By Christian Roselund, PV Magazine USA 

In a new poll conducted on April 12-14, Morning Consult asked 1,998 registered voters across age, eduction and political spectrum not only broad questions, but about the specifics of renewable energy policies currently proposed, among other matters. And it revealed a number of details about what the nation’s voters want. You can see the entire poll here, and following are our top conclusions reached from the data. 1) Voters say 100% renewable electricity by 2030 more important than other steps to fight climate change.
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Image Credit: Sunrise Movement

Also Published by PV Magazine
2 GW of pumped hydro storage proposed for Arizona
Earth has an estimated 500,000 suitable sites for closed-loop pumped hydro storage, which can pair well with solar power. In the United States, 24 pumped hydro storage units are in operation, totaling 18.4 GW of capacity. Most were authorized more than 30 years ago—attesting to the longevity of the technology—as reported by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

MORE 100% CLEAN ENERGY NEWS & LINKS

• A closer look at Washington’s superb new 100% clean electricity bill, by David Roberts, Vox
  The trend of states targeting 100 percent clean electricity has gone viral. Last month, New Mexico targeted 100 percent clean by 2045. The Maryland legislature recently passed a bill targeting 50 percent renewable by 2030 and looking into the viability of 100 percent by 2040. Illinois might pass a 100 percent target soon. Of course California and Hawaii already have, to say nothing of more than 100 US cities (most recently Chicago). It’s a lot to track. So it’s understandable that there hasn’t been much coverage of the 100 percent clean energy bill that is on the verge of passing in Washington (SB 5116), the one Washington governor and presidential candidate Jay Inslee has been pushing. But it is the best of the bunch. And I’m not just saying that because I live here.
• A call for 100% renewable energy at Barnard, by Barnard for 100% Renewable Energy,
  Columbia Spectator. In March of 2017, Barnard’s board of trustees voted in favor of divestment from fossil fuel, coal, and tar sands companies that deny climate science or otherwise undermine efforts to mitigate climate change. We, Barnard for 100% Renewable Energy, are here nearly two years later to ask Barnard to take the next step and fully divest from fossil fuels. We are asking the administration to commit to 100 percent renewable energy by no later than 2040.
• Lansing budget would power all city buildings with 100% renewable energy by July, Great Lakes Echo
• 100% Renewable Energy: Building a better future with our minds AND our hearts, by Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director,  Red, Green and Blue. Almost 120 cities and municipalities have committed to 100% clean energy since Trump took office, including – just last week – a breezy little burg called Chicago.
• Yale Climate Connections Audio: More than 100 U.S. cities have pledged to switch to renewable energy: It’s a response to citizen pressure.
• Mayors for 100% Clean Energy
• Companies Ready for 100: 173 influential companies have made a commitment to go ‘100% renewable’. Read about the actions they are taking and why. Led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP, RE100’s purpose is to accelerate change towards zero carbon grids, at global scale. A growing number of them are also encouraging their suppliers to make a commitment to go 100% renewable.
• Inside Tesla’s 100% renewable design for the Gigafactory, Fast Company
  The factory, which currently makes battery packs and electric motors for the Model 3, will eventually be the biggest building in the world–with the world’s largest rooftop solar array.

NEW GUIDE FROM THE ADVANCED ENERGY BUYERS GROUP

Renewable Energy Offerings That Work For Companies
The guide walks through six practical steps that states and utilities can take to meet large customer demand for renewable energy, and also outlines replicable best practices from states across the country, based on the experience of Advanced Energy Buyers Group members.

These examples span utility renewable energy programs (often called “green tariffs”), direct access opportunities, and retail choice. For states that want to unlock the economic benefits of renewable energy options for corporate customers but don’t know where to start, and for states or utilities that have begun exploring opportunities and want to hone in on the best approach, the Advanced Energy Buyers Group’s practical guide offers a roadmap for action.