The nation’s largest electrical grid operator has approved a new process for adding power plants to the sprawling transmission system it manages, including a two-year pause on reviewing and potentially approving some 1,200 projects, mostly solar power, that are part of a controversial backlog.
See the full story at Inside Climate News.
More DMV News
Montgomery County Council Approves Bill Aimed at Increasing Environmental Sustainability by Ensuring Energy-Efficient Improvements for Buildings
Montgomery County Press Release
The Montgomery County Council unanimously passed legislation, which will help the County meet its climate goals. The bill focuses on energy-efficiency improvements for buildings usage and expands Montgomery County’s environmental benchmarking law to include County-owned, commercial and multifamily buildings to meet long-term energy performance standards.
Virginia’s Energy Transition: More Power from the Sun Than from Coal in 2021
WVTF
Virginia was number four in the country among the states in installation of solar facilities, and in 2021 Virginia actually generated more electricity from solar energy than from coal.
Metro Details Plans on Transition to Zero-Emission Bus Fleet
WMATA
New details of Metro’s Zero-Emission Bus Transition Plan, presented at this week’s meeting of the Board of Directors, outline how the agency will transition to a zero-emission bus fleet including testing and evaluation, infrastructure and facility upgrades, and procurement efforts.
Montgomery County Will Map Urban Heat Islands and Heat Inequities This Summer
Maryland Matters
Montgomery County is undertaking a project to map out various temperatures of its neighborhoods as a part of a national effort to keep track of heat inequities and find solutions for the county’s urban heat islands.
National and International News
US Transportation Sector Could Cut Carbon Emissions 34% by 2030: Analysis
Utility Dive
State, local and federal emissions policies already in place will reduce carbon emissions from U.S. transportation sources in 2030 by 19% from 2019 levels. But additional action could further reduce transport emissions, bringing the country closer to meeting President Joe Biden’s overall goal of a 50% to 52% reduction in U.S. carbon emissions by 2030.
What are the Most Effective Ways to Get Cars Out of Cities?
The Guardian
Getting cars out of cities has become an international focus. But city officials, planners, and citizens still do not have a clear, evidence-based answer to the question: what works to reduce car use in cities? Using real-world data, the Guardian has ranked the most successful measures European cities have introduced.
Washington State to Require Electric Heating in Building Code Update
S&P Global
Washington will require all-electric space and water heating in new commercial and multifamily construction, making it the first state to incorporate building electrification mandates into statewide energy codes.
As Congress Returns, Google Proposes Legislative Action to Help it and Others to Achieve 24/7 Clean Energy
Utility Dive
Google has sketched out a policy road map to enable global decarbonization of its data centers, calling for rapid deployment of new technologies, markets that value clean energy, and policies to empower customer choice.
New Rules Will End the Century-Long Run of Classic Light Bulbs
New York Times
After lighting the nation’s homes and businesses for more than a century, transforming the design of buildings, and even lengthening the average workday, incandescent light bulbs are finally on their way out.