RMEL eNews

Industry Information

Storage Deployments Shatter Records — Again — in Q4 2020

More than 2,100 MWh of energy storage systems came online in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2020, marking a 182% increase over the previous quarter and setting a new record for the industry, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie and the U.S. Energy Storage Association (ESA).

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/energy-storage-deployments-shatter-records-again-q4-2020-wood-mackenzie/596106/ to view the full article online.

BC Government Says 1,100-MW Site C Hydroelectric Will be Completed

The Government of British Columbia says it is acting to address the challenges facing the 1,100-MW Site C hydroelectric project, under construction on the Peace River, from COVID-19 and other factors to ensure the project is completed safely.

Visit https://www.hydroreview.com/regulation-and-policy/bc-government-says-1100-mw-site-c-hydroelectric-will-be-completed/ to view the full article online.

The Grid Needs $14T to Support Full Decarbonization

At least $14 trillion needs to be invested in the grid worldwide by 2050 to support an evolved power system, according to BloombergNEF’s new Power Grid Long-Term Outlook 2021 published this week.

Visit https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/storage/the-grid-needs-14t-to-support-full-decarbonization/ to view the full article online.

DOE Announces Notice of Sale of Crude Oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy announced a Notice of Sale of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

Visit https://www.energy.gov/fe/articles/doe-announces-notice-sale-crude-oil-strategic-petroleum-reserve-0 to view the full article online.

Aftermath of Texas Deep Freeze - Is Our System Ready?

We must be ready to reliably meet the energy needs of our customers every day, regardless of the weather. 24 by 7 by 365 is more than a motto; it's what our customers and communities depend on each and every day. Our job is to ensure reliability and security for customers.

Visit https://electricenergyonline.com/article/energy/category/general/90/884933/aftermath-of-texas-deep-freeze-is-our-system-ready-.html to view the full article online.

Texas and Florida Had Large Small-Scale Solar Capacity Increases in 2020

As of December 2020, the states with the most small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity were California (10.6 gigawatts (GW)), New Jersey (1.9 GW), and Massachusetts (1.8 GW). Of the 4.5 GW of small-scale solar capacity added in the United States in 2020, California accounted for 31%, the largest share by far.

Visit https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=46996 to view the full article online.

FedEx Plans to be All-Electric by 2040

FedEx Corp. announced this week that it wants to achieve carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040. The company laid out three key areas it will focus on via a $2B investment: vehicle electrification, sustainable energy and carbon sequestration.

Visit https://www.power-grid.com/der-grid-edge/fedex-plans-to-be-all-electric-by-2040/ to view the full article online.

Nuclear Researcher Perspective: Reactors Worth Their Salt

Why molten salt reactors could offer a revolution in clean energy. The world has undergone the largest decrease of global poverty in the past few decades. Over 100 million people have been connected to the electric power grid every year since 2010.

Visit https://www.power-eng.com/nuclear/nuclear-researcher-perspective-reactors-worth-their-salt/ to view the full article online.

The Next U.S. Oil And Gas Boom Suddenly Looms On The Horizon

The history of the oil and gas business in the United States is that every time the “experts” all line up to declare it to be dead, it finds a way to come roaring back.

Visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidblackmon/2021/03/05/the-next-us-oil-and-gas-boom-looms-on-the-horizon/?sh=9f56b2e27719 to view the full article online.

Six Major Utilities Create Multi-State EV Charging Stations Network

Six major utilities have announced a plan to ensure that electric vehicle (EV) drivers have access to a seamless network of charging stations connecting major highway systems from the Atlantic Coast through the Midwest and South and into the Gulf Coast and Central Plains regions.

Visit https://www.tdworld.com/electrification/article/21156950/six-major-utilities-create-multistate-ev-charging-stations-network to view the full article online.

Black Hills Corp. Provides Estimated Impact of Recent Cold Weather on its Utilities by State

Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) released additional details regarding the impacts from the extreme cold weather during February on its utility businesses and customers.

Visit https://www.blackhillscorp.com/node/118242#.YEuCDFVKi70 to view the full article online.

Member Announcements

Austin City Council Approves $10 Million in Utility Bill Relief and Other Measures to Help Those Dealing With Winter Storm

Austin City Council approved $10 million in emergency bill relief for customers experiencing financial difficulty as a result of Winter Storm Uri or COVID-19. The approved funding is effective immediately and is made possible through a combination of rate reductions, utility bill credits and a funding infusion to the Plus 1 - Customer Assistance Program from Austin Water and Austin Energy.

Visit https://austinenergy.com/ae/about/news/news-releases/2021/covid-and-winter-storm-utility-bill-relief to view the full article online.

APS Announces Plans for Seasonal Operations at Four Corners Power Plant

Arizona Public Service Co. (APS), an owner and operator of the Four Corners Power Plant, announced plans of an agreement among plant owners Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC), Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), Salt River Project (SRP) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to move toward operating the plant seasonally beginning fall 2023, subject to necessary approvals.

Visit https://www.aps.com/en/About/Our-Company/Newsroom/Articles/aps-announces-plans-for-seasonal-operations-at-four-corners-power-plant to view the full article online.

COVID-19 Vaccination Events to be Held for Basin Electric Employees

After a full year of operating amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Basin Electric employees will have opportunities to be vaccinated later this month.

Visit https://www.basinelectric.com/news-center/news-briefs/covid-19-vaccination-events-be-held-basin-electrics-north-dakota-employees to view the full article online.

CPS Energy Continues Fight To Protect Customers From Excessive Fuel & Purchased Power Costs From February 2021 Winter Storms

CPS Energy continues to fight for customers to keep their bills affordable while pursuing prudent business practices that ensure the utility and San Antonio remain financially stable and strong.

Visit https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/cps-energy-continues-fight-to-protect-customers-from-excessive-fuel-purchased-power-costs-from-february-2021-winter-storms/ to view the full article online.

El Paso Electric Partners with General Motors to Offer Discounts on Electric Vehicles

El Paso Electric (EPE) is proud to welcome General Motors (GM) to EPE’s GoEV Savings Program. GM is offering several thousand dollars in discounts on the 2020 and 2021 Chevrolet Bolt.

Visit https://www.epelectric.com/company/news/el-paso-electric-partners-with-general-motors-to-offer-discounts-on-electric-vehicles to view the full article online.

Evergy Appoints Utility Industry Veteran C. John Wilder and Former U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu to Board of Directors

Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) announced that it has entered into agreements with Bluescape Energy Partners LLC (“Bluescape”) and Elliott Investment Management L.P. (“Elliott”) and certain of their respective affiliates.

Visit https://investors.evergy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/evergy-appoints-utility-industry-veteran-c-john-wilder-and to view the full article online.

NextEra Energy is recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies® for the 14th time

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) has been recognized once again as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

Visit http://newsroom.nexteraenergy.com/2021-02-23-NextEra-Energy-is-recognized-as-one-of-the-Worlds-Most-Ethical-Companies-R-for-the-14th-time to view the full article online.

OPPD Board Commends Thanks Customers, Commends Utility Workers for Efforts During Unprecedented Weather Event

The Omaha Public Power District Board of Directors held their virtual monthly committee and regular board meetings back-to-back this afternoon.

Visit https://www.oppd.com/news-resources/news-releases/2021/february/oppd-board-commends-thanks-customers-commends-utility-workers-for-efforts-during-unprecedented-weather-event/ to view the full article online.

PNM Seeks Proposals for New Generation to Serve New Mexico’s Energy Needs

Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) is issuing a request for proposal
(RFP) for any and all forms of electric generation and innovative technologies to power our customers
and transition our energy mix to 100 percent emissions-free.

Visit https://www.pnm.com/documents/396023/22818938/NEWS+RELEASE+-+PNM+seeks+new+generation+resources+030321.pdf/428f1d3a-b7c0-e351-6029-a804a9e6f919?t=1615244740638 to view the full article online.

SRP Celebrates Employees Forging Cool Careers During Women’s History Month

Engineers, historian and environmentalist excel in male-dominant careers; hope to inspire others.

Visit https://media.srpnet.com/srp-celebrates-employees-forging-cool-careers-during-womens-history-month/ to view the full article online.

NMSU Center of Excellence, Tri-State, EPRI Bring Container Farm to Grants Campus

New Mexico State University is partnering with Tri-State Generation and Transmission to join the Electric Power Research Institute’s National Demonstration and Monitoring of Indoor Food Production Facilities research project to explore indoor agriculture concepts.

Visit https://tristate.coop/nmsu-center-excellence-tri-state-epri-bring-container-farm-grants-campus to view the full article online.

United Power Announces Mark Gabriel as CEO

After a nationwide search, United Power’s Board of Directors has named Mark A. Gabriel as President and Chief Executive Officer of the organization effective March 15, 2021.

Visit https://www.unitedpower.com/united-power-announces-mark-gabriel-ceo to view the full article online.

2021 State Of WAPA's Assets Released

Western Area Power Administration released its 2021 State of WAPA’s Assets. Since 2014, this forward-looking document has provided customers with an outline of WAPA’s upcoming capital investments and key initiatives for managing the $5.6 billion asset base entrusted to the organization.

Visit https://www.wapa.gov/newsroom/NewsReleases/2021/Pages/2021-state-of-the-assets-released.aspx to view the full article online.

Xcel Proposes $1.7B Transmission Investment in Colorado to Unlock Nearly 5.5 GW New Renewables

Xcel Energy on Tuesday announced plans to invest $1.7 billion in transmission in order to unlock 5,500 MW of largely new renewables projects in its Colorado footprint.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/xcel-proposes-17b-transmission-investment-in-colorado-to-unlock-nearly-5/596093/ to view the full article online.

Rocky Mountain Electrical League