Community solar may soon be a possibility in Ohio if new legislation advances. Photo: James St. John
Ohio Republicans introduce bill to start community solar pilot program
Columbus, Ohio
Two Republican state representatives introduced a bill in Ohio that would allow for the development of community solar facilities under a statewide pilot program. HB 197 would pave the way for 1,500 MW of community solar and award special grants to brownfield projects.
DOE announces solar workforce development program awardees
Washington, D.C.
The Dept. of Energy announced 12 projects selected for negotiation to launch training partnerships that expand the solar energy workforce in underserved and underrepresented communities across the country. The projects involve two SPW Top Solar Contractors and the Amicus O&M Cooperative.
IRS releases guidance on direct pay and transferability under IRA
Washington, D.C.
The Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations and frequently asked questions about the direct pay and transferability options in the Inflation Reduction Act. The guidance outlines who’s applicable for these incentives and how to claim them on tax returns.
House Ways and Means Committee proposes repeal of IRA in new tax bill
Washington, D.C.
The House Ways and Means Committee has proposed a repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act in its Build It in America Act. It’s unlikely to advance, but it’s the second attempt by the GOP-led House of Representatives to repeal the IRA this year.
Majority of states get low grades on clean energy interconnection policies
The USA
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council released its Freeing the Grid interconnection grades, which rate each state in the nation on the quality of its interconnection policies. Of the 39 states and territories that have statewide interconnection procedures, only New Mexico received an A for its interconnection rules.
Interesting and sometimes ironic, political moves across the U.S.. Announcements of abrogating the IRA by the Ways and Means Committee and replacing this with (Build it in America Act). Right now materials for batteries, raw to refined feedstocks and foundries for silicon both monocrystalline and crystalline are pretty much all in China. It is a sophomoric lie to tell the public that something “titled” Build it in America Act will make the U.S. spontaineously ‘combust’ into the World leader of manufacturing and supply chains. Just like the foolish labeled IRA, Inflation, Reduction Act.
Now in Ohio two ‘Republican’ Legislators are sponsoring a bill HB 197 is fostering in more public solar PV farm construction. The hard core proffering that Republicans are (all) climate change deniers or somehow joined at the shoulder with Big Oil or Big Energy isn’t (always) true.
The DOE creating “training partnerships” sounds really good at first blush, it is yet to be seen how this unfolds, the monetary cost and the end result. Bureaucracy still can destroy the intended value of such “programs”.
“The Interstate Renewable Energy Council released its Freeing the Grid interconnection grades, which rate each state in the nation on the quality of its interconnection policies. Of the 39 states and territories that have statewide interconnection procedures, only New Mexico received an A for its interconnection rules.”
That pretty much says it all. Even the supposed paragon of energy “change” and decarbonization California got a B on their interconnection. What’s sad about this is this has been a “thing” in California since deregulation of the electricity sector was ‘tried” in 1999.