|
|
|
|
|
|
What you need to know for May 15, 2025:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State News: Maryland Solar Anxieties
|
|
Multiple solar energy-related stories have occurred in Maryland recently. The Maryland legislature has passed the Renewable Energy Certainty Act, which gives state regulators more control over siting solar power projects, despite opposition from farm and conservancy groups. The bill, awaiting Governor Wes Moore's decision, has been criticized for not consulting rural interests and potentially taking prime farmland out of production. Recently, Dr. Ben Carson has faced significant opposition from neighbors in northern Baltimore County over their plan to convert 33 acres of their property into a solar farm, reflecting these tensions about land use and solar energy.
|
|
KAOH’s Key Takeaways:
Community input for renewable energy projects is crucial, especially when opponents use siting reform to foment complaints about local voices being ignored.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
National News: American Clean Power releases study on BESS’ potential fire impacts
|
|
The recent report "Assessment of Potential Impacts of Fires at BESS Facilities" by the American Clean Power Association reviews several major BESS installations throughout the country to analyze the true likelihood and nature of BESS-related fires. Despite commonly-repeated concerns about fire hazards, historical data and scientific studies show that BESS is relatively safe with minimal environmental contamination risks. Most fire incidents, such as the 2025 Moss Landing fire in California, involved legacy systems that lacked modern safety standards. Newer systems benefit from advanced safety measures, reducing the likelihood of large-scale incidents. Furthermore, environmental sampling from past BESS fires revealed no contaminant concentrations posing public health concern, refuting a common anti-renewables talking point. Firefighting strategies have evolved to emphasize containment and cooling rather than active suppression, minimizing environmental impacts.
|
|
KAOH’s Key Takeaways:
Like solar and wind, education around BESS technology’s safety concerns is crucial for public outreach, though connecting with local fire departments and first responders early in the permitting process remains important.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pv Magazine, The PJM Interconnection power grid covers much of the Northeast.
|
|
|
|
National News: Solar power surpasses coal power in PJM Interconnection market
|
|
The growth of solar energy has led renewables to surpass coal in the PJM market, which includes Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and parts of 11 other states plus the District of Columbia. In April, renewables generated nearly 11,800 megawatts, slightly more than coal's 11,700 megawatts. Solar energy set three peak records in PJM this month, contributing nearly 14% of the region's electricity demand. Despite President Donald Trump's recent executive orders to boost coal production, the electricity market has increasingly favored gas and renewables. Texas, once the largest coal user for electricity, received half its power from utility-scale solar on April 11. PJM, serving 65 million people, is the nation's largest regional electricity market.
|
|
KAOH’s Key Takeaways:
The renewable energy industry in the United States is showing again that the demand for this power outstrips political opposition, especially in the nation’s largest electric market, PJM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Triple Pundit, Sheep graze at Doral Renewables’ Mammoth Solar, a 1.6GW project in northwest Indiana.
|
|
|
|
State News: Misinformation fuels anti-renewables, anti-growth viewpoints in Indiana
|
|
An editorial by Noelle Maxwell, published in the Indiana Capital Chronicle, describes how misinformation, myths, and political opposition have led to 72 out of 92 counties imposing moratoriums or bans on renewable installations. Legislative efforts to address these blockages have largely failed, though there is growing recognition of the need for energy diversification. Addressing opposition to renewables at the local level has practical value for Indiana: electricity costs there, once among the lowest in the U.S., now rank 28th. Unfounded concerns about property values and farmland preservation, often spread through social media, are often at the center of this sentiment, while the proven economic benefits of renewable energy projects are often unknown among local opponents.
|
|
KAOH’s Key Takeaways:
This op-ed presents great key messaging points:
-
To embrace and acknowledge a diverse energy mix
-
That we are all united under one grid that helps power our homes, businesses, hospitals, factories, etc.
-
Indiana is an energy importer, and it is dependent on other states for its power. Solar and wind can lessen its dependence on other states and provide cheaper and more reliable power.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Industry News: Conservatives embrace residential solar
|
|
Rooftop solar is a good deal no matter what side of the aisle you’re on, and American conservatives are starting to advocate for legislation that makes residential solar and battery storage systems more accessible. Marc Ang from the conservative blog The Blaze argues that home solar energy aligns with conservative values, as opposed to simply liberal virtue-signaling. He believes that the investment tax credit (ITC) for solar panels and battery storage represents conservative values, empowering Americans by reducing their reliance on monopoly utilities and foreign energy while empowering homeowners to be more self-reliant. Currently, four Republican senators and 21 House Republicans support continuing the ITC, which Ang characterizes as a tool for energy independence and economic freedom. The ITC is not a “government handout” but a common-sense tax credit, and has been supported by presidents from both parties, including the renewables skeptic Donald Trump. Ang warns that eliminating the ITC would leave families vulnerable to utility rate hikes and an overburdened electric grid.
|
|
KAOH’s Key Takeaways:
The renewable energy industry in the United States is showing again that the demand for this power outstrips political opposition, especially in the nation’s largest electric market, PJM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
“During blackouts in Texas, wildfires in California, and hurricanes in Florida, families with solar and batteries kept the lights on when it mattered most. They didn’t wait on utility companies or FEMA. They had peace of mind because they had power.”
-Marc Ang, columnist for The Blaze
|
|
|
|
Community Connections: County Fair Season!
|
|
Summer and fall mean county fair season in rural America. Aside from the rides and fair food (and the consequences of mixing the two), county fairs are a celebration of regional identity and local agriculture. These events are an opportunity for renewable energy developers to engage with their host communities and build connections with potential supporters. Your typical first steps for fair season include:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
Find a county fair that your core audiences will attend, usually associated with the host county. Ideally, contact the fair at least two months in advance.
-
Develop a sponsorship pitch. Most fairs will have a set of values that must be represented in their sponsors and may move away from sponsors that may be perceived as controversial. Learn about the fair you’re pursuing and be authentic with your interest in helping become a committed sponsor and member of the community.
-
See if your team can attend the fair. If multiple team members are in the area, it may make sense to rent a booth, while many sponsorship options don’t require in-person presence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
County fairs often have different sections barred by age group or animal category, so make sure you know what points of contact to reach out to and know exactly what kind of support is available. There are likely to be different sponsorship levels, which may result in different publicity opportunities. Events like live music concerts, fireworks or a carnival midway are often particularly costly for smaller fairs, so those sponsorship dollars may be very welcome.
-
Staffing a booth is a vital opportunity to build trust face-to-face with your most important audiences. With a well-developed “elevator pitch” and some fair-appropriate swag, you may be able to gather petition signatures or even identify passionate supporters willing to write or speak in favor of the project. To get there, keep these factors in mind:
-
Free swag that fairgoers can use right away is always a plus. Think branded handheld fans, sunglasses and visors, and make sure to bring enough.
-
Raffling off a few nicer branded items, such as baseball caps or backpacks, can help build further brand awareness.
-
Make sure you know where your booth is and be prepared to cart or carry your items some distance from the road.
-
Use your time wisely and staff the booth at peak hours such as weekends and evenings.
-
Be aware of the dimensions of your booth and what you need to bring, including an appropriately-sized banner.
A sponsorship or a booth will generally get your team a place in the fair book for that year. Make sure that any graphics and text come from your team– if possible, do not allow the fair to draft a graphic for you! The earlier that your sponsorship materials are submitted, the better chance you have of securing a good spot in the fair book that exhibitors must use to register for competition.
|
|
|
|
|
Still Not Sure Where to Start?
|
|
Let’s talk county fairs & other community engagement strategies for your project.
Drop us a line today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Swag Alert: KAOH Custom Agrivoltaics Coloring Books
|
|
|
|
|
Sunny Finds The Shade, An Interactive Solar Farming Storybook
|
|
|
Sunny Finds the Shade is an interactive solar farming storybook perfect for introducing community members aged 5-10 and their parents to the exciting world of agrivoltaics. It follows Sunny and her herd as they move from an open pasture to a solar grazing facility, where a little exploring shows her that maybe change can be a good thing after all.
This complete narrative storybook contains 11 double-page coloring spreads, a glossary of agrivoltaics terms, a word search, and a foreword about utility-scale solar farming written for an adult audience. It’s the perfect item to pass out at STEM events, local festivals, county fair booths, and beyond.
Reach out to your KAOH Media contact to order unbranded books or customize them with your logo!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are you interested in KAOH’s Services?
Click the link below to schedule a call about your project.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
