China EV tariffs overshadow historic grid ruling
Short-term politics thrashes major transmission step forward
In today’s edition:
— Biden’s tariffs on Chinese EVs and solar panels won’t help stop climate change, but an historic electric grid ruling this week will
— Trade wars may be good politics but they’re no way to cut emissions
— Texas is increasingly benefiting from clean energy through battery storage
— We’re only just beginning to understand the hit marine life is taking from warming oceans
— Clean energy investment was up 70% in 2023
— Power grids dodged a bullet in last week’s solar flare storm
Almost lost in the headlines about new tariffs on Chinese EVs and solar panels this week was an historic ruling by federal energy authorities to bring the three major U.S. electric grids closer together to invest in massive new clean energy transmission upgrades.
In probably the biggest electricity announcement in more than a decade, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted to finalize a regional transmission rule that will require the three grids to invest in expanding transmission capacity to add much more clean energy, such as solar and wind. Many clean energy projects are already producing electricity that the grids are unable to bring on board with their current infrastructures, and bottlenecks are becoming a huge problem.
It’s not as sexy as EVs and China-U.S. trade wars, but it is every bit as controversial. Most red states, particularly Texas (which has its own grid), are loath to spend money on clean energy, as they favor more fossil fuels.
Biden’s next move on climate change could be a huge roll of the electoral dice
The president’s plan to take on Big Electricity is a massive risk, David Callaway writes in The Independent. But it is necessary to signal to the youth vote the key differences between himself and Trump when it comes to global warming
Lawsuits and political battles are sure to follow, but the new rule is an important step in an economic transition that must occur if we are to have enough capacity to handle the enormous amount of power demand required for the AI revolution that is coming.
At this point in this election year, almost every move President Joe Biden makes has political implications, and the FERC ruling is no different. But the benefits from finally addressing our aging grid infrastructure will play out over decades to come, far longer than the latest trade wars.
Don’t forget to contact me directly if you have suggestions or ideas at dcallaway@callawayclimateinsights.com.
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