ARIZONA
Judge Upholds Tucson’s Authority to Restrict Overhead Power Lines
A Pima Superior Court judge has upheld Tucson’s authority to prohibit overhead transmission lines in city-designated corridors.
Judge Kyle Bryson denied an appeal challenging a Tucson zoning administrator’s rejection of part of Tucson Electric Power’s plan to build overhead high-voltage transmission lines through midtown. TEP initially sought zoning permission in 2021 to install the overhead 138-kV lines, contending the project was a system upgrade not subject to the prohibition. The judge also said the Corporation Commission has primary jurisdiction over where high-capacity transmission lines are built, but not how they are constructed.
TEP will need to apply for “special exceptions” to the ordinances for the crossings.
More: Arizona Daily Star
CALIFORNIA
Napa County OKs Code to Encourage All-electric New Homes
The Napa County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a new building code that will discourage natural gas connections in new residential construction.
The code, effective Jan. 1, encourages all-electric residential construction by default in the county by adding energy use reduction requirements. Homebuilders also would need to offer an all-electric option for interested owners. The code doesn’t do the same with non-residential construction but requires that such construction be “electric ready.”
The energy commission will need to approve the code prior to the county officially adopting it.
More: The Press Democrat
PUC Approves SoCal Edison PPAs
The Public Utilities Commission has approved five clean energy power purchase agreements submitted by Southern California Edison. Three of the projects are solar power plants with a total generating capacity of 525 MW, while the other two are geothermal projects that will total 320 MW.
More: pv magazine
FLORIDA
Palm Beach OKs Contracts to Bury Utility Lines
The Palm Beach Council has voted to award contracts worth nearly $12 million to bury utility lines. The town began burying all overhead, electrical, phone and cable television lines in 2017 as part of a 10-year, $128 million undergrounding project. Construction is expected to be complete in 2027.
More: Palm Beach Daily News
MICHIGAN
Bill Takes Away Veto Power from HOAs
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation that will invalidate any HOA provisions against a litany of energy efficiency home improvements. The law covers a range of both high- and low-tech home upgrades from rooftop solar panels and home EV chargers to clothes lines and rain barrels. HOA officials also can’t require fees to install energy efficiencies, nor demand post-installation reports or monitor homeowners’ energy usage.
More: MLive
NRC Launches Environmental Review of Plan to Restart Palisades Nuclear Plant
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced it has launched an environmental review of the potential impacts of repowering the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant.
Palisades owner Holtec International plans to restart power production at Palisades, a nuclear plant that was decommissioned on May 20, 2022. If the company is successful, it would be the first time an American nuclear plant is returned to the grid after shutting down.
A draft of the environmental assessment will be available to the public in January.
More: The Detroit News
MONTANA
Republicans Urge Reversal of Ruling in Climate Change Lawsuit
Attorneys for Republican officials have pressed the state Supreme Court to overturn a climate ruling that said regulators were violating residents’ constitutional right to a clean environment by allowing oil, gas and coal projects without regard for global warming.
Attorneys for state officials, including Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, told justices that greenhouse gases from Montana are insignificant on a global scale. They also argued climate change is too broad a problem to solve through the courts and noted state law prohibits the denial of fossil-fuel projects based on carbon dioxide emissions.
The seven justices took the case under advisement. A decision could take weeks or months.
More: The Associated Press
SOUTH CAROLINA
PSC Approves Duke Rate Hike
The Public Service Commission has approved a rate hike for Duke Energy Carolina. Beginning in August, the average residential customer will see an increase of $12.06 (8.7%) per month. Starting in August 2026, rates will increase by an additional $6.42 (4.3%) per month.
More: Queen City News
VIRGINIA
Dominion Energy Plans $500M LNG Storage Facility
Dominion Energy has filed plans with the State Corporation Commission to build a storage facility capable of holding 2 billion cubic feet of liquified natural gas.
The facility’s aim is to provide backup fuel for its Greensville and Brunswick County facilities in case cold weather, natural disasters, cyberattacks or other interruptions cut or slow the flow of gas to the two plants.
If the SCC approves, Dominion aims to start construction next year and complete the project in 2027.
More: Richmond Times-Dispatch
RIFA Board Approves Battery Storage Project at Berry Hill Mega Site
The Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority has approved a battery storage project planned at the Southern Virginia Mega Site. The lithium-ion battery system would be built on a four-acre concrete pad and connected to the grid, feeding into an Appalachian Power substation. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.
More: Danville Register & Bee
WISCONSIN
PSC Report Says Major Utilities on Pace to Meet Emissions Goals
All five of the state’s major utilities are on pace to hit their carbon reduction goals by the end of the decade, according to a Strategic Energy Assessment report from the Public Service Commission.
Two years ago, the report projected four of the five major providers would fall short of their goals. However, the new draft said all utilities are expected to meet their 2030 goals through coal plant retirements, moving to cleaner fuels, and adding renewable energy resources.
For Wisconsin Public Service, We Energies, Xcel Energy and Madison Gas and Electric, hitting their goals means reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 80% from 2005 levels by 2030. Alliant Energy has a goal of a 50% reduction by 2030. All five hope to achieve a 100% reduction in emissions from 2005 levels by 2050.
More: Wisconsin Public Radio
WYOMING
DEQ Approves Rail Tie Wind Farm
The Department of Environmental Quality’s Industrial Siting Council has approved the $500 million Rail Tie Wind Farm in Albany County. The approval followed a closed-door meeting, after which the council voted 5-0 to allow the 504-MW project to move forward. Construction on the 100-plus-turbine project is set to begin this fall.
More: Cowboy State Daily