October 4
Five Ways Utilities and Other Climate Planners Can Tackle Extreme Heat
Top consumer smart energy news hand-selected and brought to you by the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.
Extreme heat scorched its way across the U.S. this past summer. Heat domes have brought dangerous record temperatures to all regions of the country, most recently in California. Extreme heat is one of the deadliest and most widespread climate change risks, and new analysis from the ICF Climate Center highlights that it is most hazardous for disadvantaged communities.
Arizona public power utility Salt River Project recently announced that more than 53,500 electric vehicles were purchased or leased in its service territory as of April 30, 2024, the end of its 2024 fiscal year. “Helping customers reach this new EV adoption milestone is a clear sign that interest in sustainable transportation is growing,” said Jason Smith, SRP’s Manager of Electric Vehicle Strategy.
Con Edison highlighted its customers’ achievements in reducing their carbon footprint in its second quarter Clean Energy Update. Overall, Con Edison has provided customers with incentives for more than 8,400 electric vehicle chargers and more than 70,000 customer solar projects. Those solar arrays have the capacity to produce 622.6 megawatts of clean, renewable solar power.
The energy system is changing fundamentally, and new grid management strategies are needed to manage this transition. Decarbonization goals in 24 states and the District of Columbia are accelerating the shift to renewable generation and the electrification of end-uses in transportation, industry and the built environment. At the same time, utilities are forecasting rapid demand growth for data centers, which could triple peak load in some areas.
The home inspection report painted a pretty bleak picture. We were about to close on a charming 1940 colonial, but it turned out that most of the appliances that came with it needed replacement. The water heater was not long for this world, the AC was busted, and the sump pump was shot. One bright spot was the cast-iron gas-fired boiler.
In addition to a bill requiring utilities to evaluate grid enhancing technologies (GETs) in transmission planning, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill into law mandating pilot projects to transition certain neighborhoods from gas to electric. Senate Bill (SB) 1221 would require each gas corporation to submit to the PUC a map of all potential gas distribution line replacement projects.
As part of its recognition of National Drive Electric Week, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is highlighting how EV ownership is more affordable. The utility company reiterated its rebate program that makes EV ownership more affordable. The Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program provided income-qualified customers with up to $4,000 in rebates when they buy or lease a used EV.
Recovery efforts continue after Hurricane Helene knocked out power to about six million customers and devastated communities in the U.S. Southeast. In some areas served by rural cooperatives, utility leaders warn it could be weeks before service is restored. “The consumers of electric cooperatives are in areas that are more remote, more rugged, more difficult to restore,” National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson said.