August 31 NEC Energy News
¶ “Hope In Michigan: One Policy, Big Impact” • The Michigan legislature appears to be pursuing a clean energy standard that requires 60% of utility electricity be from renewable or nuclear energy by 2030, and 100% by 2035. This is more ambitious than what was first proposed, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she will support that effort. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Hochul Inks Indian Point Bill But Radiological Waste Debate Rages On” • The owners of the shuttered Indian Point nuclear plant planned to dump a million gallons of radiological water into the Hudson River. State Senator Pete Harckham introduced a bill to make such a discharge illegal. Now the bill is passed, and Governor Hochul has signed it into law. [Yahoo News]
¶ “Xcel Energy Seeks License Extension For Monticello Nuclear Plant” • The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission granted Xcel Energy approval to extend operations of the Monticello nuclear plant through 2040, increasing the storage of spent nuclear fuel at the site. The utility is also asking the NRC to extend the plant’s license. [Power Engineering]
¶ “The Race Is On To Tap A Source Of Clean Energy Beneath Our Feet” • Hot, dry rocks lie below the surface everywhere on the planet. And by using advanced drilling techniques developed by the oil and gas industry, some experts think it’s possible to tap that larger store of heat and create geothermal energy almost anywhere. [The Japan Times]
¶ “What’s A Fair Tax On EV Drivers? It’s Debatable, But Texas Is Definitely Gouging Us” • Road construction and maintenance is largely funded by gasoline taxes, so a car that uses no gasoline is not paying its fair share of costs. In Texas, a one-time $400 fee when an EV is purchased plus an annual $200 fee going forward covers this – and then some. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Deadly Tropical Storm Idalia Floods Parts Of South Carolina After Pummeling Florida” • Idalia weakened to a tropical storm as it dumped heavy rain, unleashed strong winds and knocked out power in parts of southern Georgia and the Carolinas, just hours after pummeling Florida’s west coast and inundating communities there with floodwater. [CNN]
¶ “Alliant Energy Reports Over 50% Of Energy From Renewable Sources” • Alliant Energy, the third-largest windpower operator in the US, increased production by 25% from 2021 levels. Its Iowa utility increased the share of renewable energy to its customers by double digits, raising the percentage of renewable energy for retail customers to 52.7%. [Corridor Business Journal]
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