Solar business collapses: Uncovering the reasons
In the world of energy and climate, there's been a flurry of activity across the United States. Here's a roundup of some of the key developments:
Origis Energy has successfully secured financing for a 200 MW solar farm and 50 MW battery facility in Mississippi. This project will supply the Tennessee Valley Authority, contributing to the region's renewable energy goals. [Power Technology]
However, safety concerns have arisen in another part of the country. Three workers have tragically lost their lives, and 15 more have been seriously injured during the construction of Hyundai's electric vehicle and battery factory in Georgia. This incident has raised questions about safety oversight and the pace of construction. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
In Virginia, solar farm development has a relatively minor impact on most residential property values, according to a study by Virginia Tech researchers. The effect seems to depend largely on local attitudes toward solar. [Virginia Tech News Release]
Political intrigue has also entered the energy scene. Democratic Congress member Abigail Spanberger and 11 Virginia lawmakers have called on a candidate in the Democratic primary for attorney general to recuse herself from cases involving Dominion Energy after her campaign received roughly $650,000 from the utility. [Richmond Times-Dispatch]
Meanwhile, a candidate in the Democratic primary for the Georgia Public Service Commission has been disqualified after a judge found he wouldn't have lived in the district for the required year before the general election. [Associated Press]
The energy landscape is not just about renewables. Virginia gears up for a climate-exacerbated hurricane season, with the Trump administration calling for states to shoulder more of the burden of response and recovery. [Inside Climate News]
Environmental groups are pressing the U.S. EPA to formally recognize that the Memphis metro area has ozone emissions levels that fail to meet national health standards, thereby triggering stricter requirements for air permits. [Tennessee Lookout]
More than 100 gas-fired power plants totaling 58 GW have been proposed in Texas, which could emit an estimated 115 million metric tons of greenhouse gases every year. [Inside Climate News]
A study finds certain neighborhoods across Virginia with low tree cover and expansive concrete spaces - often those that had been historically underinvested because of higher populations of people of color - can be more than 15 degrees hotter than other places. [Virginia Mercury]
The energy sector has also been affected by the proposed cuts in Trump's bill. Estimates suggest a 50% decrease in rooftop solar installations next year and an 85% decrease through 2030 due to these cuts. [New York Times]
Cleveland-Cliffs has declined a forgivable $50 million loan from West Virginia after abandoning its plans to build a transformer factory in the state. [WV Metro News]
Two major players in the solar industry, Sunnova and Solar Mosaic, have faced financial problems. While some of these issues predate the Trump administration, they have been exacerbated by market conditions. [Article]
Virginia's Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger has announced an energy platform that calls for expanding generation, more protections for ratepayers, and an emphasis on ensuring data centers don't lead to higher energy prices. [E&E News]
The energy sector is also grappling with staff shortages. As many as 44% of National Weather Service positions in Houston are vacant amid Trump's cuts, making the agency struggle with staff shortages during what's forecast to be an above-normal activity hurricane season. [Texas Tribune]
In politics, both candidates in a Republican primary election for a Virginia state house seat have named rising power bills as the biggest issue facing voters in the district. [Cardinal News]
Lastly, support for renewable energy has fallen among both Republicans and Democrats over the last five years, while backing for expanding fossil fuels and nuclear production has grown. [Canary Media - Pam Radtke] Southern California regulators have also rejected rules that would've encouraged adoption of electric heat pumps and water heaters, and which would've helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the smog-plagued area. [Canary Media - Alison F. Takemura]
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