This Coal State Holds The Key To 100% Renewable Energy

In the topsy-turvy world of today’s renewable energy landscape, odd things are happening. One good example is the western US state of Wyoming. It is the nation’s single most coal-producing state, and yet it is also set to play a critical role in the 100% renewable energy plans of the City of Fort Collins, just across the border in Colorado.

Is Wyoming cutting off its nose to spite its face, coal-wise? Good question! There’s an interesting energy storage angle in play, so let’s take a closer look and see what’s going on.

Net Metering Is Under Attack: Here's What You Need to Know

Two states are leading a charge to undermine rooftop solar. If successful, the attack could spread to other states.

Utilities across the country are trying to find ways to undermine rooftop solar, and some states are giving them some help. This month alone, Wyoming's legislature introduced a bill that would effectively ban both wind and solar in the state, including rooftop solar. Indiana's legislature is also considering a bill that would force rooftop solar owners to sell all of their energy production to the utility while buying all of their energy from the utility. 

A bill to lease tribal land for energy development?

A bill that could speed up the process to lease tribal lands for energy development — such as mineral and renewable energy exploration — is waiting on a vote from the U.S. Senate.

The bill, introduced last October by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., passed the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Sept. 13.

The bill aims to modify a section of the 2005 Energy Policy Act, which tried but failed to give tribes more control over leasing and business agreements on tribal land and accelerate the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs’ leasing process.

How blue state policy is greening up red states too

Increasingly, red states are also benefitting from the development of local renewable energy to meet renewable energy standards (RES) in blue states.

A legislative task force in very red state South Dakota recently proposed changes favoring wind farm construction (tip from regular reader Bob Wallace). Coal rich and empty, South Dakota has no RES requiring renewable energy, and little local demand for new energy, but the task force was concerned that much lower taxes on wind farms to encourage renewable energy development in neighboring windy states led to South Dakota being out-competed for wind farm development.

Could Wyoming wind power California?

A new federally funded study argues that wind energy from Wyoming is the most cost-effective method to help California meet its growing energy needs.

California's current policy is to rely on in-state projects to achieve its mandated renewable energy demands.