Clean energy stock sell-off; SoCalGas proposes largest green hydrogen system

Responsibly sourced natural gas continued to gain support in 2021 as a number of companies committed to certifying that their production meets methane emissions limits and other standards. Source: grandriver/E+ via Getty Images

SPOTLIGHT

➤ Private markets shrug off clean energy stock sell-off

A stock rout that slashed the value of renewable energy companies by 41% in the past year has yet to discourage private market investors backing climate technology startups and green infrastructure projects.

➤ Solar power storage, grid expansion spark energy transition, land rush in Nevada

Boulder City, Nev., was founded to house a workforce to build the Hoover Dam and electrify the Southwestern U.S. Now, as severe drought imperils the iconic New Deal-era hydroelectric plant, the sunbaked town 20 miles south of Las Vegas is at the center of the region's next renewable energy building boom.

➤ SoCalGas proposes nation's largest green hydrogen infrastructure system

Southern California Gas Co. will seek to develop the nation's largest green hydrogen infrastructure system, a key part of a plan to establish a green hydrogen hub in the Los Angeles area.

➤ Tri-State strife over cost, coal highlights energy transition challenge

Competing visions for the future of energy are chipping away at Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Inc.'s sprawling wholesale cooperative, which stretches from wealthy Denver suburbs to small-town New Mexico and remote Wyoming cattle ranches.

➤ Certified gas offers low-cost way to cut methane emissions, industry players say

The trade of natural gas certified as lower in planet-warming emissions could provide utilities with a critical emissions control tool while other technologies mature, industry officials said.

➤ Waving goodbye to nuclear, Belgium in 'guerrilla dispute' over energy future

Belgium plans to close its nuclear energy chapter for good with the shutdown of all remaining reactors in 2025. But the phaseout is far from clear-cut and permitting challenges around new gas-fired capacity could make the transition away from nuclear difficult.

CHART SPOTLIGHT

Asia was the top destination for coal leaving Norfolk, Va., Baltimore and Seattle in the final quarter of 2021. Of the 13.0 million tons of coal shipped from those three ports, 7.4 Mt went to countries in Asia.

MARKETS & FINANCE

Engagement beats divestment for ESG outcomes – Vanguard executive

Supply chain, logistics bottlenecks bite into SolarEdge profits

Pipeline constraints to keep US natural gas prices high even if oil hits $100/b

Okla. utilities allowed to securitize February 2021 storm costs

Statkraft profits surge nearly 360% in 2021 on high Nordic power prices

POLICY & REGULATION

Court deals setback to Biden climate plans in striking down carbon cost measure

Democrats aim to steer building electrification rebates through policy roadblock

Overhaul of Mass. building energy code disappoints gas ban backers

Advocates for certified gas say 'the measurement economy is coming'

Republican lawmakers advance bill to repeal Va. clean energy law

PROJECTS & INFRASTRUCTURE

13 GW of wind, solar, battery delays hit US clean energy transition

US offshore wind pipeline reaches 30.7 GW

Grid task force's dilemma: Everyone wants more power lines; no one wants to pay

Major gas pipelines face 5.3 million Dth/d of expiring contracts in Q1

Emera CEO says wind, batteries, transmission critical to Nova Scotia coal exit

OPERATIONS & STRATEGY

Constellation expects to be 'player' in clean hydrogen market, CEO says

FirstEnergy touts shareholder settlement as latest step in transformation

Market turbulence forces EDPR to renegotiate, raise renewable contract prices

Spain's Naturgy plans 'profound' split to drive energy transition growth

NorthWestern looks to de-risk Mont. capacity deficit amid supply disruptions