Gov. Gavin Newsom signs slate of clean energy bills into law
Sacramento, California

California’s governor signed a number of clean energy-related bills into law, including one that opens the state’s highways to solar installations. Other signed bills require large companies to disclose carbon emissions and allow the state to make its own clean energy purchases.

North Carolina clean energy advocates file appeal in net-metering case
Raleigh, North Carolina

A coalition of clean energy advocates filed an appeal with the North Carolina Court of Appeals saying the state’s electric utility regulators violated the law when they approved Duke Energy’s new net-metering structure. The coalition says state law required the commission to perform a cost-benefit analysis before changing net metering plans — which it did not do.

Developers and environmental orgs release shared vision on solar deployment
The United States

Solar developers and environmental advocates are often at odds when it comes to land development, but the groups came together for a 20-month dialogue to find a shared vision for the path forward. The outcome was a signed agreement that prioritizes climate, conservation and community.

Report finds more states incentivizing low-income community solar
The United States

The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center’s Q3 review of solar policies in the U.S. observed a trend of states using carve-outs and incentives to promote low-income community solar participation. New Jersey’s permanent community solar program requires all projects to serve at least 51% LMI customers, and two other states are reviewing similar rules for their programs.

Study finds new IRA projects could create over 300,000 construction jobs
The United States

A study by E2 and the BW Research Partnership analyzed the economic benefits of the 210 clean energy and electric vehicle factories and other projects announced across the country in the first year of the Inflation Reduction Act. The report found if all projects were completed, they would create or support 303,500 jobs during the construction phase and 99,600 jobs after the projects are up and running.

New DOE grants help advance smart grid technologies
Washington, D.C. 

The Dept. of Energy awarded $3.5 billion for 58 grid-improving projects as part of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program. The funding is designed to support technologies and services that improve grid flexibility and generate at least 30 GW of clean energy.

DOE releases draft roadmap for streamlining clean energy interconnection
Washington, D.C. 

DOE released a draft roadmap to address interconnection challenges on the transmission grid and is now seeking feedback from the public before a final version is published. The roadmap is intended to serve as a guide for implementing solutions to clean energy interconnection issues and clearing the existing backlog.