Our May 2021 Power Generation & Supply Market Recap is a snapshot of the data and information we curate. We share industry drivers, notable projects, recent mergers and acquisitions, interesting reads, and updates on upcoming meetings and conferences.
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Industry Drivers
Our data team tracks new and updated industry drivers. Here are some recent drivers we have been following this month:
SB1086 - An Act Amending the Environmental Protection Act
Status: Effective
Organization: Illinois State Legislature
Summary: On May 14, 2021, an Act to amend the Environmental Protection Act was introduced before the Illinois State legislature. The part of the bill that was amended deals with provisions regarding CCR surface impoundments. Now, the bill states that the permit issued by the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, shall be considered to be a permit under State provisions. This Act is effective immediately.
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California Senate Bill 423
Status: Proposed
Organization: California State Legislature
Summary: On May 24, 2021, a bill to enforce the state board and Energy Commission to timely include emerging renewable energy and firm zero-carbon resources into its energy and resource planning processes, was introduced before the California legislature. The 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018 requires the PUC to establish resource adequacy requirements for all load-serving entities, including electrical corporations, electric service providers, and community choice aggregators. This bill would require the PUC to guarantee that the resource adequacy requirements result in the load-serving entities having sufficient resources to maintain reliable electrical service during multi day extreme or atypical weather events.
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Texas Pollinator-Smart Program
Status: Proposed
Organization: Texas State Legislature
Summary: On May 26, 2021, the Texas legislature passed a bill related to establishing the Texas Pollinator-Smart program for solar energy sites. The Program shall develop and implement the Texas Pollinator-Smart program to encourage the voluntary establishment and conservation of habitats for bees, birds, and other pollinators in and near solar energy sites.
Arizona Regulators Adopt Revamped Clean-Energy Rules
Status: Effective
Organization: Arizona Corporation Commission
Summary: On May 26, 2021, the Arizona Corporation Commission held a Special Open Meeting where new rules that would require Arizona utilities to get 100% of their energy from carbon-free sources by the end of 2070 were voted 3-2. Under these rules, utilities must reach 100% carbon-free power by 2070 in five steps, beginning with 50% by the end of 2032, rising to 65% by 2040, and reaching 80% by 2050. The utilities would have to get a 95% carbon cut by the end of 2060 and 100% by 2070.
Contact FirmoGraphs For More Information.
National Institutes of Clean Energy Act
Status: Proposed
Organization: U.S. House
Summary: On May 28, 2021, the National Institutes of Clean Energy Act was introduced in the House of Representatives. The Act would finance $400 billion over the next ten years to establish and operate a new Institute housed in the Department of Energy that focuses on research and development of advanced clean energy technologies.
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Nevada Passes Clean Energy Bill Requiring State to Join RTO
Status: Proposed
Organization: Nevada State Legislature
Summary: On May 29, 2021, the Nevada State legislature passed Senate Bill 488. The bill proposes speeding up the construction of an enormous transmission project, increasing investments for electric vehicle infrastructure, and requiring that the state join a regional transmission organization (RTO) by 2030.
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Notable Projects
We track notable projects from the proposal stage to becoming effective. Here are some of the recent notable projects we have been tracking.
$250 Million Backbone Solar Project
Type: Solar Generation
Status: Proposed
Organization: CPB Backbone Solar, LLC
Scale: 175 megawatts (MW)
Summary: On April 27, 2021, the CPV Backbone Solar, LLC submitted its application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to construct a 175MW solar photovoltaic generating facility before the PUC of Maryland. The Backbone Solar Project is a 175 MW AC solar PV project involving a limit of construction of about 1,170 acres, consisting of a solar array and associated interconnection facilities. The Project will involve a capital investment of approximately $250 million. Construction is expected to occur during the period from May 2022 to August 2023.
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Final Decision on $51.6 Million Arcadian Substation Rebuild Project
Type: Electricity
Status: Approved
Organization: American Transmission Company, LLC (ATC)
Summary: On May 12, 2021, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin released its final decision about the application of ATC regarding the authority to rebuild its existing Arcadian Substation in the City of New Berlin, Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The proposed project is necessary to replace obsolete and/or poorly performing assets to ensure long-term system reliability. As part of the project, ATC also proposed reconfiguring the substation to a breaker-and-a-half scheme. The reconfiguration of the bus will provide appropriate operational and reliable performance. ATC initially filed its application on December 3, 2020, and the application was granted.
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$82 Million 2021-2023 Washington Pipeline Replacement Plan
Type: Pipeline
Status: Proposed
Organization: Enable Gas Transmission, LLC
Summary: On May 18, 2021, the Enable Gas Transmission, LLC (EGT) submitted before the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) its Prior Notice of Blanket Certificate Activity for the Taylor Compressor Station Retirement Project. EGT proposes to abandon in place seven 1,500 horsepower compressor units and facilities located at its Taylor Compressor Station. EGT further proposes removing mainline valve #15 on Line S and installing about 30 feet of 20-inch pipe in its place. All major and minor additional facilities, including the compressor station fuel meter and additional fuel meter, will also be removed. Electrical connections to the units will also be disconnected. EGT will install a new transmitter on the existing meter on Line S. Upon completing the abandonment work, the compressor units and supporting facilities will remain in place and used for spare parts. EGT will continue operating and maintaining the existing office building, station yard, and fence line. The estimated cost for this project is $30.2 million.
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$30.2 Million Taylor Compressor Station Retirement Project
Type: Pipeline
Status: Proposed
Organization: Enable Gas Transmission, LLC
Summary: On May 18, 2021, the Enable Gas Transmission, LLC (EGT) submitted before the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) its Prior Notice of Blanket Certificate Activity for the Taylor Compressor Station Retirement Project. EGT proposes to abandon in place seven 1,500 horsepower compressor units and facilities located at its Taylor Compressor Station. EGT further proposes removing mainline valve #15 on Line S and installing about 30 feet of 20-inch pipe in its place. All major and minor additional facilities, including the compressor station fuel meter and additional fuel meter, will also be removed. Electrical connections to the units will also be disconnected. EGT will install a new transmitter on the existing meter on Line S. Upon completing the abandonment work, the compressor units and supporting facilities will remain in place and used for spare parts. EGT will continue operating and maintaining the existing office building, station yard, and fence line. The estimated cost for this project is $30.2 million.
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Notable M&A
The following M&A transactions in the Power Generation and Supply Industry stand out in the month of May:
- On May 24, 2021, Ormat Technologies agreed to acquire two geothermal assets in Nevada and a transmission line from TG Geothermal Portfolio for $377 million.
- On May 4, 2021, PSEG agreed to sell the PSEG Solar Source portfolio to Quattro Solar.
- On May 4, 2021, Tri Global Energy announced the sale of Appaloosa Run, a 175 MW West Texas wind project.
What We Are Reading
Here are some recent articles our team has been reading:
- Tuscon Electric Power Brings Wilmot Energy Center Online
- Arizona Public Service Expands RFP for Additional Solar Energy
- Dominion Energy Virginia issues RFPs for wind, solar and energy storage projects
- Evergy to close coal plant near Lawrence as part of its plan to cut carbon emissions
- Dominion Energy Virginia approved to launch nine solar facilities to supply nearly 500 MW
- EDF Renewables North America Awarded Three Contracts for Solar Projects in New York
- Massachusetts seeks up to 1,600 MW of additional offshore wind power
- U.S. approves first big offshore wind farm, an Avangrid Renewables joint venture
- NREL app expected to significantly speed up US residential solar permitting
- FLP’s latest 74.5-MW solar project is generating and online
- Coal transported to the U.S. electric power sector declined by 22% in 2020
- TVA begins steps to shut down its biggest coal plant
- Florida Power & Light opens new Rodeo Solar Energy Center
- U.S. developers install 3,800 MW of clean power in first quarter of 2021
- American Electric Power Service Corporation Seeks Bids For Coal
- Deal to shut down Indian Point nuclear plant in New York gets final go-ahead
- 1.5C means no new fossil fuels, says the IEA
- 50 MW of new solar capacity coming soon to Rhode Island
- Cardinal Operating Company Solicits Coal Bids for Ohio Power Facility
- Biden decarbonization focus shifts to buildings, aiming to triple efficiency
- New renewable energy transmission line will bring substation to Graham County
Meeting Planner
Organizations have shifted their event strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are tracking these changing meeting plans.
Meetings in May and June 2021
- APPA - National Conference - 2021, June 20 - June 23, 2021
- SEPA Solar and Energy Storage Northeast - 2021 - June 9 - June 10, 2021
- IEEE - PES - Transportation Electrification Conference and Expo - 2021, June 21 - June 25, 2021
- ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry - 2021, July 13 - July 15, 2021
- ESNA Energy Storage North America Conference and Exhibition - 2021 - July 14 - July 16, 2021
- ASME Power Conference - 2021 - July 20 - July 22, 2021
Early Birds Registration
- Event: ESNA Energy Storage North America Conference and Exhibition
Dates: July 14 - July 16, 2021
Date for Early Registration: July 3, 2021
