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Good morning and happy Friday,
It was another “you win some, you lose some” kind of a week for clean energy. In NYC, President Trump spoke at the UN General Assembly and used the opportunity to share his views about wind energy and climate change. Many world leaders are also participating in Climate Week NYC, albeit a “very different” version.
While the U.S. retreats on climate, China is making bold moves, pledging its first-ever emissions reduction target, as the WSJ argues the U.S. is forfeiting the clean energy race to the Middle Kingdom.
On a more positive note, Revolution Wind is back in business, news that caused Ørsted shares to jump and may bode well for other offshore projects.
And, E2’s latest clean energy jobs report finds that in 2024, the sector grew 3X faster than the rest of the U.S. workforce…but warns that policy threats loom (and indeed, a solar construction firm in North Carolina just laid off more than 500 workers).
Last but not least, on October 1 Bantam Communications and Embold Research are hosting a webinar, Polling to Permitting: Building the Future of American Power. We’ll share fresh data on how voters view the U.S. energy landscape, what solutions they support, and how communicators can meet the moment with strategies that connect. Mark your calendars and join us!
Read on for more.
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Battery Boom, Political Backlash
Energy storage grabbed headlines this week, with reports highlighting its rapid rise as one of the biggest winners under OBBBA, fueled by AI-driven demand and new round-the-clock projects. But as storage scales, it’s also drawing sharper political scrutiny — signaling growth won’t come without a fight. Here’s what stood out:
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Storage emerges as a policy “winner.” A new Troutman Pepper Locke report and Utility Dive coverage find that BESS incentives were largely spared in the OBBBA, even as solar and wind took a hit — driving fresh investor confidence and positioning storage as “untethered” from other renewables.
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Batteries defy federal headwinds. Despite cuts to wind and solar, grid batteries are still on track for record growth this year, according to E&E News. Installations are surging in Texas and beyond, threatening the economics of new gas, coal, and diesel plants.
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Households could offset AI-driven demand. Rewiring America and Utility Dive say rapid deployment of rooftop solar, storage, and heat pumps could free up more than 100 GW of capacity through 2029 — enough to cover projected AI load growth — at costs comparable to new gas plants.
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Storage makes renewables 24/7. Wisconsin’s Paris Solar-Battery Park combines 200 MW of solar with 110 MW of batteries — enough to power 130,000 homes at night or during peak demand — offering a model for how storage turns intermittent renewables into baseload power.
- BESS faces political pushback. Heatmap reports national Republicans are parachuting into local fights over battery projects in Texas and New York, echoing earlier battles over wind and solar. Its polling shows strong GOP opponents now outnumber strong supporters three to one.
⚡️ The Takeaway
Storage is having its breakout moment: EIA projects batteries will make up a quarter of all new U.S. grid additions this year, a trajectory already eroding the case for new fossil fuel plants. But rapid growth is drawing sharper scrutiny, and with BESS now central to grid reliability and data center development, the industry has moved from the sidelines into the political crosshairs. Expect both the boom and the backlash to be front and center at ACP’s RECHARGE Energy Storage Summit in Austin next month. Hope to see you there!
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States Lead the Way
As federal energy policy grows more uncertain, several states are stepping in to keep clean energy projects moving. Governors and legislatures in Colorado, Arizona, and California are advancing policies to help projects qualify for federal tax credits and meet rising electricity demand. Here’s what’s happening:
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In Colorado, Governor Jared Polis is pressing regulators to move faster than usual — and they’re listening. Utilities, ratepayer advocates, and state agencies are aligning around an expedited process that could bring 4 GW of new renewables online by mid-2026. It’s a rare coalition, but one forged by the urgency of keeping costs down and securing federal incentives.
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In Arizona, Governor Katie Hobbs is cutting through red tape with Executive Order 2025-13, setting up a 30-day approval plan and creating a task force to streamline projects on state lands. The effort not only meets surging local demand — with utilities projecting a 40% jump in peak load — but also positions Arizona to plug into California’s new regional market framework.
- In California, Governor Gavin Newsom is doubling down. He’s directed agencies to fast-track projects at risk of losing federal credits, and just signed a sweeping energy package that tackles transmission, wildfire risk, and affordability — while keeping the state’s climate commitments firmly in sight.
⚡️ The Takeaway
Market momentum is building. As states use policy tools to keep projects on track, market forces are also driving deployment—especially in Texas and California, which continue to lead the nation in clean energy growth. Meanwhile, in New York, the Power Authority received more than 6,100 comments urging it to accelerate renewables under its Build Public Renewables Act, targeting 15 GW online by 2030. Despite national headwinds, state-level action and public demand are ensuring clean energy keeps moving forward.
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Get Hail Insurance …
Solar power has been on a tear for a while now, and it’s about to really put the pedal to the metal. It turns out solar isn’t just an affordable source of electricity – it’s getting ready to power your commute. From sleek solar EVs to sun-charged trucks, automakers and startups alike are racing to harness sunlight for the road, bringing the dream of solar-powered vehicles closer to everyday reality.
Aptera Motors has developed flexible, automotive‑grade solar panels wrapped around its vehicle body, designed to withstand impacts like hail or parking lot dings. The same technology is being adapted by others: Telo Trucks offers optional solar roof and bed panels for their electric trucks, and DartSolar makes aftermarket solar “boosters” that add extra range to existing EVs.
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Aptera is also launching three‑wheeled, two‑seat designs that can generate as much as 15-40 miles of daily driving range purely from solar power under sunny conditions, in addition to offering 300‑plus miles on a full charge – allowing drivers to experience “range serenity.”
While cost, durability, and integration still pose challenges – especially for large automakers – the innovations in solar panel design, vehicle efficiency, and power electronics suggest many daily travel needs could soon be met by EVs that don’t require plugging in, especially in sunny regions. And Aptera’s assurances aside, you might want to get a rider for hail insurance if you get a vehicle covered in solar panels.
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Thanks for diving into the Developer Dispatch with us.
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Building American power requires a powerful team. |
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