Thread by @SimonMahan

Here at @infocast_events #sere22 in Charlotte with regulators from AR, GA, MS, NC incl. @MPSCBrentBailey
@timechols (plz excuse my abbreviated summaries of their comments, these aren't verbatim) thread...
#energytwitter

NC: HB 951 70% carbon neutrality by 2030, neutrality by 2050 is driving force. Duke will own 55% of resources. Significant public process, hearings, data over the past year. Duke will procure 1200 MW of solar next year.

AR: AR Renewable Development Act encourages up to 20MW of development. Clean Energy Act encourages renewable development.

MS: 3% is renewable. Much is biomass. We've approved a wind farm. No hydro resources. We've approved gigawatts of solar to come online soon. It's all growing organically without mandates.

GA: Solar began with Commissioner McDonald in 2013. We've been behind California. By 2029 we'll have 7900 MW of solar and invest $12 billion. Ratepayers win because costs are below avoided costs. Solar has been a positive technology in Georgia.

GA: We're seeing battery factories being added in the state. With more batteries, what happens with net metering? The IRA will allow more nonprofits like churches to participate.

NC: Multiple versions of carbon plans show solar, hybrid, battery, onshore/offshore wind, SMR's and hydrogen.

MS: We're in our first IRP cycle and it's a learning experience. Our second round will be better. If renewables are cheaper they'll win out. Need to diversify is important for ratepayers.

AR: We don't have an RPS, but our utilities are naturally moving towards renewables as industrial customers are asking for more.

MS: Our commercial and industrial sector carries important weight. They're searching for the lowest costs but they want renewable energy.

GA: Wal-Mart is in our rate case and Fortune 500 companies have a role to play to move forward good policy.

MS: IRA will have an effect and is being factored into business cases. We're all still unpacking the incentives and watching that space.

GA: We're about to launch an H2 brain trust. I think hydrogen will have substantial impact in the future.

NC: Land use and permitting

Folks need to watch HB206 in Virginia. Virginia is experiencing "solar fatigue". The concern is HB206 may act as a moratorium.

AR: Land use has not been a significant concern at this time. Optimistic technology could help resolve some of the concerns.

MS: We need to take common sense approaches. NC has done studies in the past showing ag and solar can work. Poultry and pine trees is what we do. We have to balance the economic opportunities.

GA: We have 38 million acres of farmland. 46,000 acres is solar. Many of the counties with solar are low income. Some counties get HALF of their taxes from solar. Who am I to tell a farmer what he can't do with his farm? It's his land! My blood pressure's going up!

Moderator: Georgia Power IRP had 38 intervenors. NC Carbon Plan had 40 intervenors. How do you engage stakeholders?

NC: We had 6 hearings. We encouraged utilities and interested parties to meet before the hearings. Summary doc was 31 pages.