RMEL eNews

Industry Information

The U.S. Power Sector is Halfway to Net Zero Emissions, but it Gets Harder Now, Analysts Say

The U.S. power sector's significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation over the past 15 years is an indication of what bolder efforts can be achieved by other economic sectors.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/the-us-power-sector-is-halfway-to-net-zero-emissions-but-it-gets-harder-no/601718/ to view the full article online.

U.S. Wind Plans up to 1.2 GW Expansion off Maryland Coast, Moves to Boost Domestic Supply Chain

Offshore wind developer US Wind has submitted a bid for a new 1,200 MW offshore wind farm, slated for construction adjacent to the company's $77 million MarWin project, which is already set for construction off the coast of Maryland.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/us-wind-plans-up-to-12-gw-expansion-off-maryland-coast-moves-to-boost-dom/604499/ to view the full article online.

RWE Builds 117 MW of Battery Storage Coupled with Run-of-river Hydro

Spread across two locations and coupled with hydropower stations, Germany’s RWE is building a battery storage system with a total capacity of 117 MW, to be installed at its power plants in Lingen (Lower Saxony) and Werne (North Rhine-Westphalia).

Visit https://www.hydroreview.com/business-finance/rwe-builds-117-mw-of-battery-storage-coupled-with-run-of-river-hydro/ to view the full article online.

What’s in Congress’ Infrastructure Bill for Renewable Energy

The Biden administration and leaders in the U.S. Congress unveiled details of the 2,700-page, bipartisan infrastructure package on Sunday that includes $550 billion in new spending.

Visit https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/policy-regulation/whats-in-congress-infrastructure-bill-for-renewable-energy/ to view the full article online.

DOE Announces Intent to Fund Direct Air Capture FEED Studies

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), in collaboration with the Office of Nuclear Energy and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Geothermal Technology Office, issued a notice of intent (NOI) for a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) expected to support front-end engineering design (FEED) studies of direct air capture (DAC) combined with dedicated storage and coupled to existing low-carbon energy.

Visit https://www.energy.gov/fe/articles/doe-announces-intent-fund-direct-air-capture-feed-studies to view the full article online.

SDG&E Announces Wildfire Safety And Resiliency Advancements for 2021 Wildfire Season

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), a recognized industry leader in wildfire safety, unveiled its wildfire mitigation and resiliency advancements in preparation for this year's wildfire season.

Visit https://electricenergyonline.com/article/energy/category/general/90/911578/sdg-e-announces-wildfire-safety-and-resiliency-advancements-for-2021-wildfire-season.html to view the full article online.

Annual Electric Power Industry Report, Form EIA-861 Detailed Data Files

Form EIA-861 and Form EIA-861S (short form) data files include information such as peak load, generation, electric purchases, sales, revenues, customer counts, energy efficiency, demand response, net metering programs, and distributed generation capacity.

Visit https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/ to view the full article online.

Four Ways to put EVs on our Roads Today

If the clean energy industry has shown us anything the past few years, it’s that it’s booming and ready to power our economy long into the future.

Visit https://www.power-grid.com/der-grid-edge/four-ways-to-put-evs-on-our-roads-today/ to view the full article online.

Short of Legislative Lifeline, Exelon’s Dresden, Byron Nuclear Stations Shutting Down in Fall

Exelon will shut down its Byron and Dresden nuclear power plants in Illinois within weeks.

Visit https://www.power-eng.com/nuclear/waste-management-decommissioning/short-of-legislative-lifeline-exelons-dresden-byron-nuclear-stations-shutting-down-in-fall/ to view the full article online.

NYPA Selects Technology Firms to Help Accelerate Intelligence Capabilities

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is expanding its digital footprint by linking with expert technology firms that specialize in artificial intelligence that will help advance NYPA’s strategic clean energy and climate action goals and benefit the utility industry.

Visit https://www.tdworld.com/grid-innovations/asset-management-service/article/21171429/nypa-selects-technology-firms-to-help-accelerate-intelligence-capabilities to view the full article online.

Opening Doors of Opportunity for Women

They used to call Susan Gray “the girl” when she started as an intern at Tucson Electric Power in 1994. Now we call her President and CEO.

Visit https://www.tep.com/news/opening-doors-of-opportunity-for-women/ to view the full article online.

Member Announcements

Austin Energy Boosts EV Fast Charging Stations on Electric Drive

Austin Energy is keeping electric vehicle drivers energized with the deployment of seven new fast chargers at 811 Electric Drive, bringing the total number at this location to eight.

Visit https://austinenergy.com/ae/about/news/news-releases/2021/austin-energy-boosts-ev-fast-charging-stations-on-electric-drive to view the full article online.

Solie Presents on Laramie River Station Project

Kevin Solie, Basin Electric senior environmental compliance administrator, presented at the USWAG (Utility Solid Waste Activities Group) CCR (Coal Combustion Residual) Workshop virtually.

Visit https://www.basinelectric.com/News-Center/news-briefs/Solie-presents-on-Laramie-River-Station-project to view the full article online.

El Paso Electric Launches Customer Advisory Partnership to Drive Collaboration and Innovation

El Paso Electric (EPE) is excited to announce the launch of its newest initiative to help drive innovation and collaboration between EPE and its diverse community.

Visit https://www.epelectric.com/company/news/el-paso-electric-launches-customer-advisory-partnership-to-drive-collaboration-and-innovation to view the full article online.

Information Forums on Decarbonization Scheduled by NPPD

What should Nebraska Public Power District’s carbon reduction initiatives look like in the future? End-use customers of NPPD, and its wholesale public power partners (rural power districts and municipalities), can play a role in making that determination through a series of informational forums to be held during August.

Visit https://www.nppd.com/press-releases/information-forums-on-decarbonization-scheduled-by-nppd to view the full article online.

Newly Released Study Names OPPD a ‘Most Trusted’ Utility

Omaha Public Power District is among the highest-scoring utilities nationwide in a new study related to brand trust.

Visit https://www.oppd.com/news-resources/news-releases/2021/july/newly-released-study-names-oppd-a-most-trusted-utility/ to view the full article online.

Platte River Names New Chief Operating Officer

Following a nationwide search process, Platte River Power Authority recently hired Melie Vincent to serve as the organization’s next chief operating officer (COO).

Visit https://www.prpa.org/news-releases/platte-river-names-new-chief-operating-officer/ to view the full article online.

Teachers Score Big with SRP Learning Grants

It is common for teachers to dig into their bank accounts to buy needed items for their students and classrooms.

Visit https://media.srpnet.com/teachers-score-big-with-srp-learning-grants/ to view the full article online.

Sunflower, Kansas Department of Commerce Partner on Certified Sites

Governor Laura Kelly announced an exciting new partnership between the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Certified Sites program and Kansas-based Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, which will increase the number of shovel-ready development sites Kansas can showcase to developers nationwide.

Visit https://www.sunflower.net/sunflower-kansas-department-of-commerce-partner-on-certified-sites/ to view the full article online.

How to Modernize the Electric Grid: Rethinking Our Vision

Modernization of the electric grid should not be the singular focus of spending in the United States, rather we should also be targeting our efforts and dollars at specific projects that will make the most immediate impacts.

Visit https://www.unitedpower.com/how-modernize-electric-grid to view the full article online.

WAPA’s sUAS Pilot Program Lifts Off

In March, WAPA's Small Unmanned Aircraft System, or sUAS, pilot program reached its conclusion. These units can be used when surveying and inspecting miles of transmission line, saving both time and money, as well as preserving one of WAPA's most valuable assets: the safety of its workers and linemen.

Visit https://www.wapa.gov/newsroom/NewsFeatures/2021/Pages/WAPA%E2%80%99s-sUAS-pilot-program-lifts-off.aspx to view the full article online.

Xcel Energy Boosts Area Communities in 2020

Xcel Energy spent close to $524 million with Texas and New Mexico vendors in 2020 to improve and maintain its extensive electrical system and provided more than $1.1 million in funding to nonprofits working to meet the needs of communities impacted by the pandemic.

Visit https://tx.my.xcelenergy.com/s/about/newsroom/press-release/xcel-energy-boosts-area-communities-in-2020-20Y2R0000008RWLUA2 to view the full article online.

Rocky Mountain Electrical League