Adam Ruder

The ongoing feud between Connecticut utilities and their regulators has spilled over into the state’s efforts to implement performance-based regulation (PBR) for its electric utilities. PBR essentially covers to efforts to better align the profit incentives for utilities, which have regulated monopolies, with state policy goals. PBR mechanisms can be used to better-incentivize affordability, resilience, distributed energy deployment, and electrification. I spoke with a whole bunch of people about what the fight in Connecticut could mean for the state's clean energy transition, and whether it will influence PBR in other states. While the utilities are concerned that they will not be able to recover a reasonable rate of return on their investments in the new proposed framework, consumer and environmental advocates have argued that these concerns are overblown. Read the full story here at RTO Insider LLC https://lnkd.in/eYgeCEWN

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With more businesses wising up to the economics of EVs, it’s been great to see new charging infrastructure for electric trucks popping up along the I-95 Corridor from Maryland to Connecticut. Read more from Bloomberg Law’s Stephen Lee about the Clean Coalition Plan, which plans to use federal grant funding to install more chargers to ease the transportation industry’s transition to EVs: https://lnkd.in/emURxH4R

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Toyota & PepCo Vehicle to Grid Testing in Maryland https://lnkd.in/gNCAz665 auto connected car newsToyota Motor North America (Toyota) and local energy utility Pepco are working together on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) research for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) using a Toyota bZ4X. This collaborative effort will explore bidirectional power flow technology that will allow BEV owners to not only charge their vehicle’s battery but also send power back to the local energy grid. V2G technology has the potential to support and provide benefits to customers through improved energy reliability and resilience, the integration of renewables, and the possibility of reduced electricity costs. This collaboration aims to understand the needs of EV owners through their charging habits and

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Get charging infrastructure ready in advance and use a phased approach to transition to #electricvehicles, early adopters of electrification advise. Joe Lombardo and Mike Skirzynski highlighted the successes and challenges of carriers that adopted EV technology early, during Truck World Show. #truck #trucking #sustainability #electrictrucks https://lnkd.in/g_z2yd2G

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Following nearly two years of negotiations and more drama than I usually cover, the Massachusetts legislature is finally poised to pass a major climate bill. It features some key pieces for the state's clean energy transition, including major reforms to the permitting review of renewable energy and grid infrastructure projects. This will cap the permitting process for clean energy infrastructure at 12-15 months, a big win for renewable developers. The bill also would make some important changes to the laws regarding gas utility regulation in the state, setting the stage for the retirement of portions of the gas network. If Massachusetts is serious about decarbonization, it needs to start making significant strides to reduce its natural gas dependence, and this appears to be a step in that direction. The bill also would authorize a major procurement of energy storage (including long-duration energy storage), force electric utilities to consider advanced transmission technologies when making new investments, and require cumulative impact assessments for new energy infrastructure. The full article for RTO Insider LLC is linked below – you can get through the paywall if you sign up with a business email. https://lnkd.in/d3x_iRvB

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First Unitil proposed a lower price for heat pump users, and now National Grid will be doing the same thing. That will mean close to 1.5 million households with access to discounts for using heat pumps. My latest for the Energy News Network.

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🚍 Boston Public Schools (BPS) Advances Fleet Electrification! BPS is taking important steps to modernize its transportation by retrofitting 15 diesel buses to electric, supported by a $2 million grant from the EPA. This initiative aims to improve air quality while maximizing the use of existing fleet components. Key Points: New Electric Buses: The acquisition of 10 new electric buses complements the retrofitting efforts, aligning with the goal to electrify the entire fleet of 750 buses by 2030. Health Impact: This move addresses air quality concerns, particularly in communities affected by diesel emissions. Strategic Routing: The district plans to prioritize electric bus routes in areas that experience higher levels of pollution. With 114 electric buses on track for deployment, the City of Boston's Public Schools are demonstrating how smart investments can enhance fleet management while contributing to better community health. #ElectricVehicles #BostonPublicSchools #FleetElectrification #EPA #CleanAir

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Most U.S. decarbonization efforts focus on #electrification – cars, heat pumps, and the like. While important, these efforts overlook a vital issue: the electric grid. Already responsible for 25% of the country's emissions, the grid could account for an increase in carbon emissions if it is not decarbonized. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) by Key Capture Energy, an SK E&S company, have the potential to transform the grid by decarbonizing it at a speed and scale previously thought impossible. BESS can do that by storing power generated by renewables, including solar and wind power, and releasing that clean #energy to the grid during periods of high demand. Discover how Key Capture Energy’s Battery Energy Storage Systems are paving the way for a greener, more resilient grid. https://lnkd.in/ekeFGKNE

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸'𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 Richard Ellenbogen was an early adopter of renewable and lower-emission combustion technology, deploying them at his home and his business in Westchester County. In the article linked below, Ellenbogen, a Cornell-trained electrical engineer, explains how his personal experience led him to become one of the leading critics of the cost and feasibility of New York’s ambitious energy policy.  Read the Empire Center story below. https://lnkd.in/eyNrRdNE

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has gone public with its official framework for vehicle-to-grid integration. In our last post, we outlined four of the five pillars that will hold up this new plan. > https://lnkd.in/e2ruBkZb But it’s the final pillar that we’re most excited about.   That’s because it’s all about the #customer. This is what counts for the average EV owner, because it’s the part of VGI they’ll be dealing with every day.   According to the DOE, consumers need a choice of charging options, providers and rates — and all those options should be clear and accessible. They need to be able to decide how to interface with the grid so they can make the most money in a way that is convenient to them. That compensation needs to be commensurate with value provided to the grid.   And above all, things should be simple and straightforward. “Implementation complexity is invisible to customers and reduces the participation burden,” notes the report. “Technology eases the customer’s ability to respond to dynamic rates or signals that optimize charging or discharging based on grid or market conditions. Customer set preferences ensure that EV drivers do not need to continually manage and respond to signals themselves.” What are your thoughts on the DOE's #VGI roadmap?

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As part of its EVGrid Assist initiative, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a shared vision of vehicle grid integration for the industry. “The Future of Vehicle Grid Integration: Harnessing the Flexibility of EV Charging” illustrates the characteristics of a future where electric vehicles are safely and securely connected to, reliably served by, and harmonized with the electric grid. The document offers a goal to work towards for stakeholders as they develop products, identify opportunities for standardization, and design new policies, rates, and services in pursuit of this vision.     Read the announcement to learn more and download the document: https://lnkd.in/eEWQyb59    Sign up for upcoming webinars and stakeholder meetings at https://lnkd.in/eccw6aar   

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Achieve your sustainability targets without breaking the bank. We provide free CRISI grant support assistance with locomotive purchases. With an 80% grant offset, this is the estimated out-of-pocket expense to your railroad: 🚂 1000 hp RNG, Battery-Electric, or Hydrogen Total-Zero™ Switcher Locomotive starts at $300,000 (full price is $1.5M). 🚂 3000 hp RNG or Hydrogen Total-Zero™ Road Switcher Locomotive starts at $600,000 (full price is $2.5M). 🚂 5600 hp RNG Total-Zero™ Line Haul Locomotive starts at $1,100,000 (full price is $5.5M). The CRISI deadline is approaching fast, so contact us today to get started. https://lnkd.in/eiRxNk9P Deadline: May 28, 2024 #optifuelsystems #optifuel #totalzero #CRISIgrant #grantassistance #renewablenaturalgas #rng #modularengineering #switcherlocomotives #switchers #shortline #rail #railtransport #revolutionizingrail #fleettransitions #cummins #greentechnology #turnkeyrefueling #zeroemissions #futureoffuel #greentechnology #futureofrail #nextgenrail #hydrogen #batteryelectric #flexiblefuel #reinspirerail

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DEGESERO: ELECTION RESULTS SHOW VOTERS REJECTED UNAFFORDABLE ENERGY MANDATES “As Electric Rates Increase, We Urge NJ Legislators to Pause Looming, Unaffordable Electrification Mandates” CRANFORD -- Eric DeGesero, Executive Vice President for Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey and lobbyist for New Jersey Motor Truck Association and New Jersey Propane Gas Association, released the following statement regarding last week’s election results and energy affordability: "Last week, voters across the country sent a message that affordability and energy costs are a primary concern. “In Vermont, one of the bluest states in the nation, Republican Governor Phil Scott won re-election with nearly 70% of the vote and Democrats lost their veto-proof majorities. One of the notable losses in the Senate was Democratic Senator Chris Bray, Chairman of the Natural Resources & Energy Committee and sponsor of the Vermont Clean Heat Standard, an outrageously expensive building electrification mandate. Also losing his seat was Senator Mark MacDonald, a co-sponsor of the bill, who stated that anyone who was concerned about the cost of the clean heat standard should, 'go get a blanket.' “In Washington State, there were four public referendums on the ballot. The only one to pass with 51% of the vote was Initiative Measure No. 2066, which blocks the prohibition of using gas for heating or cooking. "And just yesterday, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced he won't pursue the electric vehicle sales mandate proposed for 2035.  “In New Jersey, where President Trump received over 10% more votes than he did in 2020 — the second largest right swing of any state in the nation — legislative leaders should take economic concerns into consideration and pause Governor Murphy’s expensive energy electrification mandates. There’s even more of an urgency to do so, as today’s Bureau of Labor Statistics report reveals that electricity price inflation rose by 4.5 percent in October versus 3.7 percent in September, a 22 percent increase and 27% for the last 12 months. “In particular, Governor Murphy’s looming electric truck mandate, which goes into effect in January 2025, will cost New Jersey consumers hundreds of millions of dollars, resulting in some of the most expensive delivered goods in the nation—at a time when our grocery bills are already 28% higher than the rest of the country's. “Given the rising electricity rates and overwhelming cost to consumers, we urge the Legislature to immediately consider, S-3817 and A-4967, sponsored by Senator Diegnan and Assemblyman Calabrese, which will delay ACT (Advanced Clean Transportation) by two years. A delay is not only reasonable, but essential for the uninterrupted flow of commerce through our region and across the nation. ”As we saw last week, energy affordability is an issue that politicians ignore at their own peril." ######

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With the OEM crisis in America - it is great to have another entry into the market for hydrogen powered buses. GILLIG will expand its diverse transit bus portfolio with a hydrogen fuel cell-powered bus, to be developed in collaboration with BAE Systems and Ballard Power Systems. The innovative venture underlines GILLIG's ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and delivering adaptable, high-quality transit solutions tailored to the diverse needs of fleets nationwide. "Understanding the unique operational challenges faced by each transit agency — from varying duty cycles and geographic terrains to diverse climates and depot locations — is fundamental to our vision of improving quality of life through transformative mass transit solutions," said Benjamin Grunat, GILLIG’s VP, product planning and strategy. "Introducing the hydrogen fuel cell bus into our product lineup signifies GILLIG's commitment to advancing sustainable public transportation technologies. It's about offering a solution that's not only flexible enough to fit every fleet but also matured through our thoughtful approach to product development, ensuring reliability and readiness for the demands of today's transit environment.” GILLIG’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus The GILLIG hydrogen fuel cell bus, which is currently in development, will provide transit agencies with zero-emission operational range, rapid refueling capabilities, and reliable performance in diverse climates and terrains. As agencies evaluate their options for the future, this new offering broadens the horizon for those considering hydrogen as a zero-emission solution.

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If the constant headlines of car manufacturers pulling back EV production due to high costs and lack of demand isn't enough of an indication that California's emission standards are too aggressive for industries to keep up with, this goes to show that there's a massive disconnect between the policymakers who set these standards and the very businesses and people whose lives are unfairly shaped by these unrealistic policies. CA policymakers must remember that they ultimately serve the people who are their constituents, not an out-of-touch political agenda that only hurts the most vulnerable in the community. + Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gkSeBsjh ----------------------------------------------------- #fuel #fuels #conveniencestores #california #caleg #emissions #energy #sustainable

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📢 Urgent! You may need to act before May 15th. The Congressional Progressive Caucus Center is looking for tax-exempt entities who might have installed solar, wind, EV Charging stations, ground-source heat pumps, or purchased fleet EVs in 2023. If this is you and you haven't pre-filed for Direct Pay tax credits for work done in 2023, the CPCC advises that you should file for an extension. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dKnR_Az6 ~ If you're a government entity filing a tax form for the first time, CPCC advises that you get an automatic paperless extension until Nov 15. ~ If you're an entity that's filed a tax form previously (like a 990 or 990T), you will need to submit Form 8868 to request an extension by your tax deadline (May 15th for many) so you have time to pre-register. ~ Ask the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center which scenario applies to you and request technical assistance at: bit.ly/webuildcleanenergy ~ Check out this Lawyers for Good Government’s Fact Sheet on extensions: https://lnkd.in/dH63NKJq

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