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What you need to know for May 1, 2025:
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All of us at KAOH Media give our thanks and gratitude to our clients for their patience and flexibility while we attended our annual offsite retreat.
During our retreat in Hilton Head, we had a great week of fellowship, fun, and goal-planning for the year ahead. We had excellent conversations about BESS and other emerging technologies, community impact, and other important ways of supporting our clients during a changing time for renewable energy, as well as some laughs and team-building activities on the beach. We look forward to incorporating key initiatives from our retreat to strategically and creatively serve our clients. Until next year!
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The 55th annual Earth Day had the theme of Our Power, Our Planet, calling for a tripling of renewable energy by 2030 to halt the climate crisis and preserve global habitats. As we look towards another year of making our world more sustainable, Earth Day highlights some reasons for optimism locally and across the globe:
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Cities across the country are making major progress on emissions goals, and not just the ones you may expect. Thanks to ample wind resources in the Great Plains, Iowa City, Iowa reached its 2030 goal of a 45% emissions reduction an entire decade early in 2020, while Denton, Texas is now the only city in the energy rich Lone Star State where all residences and businesses operate on 100% renewable energy. Strong community engagement is supporting Boise, Idaho’s plans for 100% renewables usage by 2035, and Salt Lake City, Utah’s flagship solar project has cut an estimated 100,000 metric tons of greenhouse emissions from the regional electric grid.
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The conversation around sustainability is growing in the burgeoning data center industry, where growing emissions for AI, cryptocurrency and other purposes are making industry leaders consider their impact.
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The world of professional athletics is turning it’s eyes towards sustainability, with power purchase agreements favoring green energy and newly constructed stadiums leaning into sustainability plans.
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In Nevada, the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone American Indian Tribe held it’s 26th annual Earth Day celebration, offering resources on sustainability and adopting renewable energy resources on tribal lands. The event is also a cultural showcase of Great Basin tribe dances by various local troupes such as the Pyramid Lake High School Pudu Nugadu Dancers.
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Global News: Cybersecurity should be a part of BESS narrative
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Experts at a panel hosted by the Clean Energy States Alliance raised concerns about the cybersecurity vulnerabilities of energy storage systems due to their reliance on cloud-based software. They emphasized the need for regulators and utilities to conduct cybersecurity risk assessments and implement protocols to address potential threats for BESS. While acknowledging the importance of energy storage for the energy transition, the panelists noted that these systems require more robust cybersecurity measures compared to traditional energy technologies. They also highlighted the potential risks associated with cloud connectivity, including targeted attacks and software update errors. Grid-related cybersecurity issues have been notable in the United States since a 2022 attack at a North Carolina substation.
The Takeaway: Expect opposition to use cyber-security concerns against local BESS development and be prepared discuss the cyber-security safeguards you are taking to incorporate into local emergency response plans.
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National News: Outlook for WECS repowering remains bright
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Despite President Trump's opposition and tariffs on steel and aluminum, the repowering of aging wind turbines is bringing significant business for renewable energy companies like GE Vernova, Vestas, and Siemens Gamesa. The U.S. onshore wind industry, generating nearly 11% of the nation's electricity, is seeing many turbines nearing the end of their 20-year lifecycle, prompting efforts to upgrade or replace them. This repowering activity is boosting revenue for key industry players and supporting advanced manufacturing jobs. Approximately 70 GW of onshore wind capacity has been fully repowered, with an additional 12 GW partially repowered.
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State News: Oklahoma tenant farmer embraces wind energy
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Dustin Ratliff, a multi-generational tenant farmer from Marland, Oklahoma, initially had reservations about the introduction of a wind farm in his community, according to a recent letter he wrote to The Oklahoman. After conducting research however, Ratliff discovered that wind energy supports economic growth in rural areas by providing steady income to landowners and creating jobs. This curiosity led him to pursue a career as a wind technician, and Ratliff now works as the lead technician at a local wind farm. Wind energy has brought new livelihoods to thousands of Oklahomans, and allowing landowners to lease their properties for wind development will support “more careers that let Oklahomans live and work in rural parts of the state.”
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Local News: Solar farm brings big benefits to Texas cattle country
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Vesper Energy celebrated the ribbon-cutting of their 600MW Hornet Solar project in Swisher County Texas, which spans 3,900 acres and features over 1.36 million bifacial photovoltaic modules. The event honored the contributions of workers, county officials, and other partners involved in this significant solar installation, which has been lauded for its attractive benefits package to the rural central Texas region. In the next four years, the project expected to contribute more than $100 million in new revenue for Swisher County services, including $61 million for Tulia Independent School District and $12 million for the Swisher Memorial Hospital District.
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KAOH Employee Spotlight:
April Evans
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Public Relations Associate
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Where are you from?
Nashville, TN
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How long have you worked at KAOH?
1 year, 3 months
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What does renewable energy mean to you?
Renewable energy is about protecting resources for future generations, preserving ecosystems, and driving innovation for a better life. I have a daughter and I’m always looking toward the future and what that life will look like for her.
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How do you incorporate sustainability into your daily life?
We drink tap filtered water instead of bottled water. We use cloth napkins. We recycle. We don't use the AC/Heat unless it's absolutely necessary. We also have a garden.
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What is your favorite part of your job?
I really enjoy hosting client events and getting immersed in the culture of the communities we serve.
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How do you hope to see the environment improve in the next five years?
I hope for reduced pollution so we can breathe cleaner air without worrying about harmful toxins. Cleaner water sources mean safer drinking water for families and fewer concerns about contaminants affecting households.
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Fun fact about yourself
I was kicked out of the middle school band after the director said they’d be better off without me. I played the trumpet — just not very well, apparently.
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Are you interested in KAOH’s Services?
Click the link below to schedule a call about your project.
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Do you Have Additional Input?
Do you have a question or topic that you would like to be addressed in this newsletter? Click the link below to send us your thoughts.
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