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More U.S. states are setting ambitious goals for renewable energy generation, driven by various economic, environmental and political factors. In July, Massachusetts introduced its new Energy Transformation Advisory Board, which will help guide the state’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Massachusetts has established a goal of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
According to AP, the board will advise the newly-established Office of Energy Transformation, which is tasked with “affordably and responsibly accelerating the state’s gas-to-electric transition and readying the electric grid to meet the state’s climate and clean energy mandates.”
First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Project
Connecticut and Rhode Island are currently developing the first utility-scale offshore wind project, known as “Revolution Wind.” Once in operation, the project will be able to generate 400 megawatts of clean, affordable offshore wind power for Rhode Island and 304 megawatts of the same for Connecticut—enough clean energy to power more than 350,000 homes across both states and bring each closer to reaching their climate targets.
Construction of the project’s advanced foundation components wrapped up in June and crews have since made steady progress installing the project’s offshore turbine foundations.
"Rhode Island’s commitment to Act on Climate requirements and achieving our 100% renewable energy standard by 2033 will be met through projects like Revolution Wind,” said Acting State Energy Commissioner Chris Kearns in a press release. “This multi-year effort with this offshore wind project plays a major role in the state's emission reduction efforts and growing the state’s clean energy economy.”
Renewable Projects in the City
New York recently announced a new, large-scale renewable energy solicitation for the development of new large-scale land-based renewable energy projects. The new effort supports the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of obtaining 70% of New York’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the solicitation is the latest in a planned series of procurements of land-based large scale renewable projects, Solar Power World reports. It includes key provisions from the latest rounds of renewable energy procurements.
“By advancing land-based renewable energy projects, New York is expeditiously moving our state forward as a leader in the transition to reliable and clean energy,” NYSERDA’s Doreen M. Harris said. “NYSERDA remains committed to strengthening our renewable energy pipeline and delivering increasing amounts of renewable electricity to further bolster our grid of the future.”
More Clean Energy, Please
With the goal of achieving 100% clean energy use by 2040, Michigan recently introduced a clean energy package that was signed into law late last year. By 2030, Michigan plans to be producing 50% of its energy from renewable sources and 60% from renewables by 2035. By 2040, the state wants to be producing all its energy from clean sources.
Introduced in 2020, the MI Healthy Climate Plan includes a “Roadmap to 2030” focused on ensuring meaningful progress on climate before the end of the decade and ensuring alignment with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. The roadmap prioritizes areas where the biggest, most rapid gains in GHG reductions can be made, including electricity, transportation and buildings.
The Clean Energy and Jobs Act includes several bills focused on improving state energy efficiency requirements and streamlining the permitting processes for solar and wind projects.
“The Clean Energy and Jobs Act puts Michigan on a path for some of the fastest buildout in the nation of renewable energy, like wind and solar,” said Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, in a press release, “accelerating the cleanup of our air and protecting our Great Lakes and drinking water.”
