Advanced Energy Perspectives

There’s no shortage of advanced energy news out of Washington this week. The President’s budget was released Tuesday, featuring a doubling of funding for clean energy research. The Senate took up the first serious attempt at comprehensive energy reform in years, but then put it off for another day. But, on Tuesday, one piece of news dominated the advanced energy news cycle out of Washington, D.C.: The Supreme Court decided to stay the Clean Power Plan (CPP). What does that mean for advanced energy? And what is being said about it in the media?

Last week, Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) released their fourth annual “Sustainable Energy in America Factbook.” If there’s a new theme connecting the many energy facts in the 2016 edition, it’s “staying power.” According to Colleen Regan, Senior Analyst, BNEF, and co-author of the 158-page report, “Last year was certainly one for the history books: U.S. power sector carbon emissions fell to their lowest annual level since the mid-1990s. Perhaps most importantly, many of the key changes seen in 2015 are likely permanent shifts, rather than temporary adjustments due to one-time events.” 

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of EPA’s Clean Power Plan until the pending litigation against the rule is resolved, including any appeal to the high court. This means the rule will be in legal limbo until the Supreme Court rules on the merits of the case. In response to the Court’s action, AEE’s Malcolm Woolf said that while we are disappointed by the decision, which could have a “disruptive and chilling” effect on modernizing our electricity system, “we are witnessing the inevitable rise of better technology designed to meet the energy needs of the 21^st century, and we feel confident that, upon full review, the rule will be upheld on the merits.” But what does this mean for our industry, nationally and in the states? 

So, here’s what happened.

This post is one in a series featuring the complete slate of advanced energy technologies outlined in the report This Is Advanced Energy. 

Though still in its infancy, 2016 is shaping up as a banner year for advanced vehicles. Debuting earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show, Chevrolet’s new Bolt promises to change the EV game, with a price tag of roughly $30,000. Not to be outdone, Tesla is teasing its new Model 3, set to launch as early as next month, in the same price range. Game on! But first, there’s this big game: No matter who wins, Super Bowl 50 (no roman numerals, per NFL) will be played in the most advanced energy–powered stadium yet. Prepare to be dazzled – no matter what happens on the field.