Reno Gazette-Journal: Tesla Gigafactory Off-Track on Job, Investment Projections
The Tesla-Panasonic battery Gigafactory is falling far short of the economic impact projections on jobs and capital investment used to persuade lawmakers to approve a record-breaking tax incentive package for the project, according to an analysis by the Reno Gazette-Journal.
According to the review of available public documents, the project has generated just a fraction of the jobs, payroll and capital investment projected for the first year in a study commissioned by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development during the 2014 special session.
Climate Progress: Denmark Just Broke a World Record for Wind Power -- Again
One European country can’t seem to stop breaking records when it comes to wind power. In 2015, Denmark produced almost half of its electricity from wind power, breaking a world record for the most wind production ever recorded -- a world record set last year, by Denmark.
The record 42 percent electricity generated from wind represents a three percent increase from the 39 percent it generated in 2014, which at the time broke the world record for the most electricity from wind production by a single country. According to the Danish national grid operator Energinet, this year’s number represents both the highest figure ever and the highest proportion of electricity from wind for any country.
Bloomberg: RWE Halts $1.4 Billion of Onshore Wind Plans Due to U.K. Policy
RWE AG’s halted about 1 billion pounds ($1.4 billion) of planned onshore wind farms in the U.K. because of government efforts to halt aid and restrict planning for the technology.
RWE’s Innogy renewables division canceled nine planned wind farms in England representing about 250 million pounds' worth of investment, Mike Parker, head of U.K. onshore wind at the utility, said Monday in an interview in London. Another 10 to 12 projects costing 650 million pounds to 800 million pounds in Scotland and Wales have been put on hold, with the utility spending just the bare minimum to maintain legal rights, he said.
San Gabriel Valley Tribune: Edison Gains Approval to Install EV Charging Stations
Southern California Edison has received the go-ahead from state regulators to begin a pilot project to support installation of as many as 1,500 electric-vehicle charging stations in its 50,000-square-mile service area.
The California Public Utilities Commission’s approval clears the way for the utility to begin implementing its $22 million “Charge Ready” program to get more electric-vehicle charging stations installed in locations where people park their cars for extended periods of time, such as workplaces, campuses, recreational areas and apartment and condominium complexes.
Associated Press: Arizona Utility to Study Time-Shifted Rooftop Solar Power
Arizona regulators have given the state's largest electrical utility the go-ahead to explore the idea of time-shifting energy produced through residential rooftop solar.
The Arizona Corporation Commission on Tuesday authorized Arizona Public Service Co. to develop a pilot program to evaluate residential-level energy storage. The commission says the study will explore technologies to help manage customer demand, shift load, and meet system requirements.