U.S. States and Companies Drive Clean Energy Momentum
Big changes are afoot in the U.S. as states and companies take significant steps towards clean energy and climate action. A new report suggests that major retailers could halve their electricity needs with rooftop solar, while Minnesota Democrats propose a $1 billion investment in climate and clean energy initiatives from a budget surplus. Meanwhile, Illinois is pushing for greater diversity in renewable energy projects, and MidAmerican Energy aims to meet all of its Iowa customers' annual needs with renewable generation.
The report, by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, shows that big box stores in the U.S. could generate half of their electricity needs with rooftop solar installations. This would significantly reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
In Minnesota, Democrats have proposed using $1 billion from a projected $7.7 billion budget surplus to fund climate and clean energy initiatives. The plan includes installing charging stations to support 2 million electric vehicles, a move that could significantly reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
Illinois is also taking steps to improve diversity in renewable energy projects. A new piece of legislation requires annual reports on the use of minority-owned suppliers, ensuring that these businesses have a fair chance to participate in the growing clean energy economy.
MidAmerican Energy has proposed a $3.9 billion project to build over 2,000 MW of wind and 50 MW of solar capacity in Iowa. The project aims to match all of the company's Iowa customers' annual energy needs with renewable generation, a significant step towards a clean energy future.
Sixteen cities in Minnesota have declared a climate emergency, spurring state lawmakers to take action. The state is also seeing interest from companies like Knobelsdorff Enterprises, which has submitted an offer to build solar projects with capacities ranging from 25 to 100 MW DC, including in Minnesota.
In Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's draft statewide climate plan calls for closing all coal plants by 2035 and reaching 50% renewables by 2030. This ambitious plan would significantly reduce the state's reliance on fossil fuels and help combat climate change.
However, not all news is positive. In Wisconsin, environmental groups have filed a lawsuit over recently approved rates for Madison Gas and Electric. The groups argue that fixed charges in the rates are illegal and discriminatory.
These initiatives and proposals highlight the growing momentum for clean energy and climate action across the U.S. From Minnesota's investment in climate and clean energy to MidAmerican Energy's ambitious renewable energy project, states and companies are taking significant steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. However, as seen in Wisconsin, there are still challenges and obstacles to overcome. Despite these hurdles, the future of clean energy in the U.S. looks bright.
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