My two cents. In a new format for our podcast, Frank and I got to digest the elections a bit. Of course we talked about the Federal implications but mostly we talked about the State initiatives in FL, NV and AZ. Florida in particular has an interesting twist. We should never have been there. The ballot question was defensive in the beginning because a group wanted to put a solar amendment on the ballot. Unless you have $20million in the bank, do me a favor and stop talking about a ballot amendment. Part 2 of the podcast out later today.
The new freedom fries? Nicolas Sarkozy, who is making another run for President in France, said that if the USA were to leave the Paris Agreement, Europe should tax US imports to make up for the carbon cost. Until this moment, there was little economic repercussion obvious for leaving the climate deal but here you go. Follow the money, always.
Coal was just a tool. Don’t take it from me, listen to the Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell. Admitting that the vibrant coal sector was lost due to private sector activity, McConnell says we must now focus on helping the communities rebuild in a post-coal economy.
A sunny 2030 goal. Sunshot crushed their 2020 goals well in advance and now it is stepping up to the next level. In line with the manufacturing goals, Sunshot is seeking a 60% drop in utility-scale solar LCOE down to $0.03/kWh. Don’t expect much DOE money to get added to the budget going forward, time for a private Sunshot fund to come out. They’ve done quite well and it’s time it gets replicated.
Environmental consequences. When you get scared about the environmental regulations for the future, drive right past the White House and head to Capitol Hill. The rules that make up the Clean Air and Water Acts, PURPA, ITC and more, it gets done at the Hill. Hope for the best and plan for the worst.
- SolarWakeup: News Roundtable: Presidential Election 2016 and State Solar Votes (Podcast)
- Think Progress: McConnell finally admits ending ‘war on coal’ might not bring back jobs
- PV-Magazine: SunEdison pushes back on TerraForm settlement proposal
- Vox: Most people are wildly underestimating what Trump’s win will mean for the environment
- Grist: Nicolas Sarkozy proposed a carbon tax on American-made goods if Trump pulls out of climate accord
- Recharge News: US DOE sets $0.03/kWh target for utility-scale PV in 2030
- Reuters: Morocco to tender for 800 MW solar plants by start of 2017
- Quartz: India wants to become a solar superpower, but its dependence on toxic coal says otherwise
Opinion
Have a great day!
Yann