still working on new wind and solar siting regulations after nearly three years under a project moratorium.
In a thought-provoking article titled "Will the AI boom be powered by big, slow energy projects?", Julian Spector explores the question of whether the rapid growth of artificial intelligence will be sustained by traditional, slow-moving energy infrastructure or by more agile, renewable alternatives.
As the energy landscape evolves, one thing is clear: the Midwest is at the forefront of these changes, with a diverse array of projects and policies shaping the future of energy in the region.
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