All-Electric Reach Codes
In 2019 the Firm advises a number of local jurisdictions and NGOs, including the Building Decarbonization Coalition, the Rocky Mountain Institute, Redwood Energy, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Peninsula Clean Energy, the City of Cupertino, and the City of San Luis Obispo, on the authority of local jurisdictions to phase out natural gas in buildings. […]
Reducing Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Distribution
The firm represents the Environmental Defense Fund in proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission, successfully advocating EDF’s position that utilities be required to implement best available technology and practices to reduce methane emissions from the natural gas distribution systems. In 2019 the Commission adopts a decision reducing utilities’ rate recovery for these emissions.
All-Electric Reach Code Reduces New Construction’s Carbon Footprint in Cupertino
In 2019 the firm drafts, and advises the City of Cupertino in adopting, one of the first all-electric reach codes, dramatically reducing the carbon footprint of new construction that might otherwise be served by natural gas.
SMW Authors National Best Practice Guide for Renewable Energy Interconnection
The firm prepares major updates to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s Model Interconnection Procedures in 2019. States across the country now look to this publication when seeking to improve the ability of distributed energy resources to access the grid.
California Improves Ability to Host New Renewable Energy Resources
Thanks in large part to the firm’s advocacy on behalf of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, in 2019 California radically increases transparency regarding the ability of the distribution system to host new renewable energy resources.
Natural Gas Power Plant Denied
The firm represents the City of Oxnard in 2018 before the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Energy Commission in its successful opposition to the location of a natural gas-fired power plant on the beach in Oxnard. This effort sets the stage for California’s adoption of energy storage and other preferred resources as a […]
Minnesota Leads the Midwest With New Clean Energy Rules
On behalf of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the firm succeeds in pushing Minnesota to completely overhaul its rules for the interconnection of solar to the grid in 2018, adopting some of the most progressive rules in the Midwest and helping the state achieve its ambitious clean energy goals.
Nevada Streamlines Process For Installing Energy Storage
On behalf of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the firm in 2018 successfully advocates for new rules to make the process of installing energy storage systems on Nevada’s distribution system more efficient and cost-effective.
New Requirements for Local Energy Storage Permitting Processes
The State is taking numerous steps to encourage energy storage in California. Cities and counties will have important roles to play as well. Assembly Bill (AB) 546, passed last year, includes specific local permitting obligations. SMW attorney Erica McConnell provides an overview of the new law. Energy storage has sometimes been referred to as the […]
Tribal Participation Results in Revised Solar Project
When initially proposed, the Palen Solar Project would have involved scraping thousands of acres of the Mojave Desert to make a perfectly level site suitable for solar thermal technology. A later iteration would have involved 700-foot solar power towers, a technology known to harm birds, bats, and insects, including those of cultural significance. Throughout these […]