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Energy Department expands eligibility for clean fuel tax credit

Energy Department expands eligibility for clean fuel tax credit

E&E News2 days ago

The Energy Department on Friday expanded the range of companies and producers that can claim the clean fuel production tax credit under Democrats' climate law — delivering a win for biofuels proponents on a tax incentive that was the subject of intense debate under the Biden administration.
The Trump administration announced it was updating the modeling tool used to determine eligibility to claim the credit, which it said would account for new feedstocks and methods of production like ethanol from corn wet-milling and natural gas from coal mine methane.
Lou Hrkman, principal deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy, said in a statement the latest version of the modeling tool will allow more farmers 'to reap the benefits of a rapidly expanding market for alternative transportation fuels.'
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The department also released an updated user manual that provides guidelines for how to determine life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of certain production pathways.

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Dynamic Pricing Outperforms Time-of-Use in California EV Charging Pilot with 98% Energy Delivered Off-Peak
Dynamic Pricing Outperforms Time-of-Use in California EV Charging Pilot with 98% Energy Delivered Off-Peak

Associated Press

time15 minutes ago

  • Associated Press

Dynamic Pricing Outperforms Time-of-Use in California EV Charging Pilot with 98% Energy Delivered Off-Peak

Dynamic pricing-based pilot with MCE and SVCE demonstrates enhanced flexibility and estimated $200/year average customer savings versus Time-of-Use Rates alone. PALO ALTO, CA, UNITED STATES, June 2, 2025 / / -- New results from a smart EV charging pilot, funded by the California Energy Commission's (CEC) REDWDS initiative and implemented by in partnership with MCE and Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), highlight the significant potential of dynamic price signals in optimizing EV charging. ChargeWise California's first phase tested how a dynamic approach can improve grid stability, lower energy costs, and boost renewable energy use in California. The findings highlight that dynamic price signals and automated charging management substantially improve managed EV charging compared to traditional Time-of-Use (TOU) rates. This approach delivered up to 98% EV charging load off-peak, significantly outperforming the 60-70% typically achieved by TOU rates alone, or the 90% by combining TOU with managed charging programs. Initial Pilot Insights: 1. Dynamic Approach Outperforms Time-of-Use for EV Loads: In addition to delivering 98% EV charging off-peak, ChargeWise California saved customers $10–20/month, shifted up to 30% of charging to solar-rich hours, and smoothed demand by avoiding the 'snapback' secondary peaks often triggered by rigid TOU schedules. 2. Lower Bills for Everyone: Dynamic pricing can save EV drivers ~$200 per year and reduce total system costs to lower utility bills for non-EV drivers. estimates aligning rates with grid-wide and local distribution signals will unlock over $1,000+ in annual system value per EV. 3. Whole-home Dynamic Rates are Inequitable: Applying dynamic rates to all customer load risks increased costs for customers without flexible tech like home batteries and EVs. ChargeWise California's submetering 'type-of-use' solution offered targeted incentives for EV charging, ensuring equity and high participation, with over 1,000 enrolled in 2 months, and over 50% from disadvantaged communities. 4. Programs Amplify Rates Impact: Dynamic rates amplify value when integrated with smart, customer-focused programs. ChargeWise California successfully combined dynamic pricing with automation in MCE and SVCE's managed charging programs, driving engagement to benefit both customers and the grid. 'Enrolling in MCE Sync was incredibly easy, and it has made managing my EV charging so simple. I love being able to track my energy consumption and see how much I'm saving each month. It's reassuring to know I'm charging with clean energy during off-peak times and making a positive impact, all while keeping more money in my pocket!', said Franco Maynetto, MCE Sync participant. 'The early results highlight just how impactful dynamic pricing can be in reshaping EV charging to support a cleaner, more flexible grid,' said Nick Woolley, CEO and Co-Founder of 'To fully realize the value of managed charging, we need an approach that is equitable, dynamic, system-aligned, and built through collaboration. That means designing solutions which precisely target flexible load, while making it easy for all customers to benefit—especially those in underserved communities. By utilities, aggregators, and policymakers working together in programs like ChargeWise California, we can create a path to unlock flexibility and deliver sustained reductions to electricity rates, with no negative consequences.' 'Silicon Valley Clean Energy is thrilled to see the insights and results coming out of this innovative dynamic pricing pilot,' said Monica Padilla, SVCE CEO. 'Helping our customers charge off-peak to lower their bills and align their charging with when energy is cleanest is not just valuable for our community, but for the broader California energy ecosystem.' 'As local electricity providers, the flexibility to innovate helps us meet the needs of our communities while advancing the California's clean energy goals. Combining targeted dynamic pricing with managed charging can significantly shift peak load and reduce costs, especially for residents and businesses in underserved communities. This pilot is proof that building partnerships with companies like backed by support from the CEC, is crucial for creating a dynamic, efficient, and equitable energy future for all Californians. We will continue to track the value of combining managed charging with dynamic versus time of use rates,' said Alice Havenar-Daughton, Vice President of Customer Programs at MCE. The initial findings demonstrate the crucial need for the energy industry to adopt a collaborative, holistic approach that considers all aspects of the energy system, including distribution, wholesale, capacity, and ancillary services. By prioritizing equitable program design and adaptive learning through testing, energy companies can optimize grid efficiency, integrate renewables, and lower customer bills. About is a Certified B Corporation® with a mission to make EV charging greener, cheaper, and smarter for utilities and their customers. Its end-to-end software platform wirelessly connects to a range of electric vehicles and chargers to intelligently manage EV charging while working with utilities to put cash back in customers' wallets for charging at grid-friendly times. With a global base of utility, vehicle OEM, and EVSE partners, manages more than 200,000 EVs on its platform each day. Learn more at About Silicon Valley Clean Energy Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a not-for-profit, community-owned agency providing electricity from renewable and clean sources to more than 280,000 residential and commercial customers in 13 Santa Clara County jurisdictions. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Silicon Valley Clean Energy is advancing innovative solutions to fight climate change by decarbonizing the grid, transportation, and buildings. Learn more at About MCE MCE is a not-for-profit public agency and the preferred electricity provider for nearly 600,000 customer accounts and 1.5 million residents and businesses across Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano Counties. Setting the standard for clean energy in California since 2010, MCE leads with 60–100% renewable, fossil-free power at stable rates, serving a 1,400 MW peak load, significantly reducing greenhouse emissions, and reinvesting millions in local programs. For more information about MCE, visit or follow us on your preferred social platform @mceCleanEnergy. James Pratley +44 7940 369556 [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

As Fed Enters Blackout Period, June Meeting Expected To Hold Rates Steady
As Fed Enters Blackout Period, June Meeting Expected To Hold Rates Steady

Forbes

time20 minutes ago

  • Forbes

As Fed Enters Blackout Period, June Meeting Expected To Hold Rates Steady

FILE - Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference following the Federal ... More Open Market Committee meeting, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Federal Reserve in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) Ahead of its next interest rate decision on June 11, Federal Open Market Committee members are now in a blackout period. This limits public comments on monetary policy. Recent speeches suggest that June's meeting will result in holding rates at their current 4.25% to 4.5% level. The CME FedWatch Tool, which gauges the implied forecast of fixed income markets implies it is almost a certainty that rates are held steady in June. However, the FOMC is watching the impact of tariffs closely and incoming data this month, and next, could help inform the path for interest rates later in 2025. The summary of a meeting between Jerome Powell and President Trump on May 29, also suggests the President is still looking for lower interest rates, but Powell has no interest in accommodating that if the economic outlook does not support it. For now, policymakers generally believe the U.S. economy is performing well, limited the need to cut interest rates. Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr summarized the economy in the following way in a speech on May 15. 'In my view, the economy is on solid footing, with solid growth, low and stable unemployment, and inflation continuing to come down towards our 2 percent target. But the outlook has been clouded by trade policies that have led to an increase in uncertainty, contributing to declines in measures of consumer and business sentiment.' Some of these themes were echoed in a more recent speech on June 1 in Korea by Fed Governor Christopher Waller, in exploring the impact of tariffs, he said. 'I do expect tariffs will result in an increase in the unemployment rate that will, all else equal, probably linger. Higher tariffs will reduce spending, and businesses will respond, in part, by reducing production and payrolls.' Then continuing onto inflation Waller said the following, 'I expect the largest factor driving inflation will be tariffs. As I said earlier, whatever the size of the tariffs, I expect the effects on inflation to be temporary, and most apparent in the second half of 2025.' President Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell met at the White House on May 29. Powell mentioned in response to a question at the press conference after FOMC's May meeting that he never requests meetings with the President, so presumably the meeting was at the President's request. President Trump has said in several public comments that he believes Powell should cut interest rates immediately. It appears Trump may have made that same point in the meeting with Powell. However, Powell noted that, 'path of policy will depend entirely on incoming economic information and what that means for the outlook.' As such, the President and Fed Chair may have had, in private, a similar debate to their public statements, with Trump calling for lower rates, and Powell stating that interest rates will be set based on economic data. So far, Trumps criticism of Powell doesn't appear to have had any bearing on monetary policy, despite temporarily shaking the markets in late April when it was believed Trump might try to fire Powell. On reported data, the economy continues to show robust job growth and somewhat cooling inflation. However, inflation remains above the FOMC's 2% goal, limiting the prospect for interest rate cuts currently. That's likely why rates won't be cut in June. The big question is tariffs. FOMC policymakers have signaled that they will wait and see what the impact of tariffs are based on the economic data. For now, the impact from tariffs on economic reports is muted, in part because of reporting lags and also because firms are evaluating their response. Once the data of tariff's economic impact becomes more evident, it's likely the FOMC's response will too. However, since that data likely won't come before the June meeting, rates are expected to be held steady.

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