[USA] Senate reaches agreement on $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill

On March 25, 2020, the U.S. Senate reached an agreement on a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill, the largest of its kind in U.S. history.[1] However, the package does not include the tax credit extensions and direct pay provisions lobbied for by wind and solar industries to help them withstand the supply-chain and economic disruptions caused by the global crisis.

Prior to the agreement on the stimulus bill, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) warned that a failure to pass provisions for tax credit extensions and direct pay provisions could threaten up to $43 billion in investments.[2] The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has warned that tens of thousands of solar jobs may be at risk from the coronavirus pandemic's economic effects.[3] To be eligible for the full PTC, wind projects must be completed by the end of 2020 and many U.S. projects are at risk of missing this deadline due to disruptions to the supply chain. Solar companies are also under pressure to lock in delivery and possession of key equipment by mid-April to assure they comply with the 5% safe-harbor provisions of the ITC to receive the full credit. In response to the stimulus bill, AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan released a statement that "while [AWEA is] disappointed clean energy sector relief did not make it into the phase three stimulus package, [AWEA] will continue working with Congress and other renewable energy leaders to find solutions to the specific challenges COVID-19 is causing our members."[4]

[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/25/trump-senate-coronavirus-economic-stimulus-2-trillion/

[2] https://www.awea.org/resources/news/2020/american-wind-energy-association-releases-covid-19

[3] https://www.seia.org/coronavirus-information-resources

[4] https://www.awea.org/resources/news/2020/american-wind-energy-association-statement-on-the

[USA] FERC launches revision of transmission incentives

During its monthly meeting on March 19, 2020, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to change electric transmission incentive policy and stimulate transmission infrastructure development.[1] The NOPR would shift from a "risks and challenges" framework to a model that grants transmission incentives based on benefits to consumers. Essentially, the NOPR would eliminate Order No. 679’s “nexus test,” which requires applicants such as utilities to show a connection between the requested incentives and the risks and challenges associated with the project, and instead provide a series of incentives based on economic and reliability benefits. The NOPR stems from a directive from Congress in 2005 that required FERC to develop incentive-based rates for electric transmission because there is a need to buildout and update the transmission system. The commission has previously implemented rules, but the latest NOPR will more fully take into account the changes to transmission since the past decade of rapid energy transition.

Once the notice is published in the Federal Register, there will be a 90 day comment period. Commissioner Richard Glick dissented in part to the order and objected to the 90 day comment period because he thinks it is too brief given the current coronavirus crisis.[2] Instead, he said the comment period should be extend to 120 days to allow for substantial reactions and create more flexibility. However, Chairman Neil Chatterjee wants to "keep the business of the commission going," though he added FERC expects requests for deadline extensions on some of its processes due to the pandemic.

[1] https://www.ferc.gov/media/news-releases/2020/2020-1/03-19-20-E-1.asp#.Xnur5qhKg2x

[2] https://www.ferc.gov/media/statements-speeches/glick/2020/03-19-20-glick.asp#.XnusH6hKg2x

［USA］Massachusetts Set to Launch Clean Peak Standard

On March 20, 2020, Massachusetts’ Department of Energy Resource (DOER) filed its Clean Peak Standard regulations with the appropriate committees at the state legislature, beginning a 30-day review period.[1] The Clean Peak Standard, required by state legislation passed in 2018, creates credits for clean energy delivered during time windows classified as peak hours for a given season. Electricity retailers will be required to procure a minimum percentage of their annual electricity sales from renewable generation or energy storage during peak hours; starting in 2020, the minimum percentage will be 1.5% and will increase annually. Electricity retailers will satisfy these obligations by purchasing Clean Peak Energy Certificates (CPEC), . After short-term costs are considered, the state expects the Clean Peak Standard will save $400 million over the next decade. While other states like Arizona have discussed measures like the Clean Peak Standard, Massachusetts is the first state to put it into effect. The goal of the measure is to create a price signal to shift clean power to the hours it’s most beneficial. Because renewables are intermittent, the Clean Peak Standard may create an opportunity for more energy storage technologies.

[1] https://www.mass.gov/service-details/clean-peak-energy-standard

[Japan] Tohoku Electric Power Issued Green Bond to Expand Renewable Energy Business

Tohoku Electric Power Company, headquartered in Miyagi Prefecture, announced on January 29, 2020 that it has decided to issue a Tohoku Electric Power Green Bond in order to expand its renewable energy business and increase diversified funding procurement.[1] The Green Bond is expected to be issued in February 2020 and will be used for investment and refinancing in renewable energy development, construction, operation, and renovation projects.[2] Tohoku aims to develop 2,000 GW of renewable energy, mainly wind power. The funds raised through the Green Bond will be used mainly for renewable business activities.

To issue the Green Bond, DNV GL Business Assurance Japan K.K. (DNV GL), a third-party certification body headquartered in Kobe City,[3] evaluated and verified the Green Bond’s compliance with various standards related to green bond issuance. A Tokyo-based stock investment and fund management firm, SMBC Nikko Securities,[4] will be mainly responsible for issuing the 10-year green bonds with a total value of JYP 5 billion (app. $ 46 M). Details will be announced at the time of issuance.

Tohoku is the first Japanese former general electricity utility to obtain certification for a Green Bond from the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), an international non-profit organization located in London that sets strict standards for ensuring the reliability and transparency of green bonds.[5]

[1] http://www.tohoku-epco.co.jp/news/normal/1205380_1049.html

[2] http://www.tohoku-epco.co.jp/news/normal/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2020/01/29/1205380_b1.pdf

[3] https://www.dnvgl.jp/about/overview/business_assurance.html

[4] https://www.smbcnikko.co.jp/company/info/profile/index.html

[5] https://www.climatebonds.net/

［USA］Glidepath Ventures Announces 1GW Solar Portfolio Sale

On February 28, 2020, Pennsylvania-based solar developer Glidepath Ventures announced that it sold its first projects: a 278-megawatt, 12-project portfolio to Canada’s Grasshopper Solar and an additional four projects totaling 887-megawatts to an unnamed independent power producer.[1] The majority of the projects bought by Grasshopper Solar are expected to come online in 2021 and 2022. According to Glidepath, the developer will move the projects through the permitting and interconnection processes. Glidepath will then transfer the portfolio to Grasshopper Solar at notice to proceed (NTP), which is a formal notice that construction can begin. Grasshopper Solar will then construct, own, and operate the projects. Grasshopper has committed more than $300 million to the projects and will lead funding.

All of the projects are being developed in Pennsylvania—an unusual choice given that the state only has 475 megawatts of solar installed and is more well known for its fossil fuel production. A partner at Glidepath Ventures, Geoff Underwood, said the company is attracted to places with little political intervention because the market won’t dry up when incentives do. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and WoodMac’s report on solar backs up this claim, stating that long-term solar industry growth after tax credits expire will be “contingent on geographic diversification outside of legacy state markets”.[2]

[1] http://glidepathventures.com/glidepath-ventures-breaks-out-with-1gw-solar-portfolio-sale/

[2] https://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-market-insight-report-2019-q4

［USA］Duke Energy settles with ChargePoint, expanding options for $76M North Carolina EV pilot

On February 28, 2020, Duke Energy filed a settlement with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) that resolves competitive issues raised by ChargePoint, an electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure company that operates the nation's largest charging network, in earlier filings by making modifications to its proposed EV pilot like bringing ChargePoint on board.[1] Prior to these changes, ChargePoint had raised particular concerns that the pilot limits customers’ ability to choose their preferred charging equipment because the original plan was to execute a request for proposals generating a single vendor. The new plan allows site hosts to choose from at least two vendors which will decrease the risk of any one specific vendor having a monopoly.

Currently, North Carolina has a target of having 80,000 zero-emission vehicles on its roads by 2025, and Duke claims its pilot is key to reaching that goal.[2] The utility’s EV pilot is comprised of seven individual programs, including rebates for residential chargers, incentives for fleet equipment, and an electric school bus charging initiative. In an effort to address concerns from NCUC Public Staff, which acts as a consumer advocate, the utility has offered to scale back its $76 million EV offerings.[3] Duke’s proposed order offers to remove programs that involve multi-family charging stations and the public Level 2 charging stations, which would result in a decrease of approximately $4.1 million from the overall cost of the pilot. However, NCUC Public Staff stated in a proposed order that its previous objections that the pilot is too large to be considered a proof-of-concept still stands.

[1] https://starw1.ncuc.net/NCUC/ViewFile.aspx?Id=486df7da-0095-4356-88a6-90d5a0b90626

[2] https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2019/2019-08-22-ncdot-draft-zev-plan-released.aspx

[3] https://starw1.ncuc.net/NCUC/ViewFile.aspx?Id=91abe520-2ef0-4d1c-bfc0-fc7bd2abec48

[Japan] Chugoku Electric Power Released Corporate Vision ENERGIACHANGE 2030

Chugoku Electric Power (Chugoku EPCo), headquartered in Hiroshima Prefecture, issued a corporate vision white paper called ENERGIACHANGE 2030 on January 21, 2020. “ENERGIACHANGE" is a term that combines a corporate philosophy of "ENERGIA" and its new vision concept "Gear-change. "ENERGIA" is derived from Latin words, expressing activity, work and vitality. It is the origin of energy. "ENERGIA" expresses Chugoku EPCo’s desire to help create a brighter, more dynamic society. The white paper establishes a new vision with financial and non-financial goals. By 2030, Chugoku EPCo seeks to increase the company’s profit share of its fast-growing business segment from 5% to 25%, aiming to grow consolidated ordinary income from JPY 36 billion (approximately USD 328 million) to more than JPY 60 billion (App. USD 546 M). For non-financial goals, Chugoku EPCo plans to enhance its work environment by diversifying human resources and increase the amount of renewable energy capacity to between 300MW and 700MW. The utility plans to strengthen and advance existing businesses by improving the operational efficiency of existing nuclear power plants as well as promoting initiatives for carbon recycling technologies and renewable energy.[1]

After the full deregulation of Japan’s retail electricity market, Chugoku EPCo revenues have decreased due to the introduction of new retail energy providers and increased competition in the market. Though the company has generated a profit surplus, the consolidated ordinary income is only around JYP 30 billion (app. USD 273 M). In 2019, Chugoku EPCo announced that it will establish a wholly owned subsidiary called Chugoku Electric Power Network in April 2020,[2] aiming to separate its power transmission and distribution divisions.[3] Subsequently, Chugoku EPCo released Energia Change 2030, adjusting its vision and reviewing its past achievements.

According to the Energia Change 2030, major measures that will be completed by 2020 include;

1) Promoting development of new energy solutions/services

2) Strengthen the competitiveness of power sources

3) Improve the quality of transmission and distribution network services

4) Create revenue streams in Japan and overseas

5) Enhance collaboration with local communities

6) Improve the balance of income and expenditure.[4] [5] [6]

[1] p. 42, http://www.energia.co.jp/ir/irkeiei/pdf/groupvision_02.pdf

[2] http://www.energia.co.jp/press/2019/12139.html

[3] http://www.energia.co.jp/press/2019/12139.html

[4] p. 11-16, http://www.energia.co.jp/ir/irkeiei/pdf/groupvision_02.pdf

[5] http://www.energia.co.jp/press/2020/12262.html

[6] http://www.energia.co.jp/ir/irkeiei/groupvision.html

[Japan] J-Power Began Commercial Operation of Nikaho No.2 Windfarm

Tokyo-based Japanese power producer J-POWER[1] began commercial operation of the new Nikaho No.2 wind farm in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture on January 24, 2020. J-POWER began construction of the Nikaho No.2 wind farm in July 2017, and connected it to the grid to begin testing in March 2019.

This is J-POWER’s second wind farm in Nikaho City, following the Nikahokogen wind farm; it is also the third wind farm in Akita Prefecture. Currently, J-POWER operates 24 wind farms across Japan. The Nikaho No.2 wind farm produces 41.4 GW of electricity, increasing the combined capacity of J-POWER wind farms in Japan from 489.16 GW to 530.56 GW.

Between J-POWER’s two wind farms that are under construction in Japan and one offshore wind farm under construction overseas, J-POWER’s total domestic and international capacity will reach 830.942 GW. Leveraging its experience and knowledge, J-POWER will continue to develop and deploy renewable energy sources, including wind power.[2]

[1] http://www.jpower.co.jp/english/company_info/operations_in_japan/

[2] https://www.jpower.co.jp/news_release/2020/01/news200124.html?rss=news

［USA］Charlotte, NC City Council approves plan to acquire large-scale solar power through a green tariff

The Charlotte, North Carolina, City Council unanimously approved a plan on February 24, 2020 to buy power from a 35MW solar project located in nearby Statesville, North Carolina.[1] The project is expected to produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 10,000 homes annually. It is also expected to reach 24% of its goal to power municipal buildings with carbon-free energy by 2030. The plan stems from Charlotte’s commitment to having all its municipal buildings and fleet get their energy from carbon free sources by 2030 under the city’s Strategic Energy Action Plan approved in December 2018.[2] The city has a wider goal, the Sustainable and Resilient Charlotte by 2050 Resolution, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the community to below 2 tons of carbon dioxide per person per year.[3] In addition to these resolutions, the plan approval developed from Charlotte’s acceptance into Duke Energy’s Green Source Advantage (GSA) green tariff program which gives large energy users in North Carolina the flexibility of selecting and negotiating all price terms directly with a renewable supplier of their choice as opposed to negotiating through the utility.[4]

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPauL3QA1Wg

[2] https://charlottenc.gov/sustainability/seap/Pages/default.aspx

[3] https://cleanaircarolina.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Sustainable-and-Resilient-Charlotte-Resolution.pdf

[4] https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/more-renewable-energy-options-available-under-duke-energys-green-source-advantage

［USA］Michigan regulators direct DTE Energy to revise IRP and pursue more renewables

On February 20, 2020, the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) recommended removal of all supply-side resource additions from DTE Energy’s integrated resource plan (IRP) after finding "fundamental flaws" and "significant deficiencies” in the utility’s plan.[1] The IRP DTE submitted proposed continuing to operate the coal-fired Belle River plant for another decade with the reasoning that the utility has no near-term "persistent capacity need" until 2030. However, regulators found this plan to be inadequately justified because the cost analysis lacked environmental upgrade considerations. The order requests for the utility to raise its energy savings goals to 1.75% in 2020 and 2% in 2021. The utility had proposed slightly lower levels of 1.65% in 2020 and 1.75% in 2021. The PSC also recommended that the utility issue a request for proposals for new electric generation, and boost proposed energy efficiency targets. The utility has until March 21, 2020 to file a revised IRP or the commission will deny the IRP. In addition to the IRP deadline, regulators also directed DTE to seek alternatives through an updated renewable energy plan (REP), which outlines the utility’s plan to meet renewable portfolio standards in the state, to be filed no later than April 1, 2020.

[1] https://mi-psc.force.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/068t0000009jWc2AAE

［USA］DOE Announces up to $38.5 million for new ARPA-E program

On February 18, 2020, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $38.5 million in funding for a new Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program, Rapid Encapsulation of Pipelines Avoiding Intensive Replacement (REPAIR) which will address aging pipeline infrastructure.[1] [2] Pipelines were built with cast iron and wrought iron when gas utilities began operation in 1800s. In the 1930s, bare steel pipes began to replace these outdated pipelines. Although legacy cast iron and bare steel pipes make up only 3% of the utility pipes in use, they account for a disproportionate number of leaks and failures. The REPAIR program will solve this issue by sponsoring new technologies to rehabilitate old natural gas distribution pipes by creating a new pipe inside the old pipe. Effective technologies will meet regulatory requirements, have a minimum life of 50 years, and have sufficient material properties to operate throughout its service life. The technologies in REPAIR will work towards a 10 to 20-times reduction in cost per mile.  Current pipe excavation and replacement costs range up to $10 million per mile.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-385-million-develop-technology-rehabilitate-natural-gas

[2] https://arpa-e.energy.gov/?q=arpa-e-programs/repair

［USA］CPUC outlines new proposal for decarbonizing buildings in California

On February 12, 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) published a proposed decision outlining two new pilots that would set the state on the path toward decarbonizing its buildings with an estimated cost of $200 million over four years.[1] The two pilot programs are Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Development (BUILD) program, which would incentivize low emissions technologies in new residential buildings, and the Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating (TECH) initiative, which would expand the market for low-emission space heaters in both new and existing residential buildings. The CPUC's proposed decision would allocate 40% of the total $200 million budget for the BUILD program, and 60% for the TECH initiative. The proposed pilot programs stem from a 2018 state senate bill, SB 1477, which mandated that the CPUC must develop BUILD and TECH.[2] According to SB 1477, California has seen very little growth in near-zero emissions construction practices and clean heating despite the economic savings they would provide. To comply with the senate bill and achieve the growth in near-zero emissions it proscribes, the CPUC launched its building decarbonization rulemaking in January, 2019. It also intends to align its policies with building energy efficiency standards and create a broader framework for building decarbonization policy.[3]

[1] http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Efile/G000/M326/K933/326933578.PDF

[2] https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB1477

[3] http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M264/K629/264629773.PDF

[Japan] Chugoku Electric Power Received its First Supply of LNG from the U.S. Sabin Pass LNG Project

Chugoku Electric Power (Chugoku EPCo), headquartered in Hiroshima Prefecture, announced on January 7, 2020, that it has purchased and received liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Sabin Pass LNG Project (SPL Project) at Yanai Power Station in Yamaguchi prefecture.[1] [2] [3] Chugoku EPCo signed a contract to purchase up to 400,000 tons of LNG annually for 17 years from Total Gas and Power Asia Ltd, a French energy company.

The SPL Project, operated by Cheniere, a U.S. LNG company, is located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.[4] The LNG was loaded onto the carrier BW Tulip on December 9, 2019, in Louisiana. This is the first time that Chugoku EPCo has received LNG produced in the U.S., and the first time that it has received LNG containing shale gas. The LNG price index is based on the U.S. natural gas market price.

Chugoku EpCo is working to diversify its suppliers and procurement methods, alleviate its quality constraints, and reduce procurement prices, in order to improve the stability of its LNG procurement and reduce risks due to fluctuations in fuel prices.

[1] http://www.energia.co.jp/e/corp/pr/pr.html

[2] http://www.energia.co.jp/business/lng/lng1.html

[3] http://www.energia.co.jp/press/2020/12235.html

[4] https://www.cheniere.com/terminals/sabine-pass/

[Japan] JERA Joined Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition

On January 14, 2020, JERA (Japan’s Energy for a new eRA)[1] announced that it had joined the Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition, to advance the development of ocean-based renewable energy and mitigate the impact of climate change. JERA is a joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power Fuel & Power (headquartered in Tokyo)[2] and Chubu Electric Power (headquartered in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture).[3] It is the first Japanese company to join the Action Coalition.

The Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition was established by a group of offshore wind power companies, including Ørsted and Equinor, to promote the sustainable deployment of ocean-based renewable energies such as offshore wind, floating solar, tidal and wave power. Ørsted is a utility company based in Fredericia, Denmark.[4] Equinor is an energy company headquartered in Stavanger, Norway[5].

The Action Coalition will develop a 2050 vision, which will include action plans for stakeholders from industry, the financial sector, and the government to sustainably scale up the deployment of offshore wind, and to contribute to the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Decarbonization goals. The Action Coalition plans to announce a status update for the initiative at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon in June 2020.[6]

JERA has stated that it hopes to be a global leader in renewable energy, through commitments such as promoting large-scale offshore wind energy projects in Japan and abroad, and by contributing to the sustainable development of offshore wind energy through participation in the Coalition.

[1] https://www.jera.co.jp/english/corporate/

[2] https://www7.tepco.co.jp/fp/about/index-e.html

[3] https://www.chuden.co.jp/english/corporate/ecor_company/ecom_outline/index.html

[4] https://orsted.com/en/About-us

[5] https://www.equinor.com/en/about-us.html

[6] https://www.jera.co.jp/information/20200114_450 

[Japan] Japan’s Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy Released its Interim Report on Building Sustainable Power Systems

On December 26, 2019, Japan’s Strategic Policy Committee of the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy released its interim report on Building Sustainable Power Systems. The interim report includes the Committee’s recommendations to rebuild Japan’s power systems and improve resilience.

Japan’s energy landscape is rapidly changing due: increasing resiliency needs; growing demand for decarbonization in response to the Paris Agreement; decentralization of networks through the introduction of renewable energy; and emerging new energy businesses that utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). The Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE) has established the Building Sustainable Power Systems Subcommittee under the Strategic Policy Committee to develop policies and measures to adapt to these changes.

The subcommittee held four meetings in 2019 from November to December to discuss these issues and released its findings in the interim report. The report highlights the following: [1]

     I.        Strengthening stakeholder collaboration for faster disaster recovery: the subcommittee discussed the need for a disaster coordination plan to improve disaster response collaboration among utility companies to shorten the recovery period. The subcommittee also proposed the establishment of a cost sharing mechanism for disaster recovery.

   II.        Creating a resilient power network: Typhoon No. 15 (Faxai) caused serious damage to the power network. In order to mitigate power outages during large-scale disasters, the subcommittee discussed the need to replace aging equipment and improve the inter-regional interconnection of the distribution network for a robust and sustainable power system.

     III.            Promoting decentralized power system: Typhoon No. 15 highlighted the need to place distributed energy resources for remote and hard-to-reach areas in advance, in order to quickly recover from a disaster. The subcommittee emphasized the importance of promoting and investing in distributed energy resources in these areas to improve resiliency including microgrids, renewable energy, storage batteries, and electric vehicles.

[1] https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/committee/council/basic_policy_subcommittee/#system_kouchiku

［USA］Dominion Energy announces 2050 net-zero emissions commitment

Dominion Energy announced its commitment to reaching net-zero emissions in its power generation and natural gas operations by 2050 on February 11, 2020.[1] Dominion has previously committed to cut methane emissions from its natural gas operations by 50% between 2010 and 2030 and carbon emissions from its power generating facilities by 80% between 2005 and 2050. So far, Dominion has cut carbon emissions approximately 50% since 2005 and reduced methane emissions by nearly 25% since 2010.

Under the new net zero goal, Dominion will decrease methane emissions by 65% by 2030 and 80% by 2040, from 2010 levels. To achieve these reductions, Dominion will extend licenses for its nuclear generation fleet, promote customer energy efficiency programs, and invest in wind and solar power. Additionally, Dominion plans to invest in carbon-beneficial renewable natural gas (RNG) projects that will capture an amount of methane from U.S. farms at least equivalent to any remaining methane and carbon dioxide emissions from the company's natural gas operations. The utility did acknowledge that achieving this goal will also require supportive policies and technology advancements.

[1] https://news.dominionenergy.com/2020-02-11-Dominion-Energy-Sets-New-Goal-of-Net-Zero-Emissions-by-2050

［USA］Vineyard Wind rethinks offshore wind project timeline following BOEM permitting update

On February 11, 2020 Vineyard Wind, an offshore wind developer, announced that its offshore wind project off the coast of Massachusetts will not be in commercial operation in 2022 as previously expected following an updated permitting timeline from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on February 7, 2020.[1][2] BOEM is aiming to issue the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the project on November 13, 2020, and a final decision on December 18, 2020. The previous permitting timeline would have led to a final EIS by June 7, 2019.[3] The BOEM stated that the delay is due to comments from stakeholders and cooperating agencies that requested a more robust analysis. BOEM has also decided to supplement the draft EIS and solicit comments on its revised cumulative impacts analysis. Vineyard Wind needs the EIS before it can begin construction on its offshore wind project. However, to qualify for the federal production tax credit, Vineyard Wind would have needed to begin construction by the end of 2020.

[1] https://www.vineyardwind.com/press-releases/2020/2/11/statement-on-boem-timeline

[2] https://www.boem.gov/vineyard-wind

[3] https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/state-activities/Vineyard-Wind-SEIS-Permitting-Timetable.pdf

［USA］House Democrats Release $760 Billion Framework to Make Infrastructure Investments Across U.S.

The Chairs of three committees in the U.S. House of Representatives released a five-year, $760 billion infrastructure blueprint, the Moving Forward Framework, on January 29, 2020 that they say would address the country's maintenance backlog while also cutting emissions in the transportation sector.[1] Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal (D-MA) emphasized that a key part of their framework is the need to bring emissions down and fight against climate change.

The proposal would invest $329 billion to modernize bridges and highways, $105 billion in transit, $55 billion in rail, and $86 billion to improve broadband internet access to unserved and underserved areas.[2] It would also increase the amount of alternative fueling options like electric vehicle (EV) chargers available. A major obstacle to the proposal, though, is how to finance the proposed investments. Despite support from Americans to raise taxes to create revenue for transportation infrastructure maintenance, Congress has been unable to reach an agreement in years past due to concerns about possible political fall-out from increasing the taxes. At a press conference, Democratic leaders declined to say how they would foot the bill for the new proposal.

[1] https://transportation.house.gov/news/press-releases/chairs-defazio-pallone-neal-release-760-billion-framework-to-make-transformative-infrastructure-investments-across-us

[2] https://transportation.house.gov/imo/media/doc/Moving%20Forward%20Framework.pdf

［USA］ Department of Energy Announces $125.5 Million in New Funding for Solar Technologies

On February 5, 2020 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $125.5 million in new funding for research to advance solar technology through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Solar Energy Technologies Office.[1] DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office Fiscal Year 2020 Funding Program (SETO 2020) will help to continue the steady decline in solar costs. In addition, projects will tackle a variety of challenges facing the solar industry, including enabling solar and storage, enhancing cybersecurity protections, manufacturing, developing solar-powered microgrids, and siting solar with agriculture. The solar funding announcement follows a series of other funding opportunities recently announced be EERE. On February 4, 2020, EERE announced up to $43.8 million to advance geothermal research and development, and on January 23, 2020 the office announced $300 million investment in sustainable transportation.[2] [3] [4] These funding opportunity announcements total more than $463 million and is the largest EERE investment made this early in the fiscal year over the past six years.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-1255-million-new-funding-solar-technologies

[2] https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/energy-department-announces-188-million-hydrothermal-and-low-temperature-geothermal

[3] https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/energy-department-announces-25-million-enhanced-geothermal-systems-research

[4] https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-nearly-300-million-sustainable-transportation-research

[Japan] JERA and Osaka Gas Began Commercial Operation at the Freeport LNG Train #1 in Texas, USA

On December 10, 2019, JERA (Japan’s Energy for a new eRA)[1] and Osaka Gas, owned by the Daigas Group and headquartered in Osaka[2], announced that the Freeport LNG Project in Texas, U.S., has begun commercial operations for its LNG Train #1 on December 8, 2019.[3] The two companies participate in the project through FLNG Liquefaction, a joint venture of JERA, Osaka Gas and Freeport LNG Development headquartered in Houston, Texas. JERA is a joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power Fuel & Power (headquartered in Tokyo)[4] and Chubu Electric Power (headquartered in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture)[5].

The two companies have participated in the project since October 2014. The Freeport LNG Project is operated by Freeport LNG Development, headquartered in Houston, Texas.[6] The LNG Train #1 has a liquefaction capacity of approximately 5 million metric tons per year, and Osaka Gas and JERA will receive about each 2.32 million metric tons of LNG per year under 20-year Liquefaction Tolling Agreements with FLNG Liquefaction.[7]

[1] https://www.jera.co.jp/english/corporate/

[2] https://www.osakagas.co.jp/en/aboutus/corporate_profile/

[3] https://www.jera.co.jp/information/20191210_439

[4] https://www7.tepco.co.jp/fp/about/index-e.html

[5] https://www.chuden.co.jp/english/corporate/ecor_company/ecom_outline/index.html

[6] http://freeportlng.com/about/corporate-history/

[7] https://www.osakagas.co.jp/company/press/pr_2019/1283872_40360.html