Good morning and happy Friday,

​

This week’s clean energy hors d'oeuvres include an announcement from NY Governor Kathy Hochul that two offshore wind projects totaling more than 1,700 MW have received conditional awards in the state’s fourth offshore wind solicitation, as well as an interview with America’s top climate diplomat, John Kerry, on his possible next moves after stepping down from his post this week (spoiler alert: he’s not giving up). 

​

In addition, a new weapon to help fight climate change was launched (literally) this week: backed by Google and the Environmental Defense Fund, the MethaneSAT satellite is orbiting Earth with the goal of pinpointing methane emissions and “bringing accountability” in the oil and gas industry, which is working to zero out methane and eliminate routine gas flaring.

​

Meanwhile, keep that cellphone charged – the Washington Post warns that “explosive demand” is “pushing America’s power grid to the brink – and utilities can’t keep up.” Well, while you still have some juice, grab your iPhone and snap a few shots to submit in the Hit Me With Your Sun Shot photo competition.

​

Read on for more.

​

​

Founded in 1992, the State Policy Network is a libertarian / conservative non-profit that seeks to “catalyze thriving, durable freedom movements in every state, anchored with high-performing independent think tanks.” Be that as it may, SPN has identified clean energy as one of the targets in its crosshairs for 2024. Here’s their rationale:

• SPN asserts that energy costs have gone up significantly over the last few years, and “become unreliable in several parts of the country.” One possible reason? “America’s transition to renewable energy sources could be to blame.”  
• The site specifically singles out wind and solar as “leading to an unreliable grid and soaring costs” – contradicting overwhelming evidence that wind and solar are the lowest-cost sources of new energy.
• To be clear, however, SPN isn’t against all forms of carbon-free power: as it works to “prevent states from adopting unreliable, intermittent sources that make the grid less stable and increase costs,” it supports geothermal energy, nuclear energy, and “policies that prioritize grid reliability and cost to ratepayers.” 

​

You are the company you keep. SPN’s extended family of affiliated organizations is a rogues’ gallery of sketchy outfits known for making specious claims, presumably at the behest of the fossil fuel industry. Well, if we’re going to beat ‘em, we have to “join” them – by outmatching their organization, determination, and focused messaging.

As we mentioned back in January, the fact that this is an election year means we can expect a bumper crop of polls and surveys. The Pew Research Center recently published an analysis that draws on several sources in an attempt to understand how Americans who identify as Republican think about climate and energy issues. Here are some key findings:

• Only 12% of Republicans see climate change as a top priority for the country – and overall, this issue ranks last in the list of 20 issues covered in a January, 2024 survey. That said, 54% support the U.S. participating in international efforts to address climate change.
• Although 70% of Republicans surveyed in June 2023 supported having more solar farms (70%) and 60% supported having more wind power, even higher percentages want to see more offshore oil and gas drilling (73%) and hydraulic fracturing (68%).
• Significant percentages of Republicans fear that transitioning to higher percentages of renewables will cause problems, like higher prices for everyday goods (66%), increased home energy costs (65%), and a less reliable grid (59%).

​

Changing views. One possible sign of change is that on some issues, younger Republicans hold different views than their older counterparts. For instance, while the oldest cohort (aged 65 and above) prioritizes expanding the production of oil, coal and natural gas over renewable sources by a margin of 75% to 24%, two-thirds of those aged 18-29 support prioritizing the development of renewable sources like wind and solar over expanding fossil fuels.

• Blocked: U.S. counties are blocking renewable energy 
• ‘On Stolen Land’: Tribes fight clean-energy projects 
• Tax Code: 'Direct pay' rules may change the future of renewables
• Heat Map: 20 countries with most clean energy production

MO Bill: Bill would limit farmland used for solar energy

• State lawmakers, local stakeholders protest state’s control over solar farm projects in Sharon Springs, NY
• Glenville, NY, seeking to extend solar moratorium
• Pulaski County, VA, approves new solar ordinance for companies investing in area
• Supervisors inch closer to passing wind ordinance in Washington County, Iowa
• Work on proposed Pike County, IL wind farm picking up, officials say
• BLM approves Alta Wind Battery Energy Storage project in California

​

As installed U.S. wind capacity grows, the DOE is looking ahead a few decades and anticipating a lot of decommissioning – as well as an accompanying need to recycle disused equipment and materials. It also sees the potential for a supply crunch for rare earth metals used in wind turbines.

In 2023, it launched the American-Made Wind Turbine Materials Recycling contest, which seeks to “help the United States develop a cost-effective and sustainable recycling industry for two high-impact categories of wind turbine materials: fiber-reinforced composites and rare earth elements.”  

In January, DOE announced 20 winners of the first phase of the competition; among these, four focus on magnet recycling – particularly relevant as offshore wind, which uses direct-drive turbines than rely on gigantic magnets made from rare earth materials, is at last beginning to gain a foothold in the U.S.

The 20 winning teams are now in phase two of the contest, which involves creating a prototype demonstration of their technology and a detailed plan to scale it up further. Ultimately, a maximum of six teams will be eligible to win $500,000 phase-two prizes.

Watch for those winners to be announced in late summer or early fall. And while that alone won’t automatically result in a domestic recycling industry, it’s an important first step in spawning key technologies, including one that could “serve as the foundation for commercial rare-earth magnet recycling from wind turbines.” Sounds irresistibly attractive to us!