Renewable Energy’s Gloomy Election

IRA on the mind – The renewable energy ecosystem is starting to really sound alarm bells about the November election and the risks of what they’re calling a “clean energy plan repeal” – e.g. scrapping IRA credits and carbon pollution rules.

• Yesterday, the nonprofit E2 released a survey of industry leaders that found more than half would “lose business or revenue” from such a repeal and more than 20% would have to lay off employees.
• Climate Power then sent out the survey in an email blast that read in big bold letters: “ICYMI: Business Leaders Say Repealing the Clean Energy Plan Would Lead to Mass Layoffs, Major Blow to Business.”
• This is some classic Washington messaging prep clearly in the event of a less-than-favorable outcome in the election.

No Golden climate bill – However, if Kamala Harris and the Democrats do win in November, I’m bearish on the odds of another big piece of renewables stimulus passing through Congress next term.

• That’s because of moderate Democrat Jared Golden of Maine, who said in a Politico profile yesterday that he would oppose his party moving to another piece of major climate legislation if they held power.
• “I don’t want to talk about a climate bill,” Golden told the Beltway media outlet.
• Given the odds of a major blue wave are exceedingly low, a Democratic majority would probably be thin – so thin that Golden would easily get his way.

Data center moratoriums – Energy demand for tech may be a driver of renewables development across the country, but data centers are starting to face moratoria fights of their own.

• In Indiana, the activist group Citizens Action Coalition called for a state-wide ban on new data centers for artificial intelligence, arguing they waste electricity and no longer fit the budgetary boundaries of an existing state tax exemption on data centers.
• The Coalition’s organizers include Ben Inskeep, who is also an analyst for energy consulting firm EQ Research.
• It’s unclear whether this will fly with state policymakers as data center moratoriums so far have failed to get off the ground in the U.S.. Earlier this year a grassroots effort to restrict development in Loudon County, Virginia, flatlined.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

In Illinois, the Solar Energy Industries Association and American Clean Power are rallying behind comprehensive decarb stimulus legislation.

In Louisiana, voters going to the polls will decide whether to increase revenues from offshore energy – including wind – that go to coastal restoration.