Investors nervous about clean energy under Trump

CLEAN ENERGY: Clean energy investors are nervous about President-elect Trump’s second term, but supporters of the industry hope that Republicans won’t scrap federal incentives that have benefited their states. (New York Times)

ALSO:

• A government watchdog calls for a pause on Energy Department clean energy loans, which have accelerated in the final weeks of the Biden administration, saying the office lacks protections to prevent conflicts of interest. (The Hill)
• A lack of transmission lines on the U.S. power grid and stalled inconnection processes remain the biggest barriers to continued clean energy growth, experts say. (Canary Media)
• Illinois officials and advocates are confident they can continue to make clean energy and climate progress under Trump, though concerns exist about federal incentives and fossil fuel regulations. (Energy News Network)

CARBON CAPTURE: The expense and uncertainty of carbon capture technology has led only a few hopeful investors to back it, though they could bring in big returns if the industry takes off. (New York Times)

POLITICS: Experts say global markets, the already-low price of natural gas, and the cost of building out the power grid make it unlikely Trump will be able to deliver on his promise to cut energy costs in half. (Houston Chronicle)

NUCLEAR: The nuclear energy industry had a banner year as states looked to restart some shuttered plants and investment in small modular reactors grew, but it could fall flat if federal support doesn’t continue. (Canary Media)

OIL & GAS: The Gulf Coast oil and gas industry prepares to build out a wave of planned liquified natural gas export terminals as it anticipates Trump to lift a nearly year-long pause on federal permitting. (Houston Chronicle)

UTILITIES: Spanish energy company Iberdrola purchases the parent company of electric utilities in Connecticut, Maine, and New York in a $2.5 billion deal that critics say will reduce transparency and accountability. (Maine Public)

WIND:

• An offshore wind developer tables its planned 1,200 MW wind farm after Connecticut failed to join Massachusetts and Rhode Island in agreeing to buy power from the project. (WBUR)
• Wind turbine technicians in Western states advocate for improved worker training and stricter safety standards. (High Country News)

COAL:

• A Texas electric cooperative will convert a coal-fired power plant into a solar and battery facility, aided by more than $1.4 billion in federal funding to support clean energy and maintain rural jobs. (Texas Tribune)
• A nonpartisan research firm finds complex federal grant applications hinder Wyoming coal communities’ ability to access energy transition funds. (Inside Climate News)

SOLAR:

• A Canadian company that had been considering Minnesota for a $200 million solar cell manufacturing plant pauses its plans due to uncertainty about the fate of the Inflation Reduction Act under the Trump administration. (Star Tribune)
• Former President Jimmy Carter is remembered for his progressive stance on energy production and independence, as exemplified by the 2017 conversion of his Georgia peanut farm into a 1 MW solar farm. (Columbus Ledger-Enquirer)