Dive Brief: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized its conclusion that regulating mercury and other pollutants from power plants is not "appropriate and necessary." Its decision does not revoke the MATS standard, but rather withdraws the agency's previous legal justification for enforcing the rule. EPA's move to reject the value of co-benefits … [Read more...] about EPA rejects legal basis for MATS, drawing widespread objections, concerns over future air rule impacts
Southern cuts 20% of Vogtle expansion staff for labor efficiency, worker safety as coronavirus spreads
Dive Brief: Southern Company and its subsidiary Georgia Power announced on Thursday an approximately 20% reduction in the construction workforce for the nuclear Vogtle Units 3 and 4, as COVID-19 continues to impact the industry. Vogtle Unit 3 and 4 are expected in operation in 2021 and 2022 respectively, but the project has already faced significant cost overruns and delays. … [Read more...] about Southern cuts 20% of Vogtle expansion staff for labor efficiency, worker safety as coronavirus spreads
PG&E proposes lithium-ion battery projects to replace Oakland fossil fuel plant
Dive Brief: Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is tapping into two lithium-ion battery storage projects — totaling 43.25 MW/173 MWh — to address reliability needs in the Oakland area, the utility said in an application filed with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Wednesday. The projects are part of the Oakland Clean Energy … [Read more...] about PG&E proposes lithium-ion battery projects to replace Oakland fossil fuel plant
'Just plain garbage,' FERC's Glick says as Commission largely upholds its PJM MOPR decision
Dive Brief: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday voted to largely uphold its December decision to raise the floor price for certain new resources in the PJM Interconnection wholesale capacity market. FERC offered clarity on some aspects of the Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) and said it will grant "certain narrow requests for rehearing." The MOPR will not … [Read more...] about 'Just plain garbage,' FERC's Glick says as Commission largely upholds its PJM MOPR decision
Clean energy industry may lose 15% of workforce
Dive Brief: More than 106,000 clean energy jobs were eliminated in the month of March due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to an analysis of unemployment data by BW Research Partnership and E2. The layoffs reflect a 3% drop in overall industry employment. Clean energy sector No. of jobs lost Energy efficiency 69,800 Renewable energy 16,500 Clean … [Read more...] about Clean energy industry may lose 15% of workforce