Carbon credit market needs reform, scientists say

CLIMATE: A group of climate scientists says the market for carbon credits needs to adopt significant oversight and reforms after finding many offsetting markets didn’t deliver their promised climate benefits. (The Guardian)

SOLAR:

• A domestic solar panel manufacturer that spent millions lobbying for the Inflation Reduction Act has been among the law’s biggest beneficiaries, records show. (Associated Press)
• Louisiana regulators let a coalition of 26 companies purchase power from non-utility sources after they say they’ve grown frustrated with the lack of renewables available from utilities. (Louisiana Illuminator)

NUCLEAR: The eventual — but stalled and over-budget — success of Georgia’s Plant Vogtle is sparking optimism in the state and beyond, especially after the passage of $900 million for small nuclear development. (E&E News)

CLEAN ENERGY:

• The USDA announces $375 million for renewable energy projects in rural areas, including $275 million for renewable electrification. (The Hill)
• The U.S. Energy Department announces $63.5 million for four companies developing ​“transformative” energy technologies. (Utility Dive)

GRID:

• Two utilities argue that allowing the colocation of an Amazon data center at Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna nuclear plant as the current deal is written would allow the tech company to shift up to $140 million in transmission costs to ratepayers. (Utility Dive)
• An energy efficiency bill working through the Ohio General Assembly is among the first signs of bipartisan policy agreement after the HB 6 scandal and comes as utilities brace for a surge in power demand. (E&E News)

UTILITIES:

• Ohio regulators will stick to a piecemeal approach as they consider four separate, ongoing House Bill 6-related FirstEnergy cases despite calls from the utility and customer groups for consolidation. (Energy News Network)
• A U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down part of a federal bribery law could result in a new trial for four convicted former ComEd executives and lobbyists. (Center Square)

OIL & GAS: A study finds more than half of the 47,000 oil and gas wells in Colorado don’t generate enough money to pay for their end-of-life plugging and remediation, potentially saddling taxpayers with the tab. (Colorado Sun)

COMMENTARY: California’s increasingly clean energy mix proves the rest of the country’s grid can be powered with 100% clean energy sources, a climate advocate argues. (The New Yorker)