08.30 Good Clean Energy News
Feds Award Offshore Wind Leases
The federal government has awarded two new offshore wind leases off the mid-Atlantic coast, bringing in over $92 million. These projects, near Delaware and Virginia, could power nearly 2.3 million homes.
Read more: Feds award two giant offshore wind leases off mid-Atlantic coast - Maryland Matters
Dominion Energy Wins 2nd Wind Lease
Dominion Energy has secured a second offshore wind lease off the Virginia coast for $17.65 million, positioning it to generate an additional 4 gigawatts of electricity. This expansion brings Dominion closer to meeting Virginia’s Clean Economy Act goals and addresses rising energy demands.
Read more: Dominion wins second offshore wind lease area with lone bid • Virginia Mercury
Polestar Begins U.S. Production
Swedish EV maker Polestar has started producing its Polestar 3 SUV in South Carolina. This is the first Polestar EV manufactured in the U.S. and it's expanding made-in-America EV options for consumers.This is the first Polestar EV manufactured in the U.S. and it's expanding made-in-America EV options for consumers.
Read more: Swedish EV maker Polestar starts U.S. production, avoiding heavy tariffs | Reuters
6,000 Sheep to Graze Solar Farms
In Texas, 6,000 sheep will soon be grazing on 10,000 acres of solar farms, thanks to a partnership between Texas Solar Sheep and Enel North America. This largest solar grazing project in the U.S. reduces mowing costs, lowers emissions, and benefits the sheep with cooler, shaded grazing areas. This initiative is a part of the growing trend of agrivoltaics, where solar energy and agriculture coexist to boost sustainability.
Read more: 6,000 sheep will soon be grazing on 10,000 acres of… | Canary Media
St. Paul Project to Build Net-Zero Homes
A 147-unit Habitat for Humanity project in St. Paul, Minnesota, is underway, aiming to create one of the Midwest's largest net-zero communities. The development will feature all-electric homes powered by solar and geothermal energy, eliminating the need for natural gas. Supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, this project will reduce utility costs and carbon emissions, while providing affordable housing in a historically underserved neighborhood.
Wind Power Outpaces Coal in U.S. for Two Months
For the first time, wind turbines generated more electricity than coal plants across the U.S. for two consecutive months, March and April 2024. This marks a significant shift as renewable energy costs decline and coal is phased out by cleaner options like wind and natural gas. Federal incentives and state mandates are accelerating this transition, making wind a major player in the nation's energy mix.
Read more: Wind Beat Coal Two Months in a Row for U.S. Electricity Generation - The New York Times
Sources
Kurtz, Josh, and Charlie Paullin. "Feds Award Two Giant Offshore Wind Leases off Mid-Atlantic Coast." Maryland Matters, 14 Aug. 2024, https://marylandmatters.org/2024/08/14/feds-award-two-giant-offshore-wind-leases-in-the-mid-atlantic/?utm_medium=email.
Paullin, Charlie. "Dominion Wins Second Offshore Wind Lease Area with Lone Bid." Virginia Mercury, 14 Aug. 2024, https://virginiamercury.com/2024/08/14/dominion-wins-second-offshore-wind-lease-area-with-lone-bid/?utm_medium=email.
Roy, Abhirup, and Marie Mannes. "Swedish EV Maker Polestar Starts U.S. Production, Avoiding Heavy Tariffs." Reuters, 15 Aug. 2024, https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/swedish-ev-maker-polestar-starts-us-production-avoiding-heavy-tariffs-2024-08-14/?utm_medium=email.
Klein, Carrie. "6,000 Sheep Will Soon Be Grazing on 10,000 Acres of Texas Solar Fields." Canary Media, 16 Aug. 2024, https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/6-000-sheep-will-soon-be-grazing-on-10-00-acres-of-texas-solar-fields?utm_medium=email.
Jossi, Frank. "A St. Paul, Minnesota Habitat for Humanity Project Will Offer Affordable Housing Without Fossil Fuels." Energy News Network, 16 Aug. 2024, https://energynews.us/2024/08/16/a-st-paul-minnesota-project-will-offer-affordable-housing-without-fossil-fuels/?utm_medium=email.
Kim, Minho. "Wind Beat Coal Two Months in a Row for U.S. Electricity Generation." The New York Times, 15 Aug. 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/15/climate/wind-power-coal.html?utm_medium=email.
