Mike O’Neil already was looking into adding solar power and battery storage at his home when he heard about a pilot program his electric company was launching.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced last month new and more stringent vehicle emission standards, which some say could significantly help reduce harmful air pollution in Utah and across the country, as well as accelerating the automobile industry s switch to electric vehicles. While the agency s rule does not specifically require automakers to increase production of electric vehicles, the agency is saying it is most likely the way for the industry to meet the standards. Chris Harto, senior sustainability policy analyst for Consumer Reports, said it could lead to some significant changes down the line. .
A court hearing is scheduled for this week as environmental and tribal advocates continue to voice concerns about an oil and gas pipeline that runs across northern Wisconsin. Line 5, operated by Enbridge Energy, goes through a reservation that is home to the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The tribe recently filed a court motion seeking an emergency shutdown of the pipeline. .
Supervisors in Tama County this week are considering an ordinance to limit the size of solar installations on farmland, to generate no more than 25 megawatts of electricity. Most utilities estimate it takes five to six acres of land to yield one megawatt. It is the latest step in the ongoing push-and-pull between farmers and alternative energy advocates. .
By Sarah Shemkus for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for New Hampshire News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service Collaboration The early results of a New Hampshire battery storage pilot are being widely hailed, but it remains unclear whether the program will be expanded to test new models and new ways of benefiting consumers. The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission issued an order Wednesday declaring that the first 20 months of the pilot, run by Liberty Utilities, met its goals. The order requires the company to file a new proposal by May 30 for how it will continue, modify, or expand its pilot program. Liberty Utilities in November released a report finding that the first phase of its battery storage pilot, in which the utility provided batteries to 96 homes, yielded significant cost savings for participants and effectively discharged power into the grid during periods of peak demand. &ldqu