Malcolm Woolf’s Post

The article discusses the conflict between NextEra Energy, a leading green energy developer, and a project to bring Canadian hydropower to New England via a transmission line. NextEra has actively opposed the project through legal and regulatory challenges, arguing that new transmission projects should support U.S. power generation. This opposition has sparked debates about the role of large energy companies in the transition to clean energy and the importance of collaborative approaches in developing infrastructure projects that align with climate goals and avoid lengthy delays due to competition. For a detailed exploration of the dynamics at play, you can read the full article on Politico #seetheopportunityineverydifficulty #utilities #transmission #transmissionplanning https://lnkd.in/e3EvqU8s

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm has expressed support for fast approvals and further action on the Mountain Valley Pipeline. This 300-mile pipeline, currently facing legal challenges, aims to transport 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day from northern West Virginia to the mid-Atlantic region. Granholm suggests the pipeline could aid the clean energy transition and ensure energy reliability. Its completion would impact the North American natural gas industry, environmental groups, and companies like Duke Energy Corporation, which plans to switch from coal to natural gas for power generation. Granholm's backing of the Mountain Valley Pipeline has significant implications for the North American natural gas industry, including: Clean Energy Transition: The pipeline is seen as a potential contributor to the shift from coal to natural gas in the clean energy transition, reducing #emissions and promoting cleaner #energy sources. Energy Reliability: Granholm emphasizes the importance of a robust pipeline network for maintaining energy #reliability and #security, especially during extreme weather events. Legal and Environmental Challenges: The pipeline faces opposition from environmental groups concerned about its impact on waterways and greenhouse gas emissions. Ongoing legal battles highlight the need to balance #infrastructure development with environmental #sustainability. Economic Interests: Beyond industry interests, state leaders reportedly also support the pipeline for its potential economic benefits. Coal industry leaders, on the other hand, appear to oppose it as it will challenge coal’s role in the region. We can’t wait to discuss the industry’s current obstacles, future opportunities and create a common ground of action at the North American Gas Forum this October. Read more about this news story from last month: https://lnkd.in/geDjRwvK Learn more about the North American Gas Forum: https://lnkd.in/bxBM_jW #nagf #energysecurity #jointhedialogue #natgas #gas

As the global population grows and electrical demand increases, along with the enhanced need for renewable energy sources of power, the #grid is maxing out. Carbon can be the cure if applied in the right form, from the right sources, and in the right assets.

Can we build on the advances made with the infrastructure bill and the CHIPS and Science Act, or will partisanship continue to prevent action? Areas of potential include a new farm bill, critical minerals policy, energy permitting reform, natural gas infrastructure legislation, and carbon border adjustment measures. The current farm bill expires on Sept. 30, making it one of the key agenda items for this Congress. Thankfully, conservation and energy programs supporting the long-term productivity of farm and forest lands have traditionally enjoyed broad bipartisan support. Read Sasha Mackler's op-ed on bipartisan opportunities for energy policy in the new Congress: https://bpcdc.org/41so0jk #Bipartisan #Energy #Congress

It's Day Three at FONOM, and regional municipal leaders are now listening in on an Ontario Power Generation led discussion re: energy management and supply strategies. The panel and audience are discussing the role NEW hydroelectric could play - helping the Province of Ontario meet it's projected increases in demand, while addressing the shortfalls in supply. Key considerations include the need to achieve broader ESG objectives (including Indigenous engagement, environmental protection and grid decarbonization), while facilitating sustainable economic growth, on our collective path to #NetZeroEmissions

It's increasingly obvious that the CleanBC Roadmap (the BC Government's climate change plan) is based on a faulty premise -- that we have an "abundant" supply of clean, renewable electricity. Unfortunately, we don't. Instead, we will be importing more electricity from the USA and Alberta while we are attempting to meet the CleanBC requirements, such as 90% EV vehicles in less than 6 years, and no new natural gas connections for home heating by 2030. By the way, the claim that electricity imported from California is from "excess" solar power is puzzling, as that state is not self-sufficient (for years they have imported 30% of their required electricity annually). Of the electricity generated within California, almost 50% comes from coal and natural gas, and less than 20% comes from solar energy. https://lnkd.in/gREGsEvU

It's not puzzling at all if you follow electricity trade in the Western Energy Imbalance Market and have observed California's generation profile. The addition of large amounts of solar has created a mid-day surplus that is exported, and that's been what Powerex has been acquiring for BC. See https://lnkd.in/g_fTkZ82 Throughout 2023 "Powerex consistently imported surplus solar generation during midday hours. "As the historic drought in [British Columbia] has worsened, Powerex has increased the hourly magnitude of its purchases in the Western EIM, and has done so across most of the day," Bechard said in the letter. Buying from the WEIM has helped BC Hydro conserve water to ensure it can meet peak customer demand and future power-purchase agreements, he said. Earlier this year, Powerex signed a long-term contract to deliver firm, zero-emission energy to Microsoft's new data center complex in central Washington." A jurisdiction can be both self-sufficient and engage in electricity trading. In fact, doing so offers greater reliability and resiliency at lower cost to ratepayers. If the Energy Futures Initiative is interested in engaging in discussion and dialogue on the future of energy for BC, it should brush up on its understanding before weighing in.