An omnibus climate bill was signed by the Massachusetts governor in November.
Massachusetts legislature passes new climate bill that includes siting, permitting reformBoston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey in November signed a new climate bill into law that prioritizes clean energy siting and permitting, clean energy procurement and net crediting for community solar. The bill was a second attempt after the failed passage of major climate reforms months prior.
Maryland to soon require contractor applications for new Solar Access ProgramAnnapolis, Maryland
Maryland will soon launch its successor to the Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program, called the Maryland Solar Access Program. The Maryland Energy Administration will require solar contractors to apply for inclusion on its Participating Contractor List.
Maryland grant program will help minority- and veteran-led businesses go solarAnnapolis, Maryland
The Maryland Energy Administration opened the new Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Commercial Solar Grant Program, which offers major incentives to Maryland businesses and organizations to help pay the costs of solar energy systems. The MEA will prioritize projects that serve low-to-moderate income and underserved communities.
Puerto Rico coalition speaks out to protect net metering from oversight board attackSan Juan, Puerto Rico
A coalition of 28 organizations, including national and Puerto Rican nonprofits and solar and battery companies, filed a Friend of the Court brief in federal court to stand against the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (FOMB). The coalition argues that FOMB’s legal attack on net metering threatens the island’s progress in solar energy and resilience.
CBP continues to detain Mexican-assembled Maxeon solar panels at U.S. borderWashington, D.C.
Maxeon Solar gave an update on its solar panels that have been held for months at the U.S. border by Customs & Border Protection (CBP). Although the company said it has “fully and transparently mapped its supply chains” and has no documented connection to forced labor happening in China, CBP continues to detain Maxeon panels coming from its Mexico assembly plants.
Solar wafer manufacturing qualifies for 25% CHIPS ITCWashington, D.C.
The final rules for the 48D Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (CHIPS ITC) noted that silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing operations for the solar industry qualify for the credit. The act is intended to support the general semiconductor market, but solar manufacturing can also cash in.
ITC swiftly overrules Commerce’s aluminum extrusion import dutiesWashington, D.C.
Recently imposed trade duties on aluminum extrusion imports were reversed by the U.S. International Trade Commission about a month later. Although the Dept. of Commerce found 14 countries were dumping and/or receiving foreign government aid to produce cheaper aluminum extrusion items, a majority ITC vote determined that the U.S. market was not harmed by those countries.
Final IRA direct pay rules allow co-owned solar projects to collect benefitsWashington, D.C.
The U.S. Dept. of the Treasury and the IRS released final regulations for the direct pay provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that will help entities that co-own clean energy projects access tax credits. The new guidance is a boon for setups like tax-exempt entities co-investing in a clean energy project with a for-profit developer.
Congress begins process to block 45X advanced manufacturing tax creditWashington, D.C.
After the general election, two new congressmen attached their names to legislation that would prevent Chinese companies from accessing credits available in the Inflation Reduction Act. U.S. Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Jared Golden (D-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation to block implementation of the Dept. of the Treasury’s final rules on the Sec. 45X advanced manufacturing production credit.
Public Power NY pushes leaders for 15 GW of new renewable energyAlbany, New York
Over 200 New Yorkers called on Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to build 15 GW of renewable energy at a rally and public hearing in November. The advocates say NYPA should fully decarbonize public schools by siting utility-scale and distributed generation on state and city college campuses and K-12 schools.