“[The clean energy] industry wants a reliable and a growing workforce, and that only happens when we make sure people have access to health care,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association.
CLEAN ENERGY
Must Be Equitable
Clean energy workers organize for reproductive rights. Across the clean energy sector, workers are demanding their employers commit to protecting reproductive rights that are in jeopardy from the recent Supreme Court ruling. This issue is especially acute in the solar industry, where many of the fastest-growing states for solar also have some of the most restrictive anti-choice laws. A coalition of industry workers published a letter this week proposing ways for the clean energy industry to clarify and expand benefits to safeguard reproductive rights, like covering travel expenses for out-of-state medical care. (Canary Media)
CLEAN ENERGY
Is Affordable
Renewables insulated from rising power prices. While the cost of renewable energy has risen marginally due to inflation and supply chain issues, renewables remain more affordable than fossil fuels. Rising clean energy costs represent a reversal of the long-standing trend of falling costs, but global oil & gas price spikes have significantly outpaced the small price increase in the renewables sector. As a result, the cost difference between renewables and oil & gas has continued to widen despite headwinds. (Bloomberg $)
CLEAN ENERGY
Is A Good Investment
Clean energy is outcompeting coal worldwide. Nearly two-thirds of the new renewable energy capacity added last year had lower costs than the cheapest coal-powered energy in G20 countries, according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA). From 2020 to 2021, the cost of onshore and offshore wind declined 15 and 13 percent, respectively, and the cost of solar also fell 13 percent. Given rising oil & gas prices, IRENA estimates that solar and wind power saved Europe $50 billion in fossil fuel import costs from January to May. (Reuters)
EV sales set new record in Q2. U.S. sales of electric vehicles climbed 66 percent in the second quarter of the year, setting a new record even in the face of supply shortages and inflation. U.S. customers bought over 195,000 EVs during that period, bringing total sales for the first half of 2022 to over 370,000 electric cars and trucks. Electric vehicles now represent 5.6 percent of the total U.S. vehicle market, more than double the 2.7 percent share they had last year. This rise in sales comes as oil & gas prices make gas-powered vehicles three to five times more expensive to drive. (Utility Dive)
CLEAN ENERGY
Is Replacing Fossil Fuels
Retired coal plants find new life as clean energy hubs. Thanks to their advantage of already being connected to the grid, coal plants across the U.S. are being redeveloped as solar, battery, and other clean energy projects. The costs and long timelines of interconnection have become key bottlenecks for new clean energy generation, and have led clean energy developers to scout sites where they can tap into existing power lines. In Illinois alone, nine coal plants are on track to become solar farms and battery storage facilities within the next three years, and similar projects are being planned nationwide. (New York Times $)
Solar power is bailing out the Texas grid. Over the last several weeks, Texas’ grid has been strained by extreme heat and the resulting electricity demand to keep air conditioners running — and solar power has been key to keeping the grid online. Solar arrays have expanded rapidly in Texas, nearly doubling capacity compared to last year, and experts say they are a critical and affordable bulwark for the grid while traditional energy sources have been underperforming. Solar power has the added benefit of roughly matching demand for air conditioning, since it produces the most energy on the hottest and sunniest days. (Texas Monthly)
CLEAN ENERGY
Is Challenging
Climate targets face major technical and political challenges. Two reports warn U.S. climate targets are under threat, writes the Washington Post. Research firm Rhodium Group finds that the policy on the books today puts the U.S. on an emissions reduction path significantly short of President Biden’s climate targets, while financial analysis group S&P Global finds a looming copper shortage could threaten the supply of clean energy technologies. These studies come at a moment of political intransigence on climate policy, as Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) has come out against climate and energy measures, the Associated Press reports. Manchin’s support is critical to passing anything through the Senate in the face of full Republican opposition, so his resistance to new climate policy means another Congressional session could pass without climate action. (Washington Post $, Associated Press)
