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Welcome to the latest issue of Customer Renewables Monthly
from David Gardiner and Associates!
Customer Renewables Monthly 
November 2021 Renewable Energy Policy and Market Action Alert

Large commercial and institutional buyers are changing the energy landscape as we know it. In the last five years, Fortune 500 companies and other large institutions, such as the military, cities, and universities, have transformed electricity markets by ramping up their purchases of renewable energy.

David Gardiner and Associates (DGA) publishes this newsletter to identify and analyze the policy and market trends that define this historic change.
To all our monthly readers, 
 
At DGA, we continue to track developments in the renewable energy industry and provide our readers with updates on pertinent state and market news. This month, we focus on the key takeaways from the COP26 held in Glasgow in November as well as provide summaries on recent federal climate legislation. Additionally, with corporates continuing to shift towards broader decarbonization goals and commitments, we will start to include more updates on other topics beyond renewables, such as transportation electrification, transmission-related policies, and other climate news.
 
Our team hopes that this monthly review continues to be a useful resource. 
 
Until next month,
Will
COP26 Highlights
 
The United Nations Conference on Climate Change, or COP26, concluded earlier this month after two weeks of deliberations, finalizing the Glasgow Climate Pact. World leaders made ambitious commitments to act against the climate crisis and to avoid a temperature rise beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius target, as set in the Paris agreement. While there is still much to be done to ensure this future, here are some of the highlights and key announcements from the summit:
 
  • The U.S. re-entered climate negotiations and released a long-term strategy to reduce greenhouse gases in order to meet net zero no later than 2050. 
  • Energy companies engaged in the UN Race to Zero committed to reaching 750 gigawatts of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030.
  • Over 20% of major global corporations by revenue have now committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity through RE100
  • 61 investors managing $10 trillion in assets committed to phasing out most thermal coal assets by 2030 for industrialized countries and globally by 2040. 
  • Ford, General Motors, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz were among the 11 car manufacturers who pledged to transition new car sales to zero emissions globally by 2040, and by no later than 2035 in leading markets.

Environment America Releases 2021 Renewables on the Rise Report 
 
Environment America and Frontier Group released their 2021 Renewables on the Rise report, tracking the rapid growth of clean energy technologies in the U.S. over the last decade. The report attributes the growth of clean energy to strong leadership and ambitious targets set by key states, as well as supportive federal policies. 
 
Over the last ten years, renewable energy production grew at an average rate of 15% per year. If the U.S. can continue to accelerate its adoption of renewable energy as we have over the past decade, America could meet all its electricity needs with wind, solar, and geothermal energy by 2035.
What we're reading:

America’s Largest Energy Customers Set a Bold New Ambition to Achieve a 90% Carbon-free U.S. Electricity System by 2030 and Accelerate Clean Energy Globally – Clean Energy Buyers Alliance

Nation’s 3rd-largest utility to shut down coal fleet – E&E News

The Giant Energy Company Enters into Renewable Supply Agreement for Pennsylvania Operations – Environment & Energy Leader

100% of JPMorgan Chase’s UK Electricity Consumption to be Offset by Renewable Energy – Environment & Energy Leader

Nokia to power global operations with 100% renewables by 2025 – Smart Energy International

BASF Signs PPA in Germany – Smart Energy Decisions

Round-up of renewable energy PPA news (Oct 29 - Nov 11) - RenewablesNow

Clean Energy Deal Tracker – GreenBiz 

Con Edison boosts commitment to clean-energy future – Daily Energy Insider

Renewable energy in the U.S. nearly quadrupled in the past decade, report finds – The Washington Post

As clean energy technologies have been improving, prices have been falling dramatically. Between 2010 and 2018, the cost of distributed solar photovoltaic systems fell by 71% and the cost of utility-scale systems fell by 80-82%, while the cost of land-based wind fell by 66%. The reports suggests that the continuation of these trends, alongside bold renewable energy targets, will allow America to accelerate its progress toward a clean energy economy. 

“Renewable sources like wind and solar are poised to play a starring role in America’s energy future,” said Susan Rakov, chair of Environment America Research & Policy Center’s clean energy program. “And as these clean energy sources produce more and more of our power, they set the stage for other new technologies -- like electric cars and heat pumps -- to replace dirty and outdated ones, all while relying on clean power. That’s how we create a better, cleaner future.”

For more details, download and read the full report here.
 
POLICY AND MARKET NEWS 
_______________________

President Biden Signs the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
 
On November 15, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), enacting the legislation into law following a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, where the bipartisan infrastructure package passed 228-206 earlier this month. The bipartisan infrastructure legislation provides $973 billion over five years from FY 2022 through FY 2026, including $550 billion in new investments for all modes of transportation, water, power and energy, environmental remediation, public lands, broadband, and resilience. Notably, it includes:
  • $65 billion for the power sector and electric grid
  • $47 billion for resilience upgrades
  • $21 billion for climate projects
  • $7.5 billion to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Biggest State Clean Energy Legislative Trends of 2021

States have been at the forefront of clean energy policy for many years and 2021 was no exception, with states enacting numerous bills promoting clean energy technologies, grid modernization, and transportation electrification. The NC Clean Energy Technology Center manages the DSIRE database that tracks key state legislation, and identified the following trends:
  • Power sector decarbonization targets
  • Promotion of energy storage deployment
  • Expansion of rooftop and community solar programs
  • Offshore wind development
  • Transportation electrification
  • Performance-based regulation for utilities
  • Wholesale market reform

Wisconsin Democrats Unveil Package of Climate-Related Bills

On November 15, Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers put out the “Forward on Climate” package bill list that seeks to reduce the effects of climate change and support the clean energy transition. The package of 22 bills unveiled Monday by Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Rep. Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, and other lawmakers calls for funding programs and policy changes to support energy efficiency, sustainable farming practices, training for clean energy jobs and a just transition to renewable energy. The proposals would also support climate change research, planning, and education.
EVENTS

December 6-8: Renewable Energy Forum

The Renewable Energy Forum hosted by Smart Energy Decisions will take place in person in California December 6-8. This event welcomes RE buyers and suppliers to meet face to face for panels, workshops, networking experiences, and keynotes from HP, Microsoft, and Merck. To learn more about this event, visit here.

December 7-8: CLEANPOWER 2021

American Clean Power will host CLEANPOWER 2021: Accelerating the Energy Transition, December 7-8 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This first-ever and in-person CLEANPOWER event will bring together members from all areas of the clean energy industry to discuss issues that are important to industry professionals. To learn more about this event, visit here

February 15-17: GreenBiz22

GreenBiz will welcome sustainability professionals to Scottsdale, Arizona this spring from February 15-17 in person for GreenBiz22. Exploring topics of circular economies, social justice, resilient supply chains and more, this three-day event will include informational sessions and networking opportunities. To learn more about this event, visit here.
ICYMI

ACORE Grid Forum 

On November 3-4, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) held the 2021 ACORE Grid Forum. The event examined the roles of infrastructure legislation, administrative orders and actions, regional and state developments, and private sector strategies on the path to a carbon-free grid. To review the program and learn more about ACORE, visit here.
PROFILE OF CUSTOMER CHANGING THE ENERGY LANDSCAPE

This month, the Giant Company entered a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Constellation to power their Pennsylvania operations, including select stores, fuel stations, and perishable distribution centers, with renewable energy. With Constellation supplying 155 million kilowatt hours of energy per year to Giant, the company will avoid more than 100,000 metric tons of carbon emissions associated with its energy use annually — the equivalent of taking almost 24,000 cars off the road, according to U.S. EPA estimates.
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