Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.’s Post

100% concur with Diego Mandelbaum on this issue. A recurring problem is that policy makers have a blind spot on thermal energy. They wrongly assume that electricity policy is energy policy and vice versa. This myopia results not only in higher consumer costs but inferior capital deployment and deleterious environmental outcomes. We need to break the fever of “electrify everything” through ardent advocacy and education.

“According to the 2021 Diversity in the U.S. Energy Workforce Report prepared by the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), only 8% of workers in the energy sector are African American, compared to 13% across the national workforce. A report from The Solar Foundation goes a step further, adding that across the renewable energy industry, C-suite employees are almost exclusively white, with only three Black Fortune 500 CEOs as of 2018. Although this percentage may have changed in the past few years, perception remains a reality for many in Black communities. Companies that are pushing the needle forward on energy progress still struggle to hire skilled minority leaders.” #energypolicy #representationmatters #justtransition #climatecrisis #dei

Of the 23 states that have 100 percent carbon-free energy laws or executive orders in place, Connecticut, Minnesota, New York and Oregon share Michigan’s new timeline (2040), while Rhode Island has set a 2033 target for 100 percent of the state’s electricity to be offset by renewable generation. California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Virginia and Washington have also set 100 percent carbon-free mandates with later deadlines, as have Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

The Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), through the Canada Electricity Advisory Council, has released their latest blueprint. However, it largely overlooks a critical component: district energy (DE). Aside from a token mention, the blueprint misses the vast potential of DE as a major demand-side management (DSM) measure for the electrical grid, enabling smart electrification. Investing in DE is not just an alternative; it's a superior solution. Time and again, DE has proven more cost-effective for ratepayers (i.e. electric utility customers) compared to electrifying each building individually and pouring resources into upstream distribution, generation, and transmission. This sector coupling approach is not novel — Europe, and notably Denmark, adopted DE during their energy crisis and have reaped the benefits ever since. Denmark's success with DE stands as a compelling model. By leveraging DE, they optimized their energy use, reduced costs, and enhanced sustainability. Canada can learn from these examples, positioning DE at the forefront of our energy strategy. Economics, at it's core, deals with the allocation of scarce resources. Electricity, particularly renewable electricity, is one of the scarcest resources we have as we transition the energy landscape. Let's drive smart, sustainable electrification forward by embracing the proven efficiency of district energy and sector coupling. 🌍⚡ International District Energy Association, Creative Energy https://lnkd.in/g5zwTJ7F

More than 8 million Texans from 28 cities and counties are celebrating National Clean Energy Week with proclamations attesting to the importance of #CleanEnergy investment in our cities’, states’, and nation’s future. The proclamations, in part, tout new technologies contributing to a cleaner energy future along with the hundreds of thousands of #jobs and strong economic growth the clean energy industry provides. “The clean energy sector is a key driver of economic growth in Sweetwater, with scores of new jobs being added to the industry every year,” said Mayor of Sweetwater Jim McKenzie. “We must continue to advocate for low-cost renewable and reliable energy.” #NCEW2023 #Texas #EconomicGrowth #RenewableEnergy https://lnkd.in/gQVVpaRE

As we witness an ever-increasing demand for electricity in the Pacific Northwest, a recent report has brought to light significant concerns regarding the reliability of our electrical grid. This comes at a time when the region is making a pivotal shift towards cleaner energy resources. In this critical period of transition, projects like Goldendale are not just beneficial—they are essential. Goldendale represents a significant step forward in ensuring that our grid can meet both current and future demands while supporting our commitment to sustainable energy practices. Such initiatives are crucial for maintaining grid stability and ensuring that we keep the lights on across the region, even as we move towards more sustainable energy solutions. https://lnkd.in/ggtGGRr4 #EnergyTransition #GridReliability #SustainableEnergy #PacificNorthwest

As we frequently discuss – quantum of clean infrastructure implementation ahead of us is massive as we install the capacity to power our nation’s continued growth as well as meet our targets for electrification and decarbonization. Of the many development challenges along the road from “project concept” to “development complete” – the permitting stage is one that each and every project will traverse. USA Today covers a troubling trend of renewable energy permitting bans that are cropping up in markets and targeting projects of varying sizes and technologies. This will be an area for regulators, customers and developers to dig into to ensure that we are putting the right assets in the right places, and providing the benefits of the renewable energy transition in a stable, scalable and equitable manner. #madeinamerica #development #permitting https://lnkd.in/eGTxtwQP

The New York metro area is leading the U.S. in the creation of clean energy jobs, according to the eighth annual Clean Energy Jobs America report released Thursday. As a state, New York is third behind California and Texas in the growth of its clean energy sector, but the New York metro region is ahead of Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington and other major cities in producing green jobs, according to the report’s data, which was published by non-partisan, San Francisco-based business group Environmental Entrepreneurs or E2. “New York is a leader in passing strong policy that sends the proper market signals focused on making sure that we have a sustainable, clean energy future,” Uchenna Bright, the northeast advocate with E2, told Crain’s in an interview. “Because of policy, I think, our city and state is up there leading with not just the technology, but the workers to get it done.” In 2022 New York had 166,014 workers in the clean energy sector in a variety of fields, including renewable energy, storage and grid, energy efficiency, biofuels and clean vehicles. The figure has steadily grown from 160,183 in 2021 and 152,789 in 2020. Currently, the bulk of the sector’s workforce in New York is in energy efficiency with a whopping 126,008 jobs, the report shows. The New York metro region far and away makes up the lion's share of the state’s clean energy jobs employment with 157,562 positions in the sector as of 2022. Three of the boroughs—Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn—are among the top 100 counties for green jobs in the U.S., according to the report. That comes as little surprise to Bright who points to the New York metro region as the nation’s epicenter for building decarbonization. “Especially in New York City, buildings, particularly existing buildings, are one of our big challenges,” said Bright. “Decarbonization and energy efficiency are still very much a huge market within the city, and there’s still a lot more work to be done there.” “All of these things are models that help direct the country,” said Bright. “And I feel like New York is really leading the way in terms of planning for the long-term.”

The #CleanEnergyGeneration is making progress every day here in the Southeast. From a historically Black neighborhood and the world’s busiest airport going solar to renewable energy investments outpacing fossil fuel investments by nearly 2:1, our clean energy future is becoming a reality. Take a look at just six of the many inspiring signs of clean energy adoption in the Southeast we’ve seen this fall.

Queensland is forging a new pathway in how we generate and distribute energy—clean energy—and we're guiding this change with precision and foresight. Enter Renewable Energy Zones (REZs)—areas identified for their rich potential in renewable resources like wind and solar. Our plan is to equip these zones with the modern infrastructure needed to develop our renewable resources effectively and responsibly. That's a big change for our energy system and it comes with a commitment to provide Queenslanders with access to clean, affordable and reliable power. Because this is much more than infrastructure. It's about people and the communities that are at the heart of Queensland's future clean energy system. The shift to renewable energy zones means thoughtful, considered planning to make sure our transition is smooth and beneficial for local regions. We aim to support local jobs and economies, and offering a strong foundation for coordinated project connection, comprehensive impact management, and local growth. It's not only energy either. Strategic REZ readiness assessments will also look at the potential implications for infrastructure, transport, housing and accommodation, workforce, supply chains, waste management, other land uses, and social infrastructure, as well as local industry and First Nations considerations. Right now, we're focused on consultation, listening to and learning from Queenslanders as we draft plans for these REZs. Our aim is to align with local aspirations, addressing the immediate needs of each community. The journey begins in Central Queensland, where our teams will be engaging directly with residents and stakeholders over the next few months. Central Queensland is well-positioned to lead the way in this energy transformation, with exciting possibilities in hydrogen and supporting existing industries. Your input is invaluable to us as we shape a future in which renewable energy is a pillar of economic strength for regional industries. Learn more about REZs and the REZ Readiness Assessment process at https://lnkd.in/g83BVgjX Department of Energy and Climate #RenewableEnergy