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Policy Watch

The IRA’s Coming China Change

And more of the week’s biggest news around renewable energy policy.

Trump.
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Sourcing requirements – As we explain in our Q&A today, there’s momentum building in Washington, D.C., to attach new sourcing requirements to an IRA credit for advanced manufacturing known as 45X.

  • 45X is supposed to supercharge production of battery and solar components, as well as key minerals and materials for those components that are largely imported from China or what U.S. trade officials believe are Chinese pass-throughs.
  • Some U.S. companies are now quietly urging Congress to enact a “foreign entity of concern” requirement to 45X that would essentially stop battery and solar manufacturing plants with Chinese business involvement from qualifying.
  • Why? Well, doing this would definitely insulate the credit from GOP repeal by tying it not to rapid decarbonization but instead American blue collar jobs.
  • Patrick Donnelly, chief commercial officer for Anovion, told attendees of a Hill briefing I moderated earlier this week that he wants to see this happen because it would be a “game changer” for domestic manufacturing. “I’ve heard some Republicans talking about it already.”
  • But it could also undermine the effectiveness of the credit for climate purposes. Similar requirements were tacked onto the IRA’s EV consumer credit that curtailed its reach and meant many cars couldn’t access the benefit.

Virginia’s planning – The state of Virginia is looking at its own plans to override local objections, which would make it one of the few GOP-led states to do so.

  • The state’s commission on electricity regulation proposed a draft plan late last month that would enable companies to appeal local rejections. Under that plan, the state would create a siting advisory board that would give insights as to whether a rejection was contrary to the overall state’s power needs.
  • It’s not a sure shot. The commission acknowledged legislation will be necessary to make this plan a reality, and the state’s divided government has rarely found agreement with energy policies. But all those Virginia data centers are going to need power from somewhere.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

  • So much money is going out the door right now: In the last week, the Energy Department has announced billions in new conditional loan commitments. Good news for the Grain Belt Express transmission line!
  • Included in those funds – a gusher of offshore wind research money.
  • Environmental justice advocates worry there’ll be less of a rush to award money they won in the Inflation Reduction Act before Trump takes office.

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Spotlight

All Eyes Are On Texas as Anti-Renewables Bills Advance

Plus, what a Texas energy veteran thinks is behind the surprising turn against solar and wind.

Texas statehouse.
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I couldn’t have a single conversation with a developer this week without talking about Texas.

In case you’re unaware, the Texas Senate two days ago passed legislation — SB 819 — that would require all solar and wind projects over 10 megawatts to receive a certification from the state Public Utilities Commission — a process fossil fuel generation doesn’t have to go through. The bill, which one renewables group CEO testified would “kill” the industry in Texas, was approved by the legislature’s GOP majority despite a large number of landowners and ranchers testifying against the bill, an ongoing solar and wind boom in the state, and a need to quickly provide energy to Texas’ growing number of data centers and battery manufacturing facilities.

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Hotspots

Battery Fights Burst into Full View

And more of the week’s most important conflicts around renewable energy.

Map of renewable energy fights.
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1. Westchester County, N.Y. – Residents in Yonkers are pressuring city officials to renew a moratorium on battery storage before it expires in July.

  • Battery fire fears predictably are the primary issue, per a local news report this week, which stated at least one project proposed by Saw Mill River Energy Storage is on hold pending the resolution of a study commissioned by local officials.

2. Atlantic County, New Jersey – Sorry Atlantic Shores, but you’re not getting your EPA permit back.

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Q&A

Why Unions Can Be Key to Projects Getting Permits

A conversation with Mike Barnwell of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights

Mike Barnwell of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights
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Today’s conversation is with Mike Barnwell at the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, a union organization more than 14,000 members strong. I reached out to Barnwell because I’d been trying to better understand the role labor unions could play in influencing renewables policy decisions, from the labor permitting office to the fate of the Inflation Reduction Act. So I called him up on my way home from the American Clean Power Association’s permitting conference in Seattle, where I gave a talk, and we chatted about how much I love Coney Island chili in Detroit. Oh, and renewable energy, of course.

The following conversation has been lightly edited for clarity.

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