Good Monday morning!
In the news today and from the weekend…
Grid:
- The New York Times reports that facing brutal heat, the Texas electric grid has a new ally—solar power. The amount of solar energy generated in Texas has grown exponentially. Some Republicans question the state’s increasing reliance on renewable power.
- Reuters reports that Texas’ power grid operator on Monday again projected electricity use would break records this week as homes and businesses cranked up air conditioning amid soaring temperatures.
- WUWM reports that U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm visited a Wisconsin electrical worker training center last week to announce $10 million in grid resilience funding for the state.
- KUT reports that the Texas Supreme Court rules that sovereign immunity protects the state grid operator from lawsuits over the 2021 winter storm that killed hundreds of people.
Congress:
- E&E Greenwire reports the Senate Armed Services Committee passed its version of the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act on Thursday evening, laying out a roster of mandates for the government’s most energy-hungry agency to expand its climate and clean energy programs.
Renewables:
- Reuters reports that renewables growth did not dent fossil fuel dominance in 2022, report says. Global energy demand rose 1% last year and record renewables growth did nothing to shift the dominance of fossil fuels, which still accounted for 82% of supply, the industry’s Statistical Review of World Energy report said on Monday.
Minerals:
- Politico Pro reports as Republicans levy attacks over the U.S.’ reliance on Chinese supply chains and experts warn of the threat to the growth in the rollout of clean energy, President Joe Biden is facing several tests of his critical minerals strategy that are likely to draw increasing scrutiny heading into an election year.
- Star Tribune reports Talon Metals’ high-grade nickel mine has the backing of Tesla and the White House, but the Mille Lacs tribe worries about threats to wild rice.