Decarbonization
SMUD Adopts Plan to Lower Payments to Rooftop Solar but Incent Storage
The Sacramento Municipal Utilities District adopted on a 7-0 vote its staff’s novel compensation plan for rooftop solar that lowers payments for excess power sent to its grid but provides incentives to add storage to the systems. The net energy metering plan was amended just before the Sept. 16 evening vote to delay […]
Expedited storage permits, Anti-gas suit dropped, SMUD pursues novel net metering reform
The California Energy Commission accelerates the permitting of large storage projects to get more power online by next fall. The action follows the controversial expedited certification process for natural gas and diesel projects to beef up resources as the sun sets, as directed by Gov. Newsom last month. The Commission also funds what is […]
SMUD on the Verge of Net Metering Breakthrough
The Sacramento Municipal Utilities District is expected to approve Sept. 16 a novel solution for crediting customer-owned solar, which solar advocates support. Meanwhile, much of the rest of California continues to fight over net energy metering.
The SMUD board is considering a multi-faceted rate design that reduces the retail compensation to solar owners but adds […]
CPUC Updates Distributed Resources Plan to Capitalize on Broad Benefits
California’s groundbreaking 2016 Distributed Energy Resources Action Plan will be updated to better align rising levels of clean local renewables with ratepayer and society interests, particularly air quality, climate resiliency, and economic opportunities in disadvantaged communities, the California Public Utilities Commission announced July 23.
It […]
State Regulators Study Transmission Needs, New Options Highlighted
California’s goal to acquire massive amounts of new wind, solar, and storage won’t be reached if the transmission needed to deliver it is not built, policymakers, developers, and analysts stressed at a July 22 Joint Agency workshop.
To make its SB 100 clean energy mandate, […]
SMUD Plans to Beat State Net Zero Carbon Goal by 15 Years
California has mandated its state power providers reach 60% renewables by 2030, but the Sacramento Municipal Utility District plans to supply 100% clean energy by the start of the next decade. That puts it ahead of virtually all other utilities, according to SMUD’s March 2021 Zero Carbon report.