Multiple states made decisions on community solar this month. Here’s one such installation by Summit Ridge Energy. Commerce reveals prelim antidumping tariffs on Chinese battery anode material Washington, D.C. The Dept. of Commerce revealed its preliminary antidumping rates in the trade case involving battery anode material from China. Almost every significant battery exporter to the United States, including Canadian Solar, LG Energy Solution, Panasonic, Saft, Samsung and Tesla, was given a 93.5% AD rate. New AD/CVD investigation launched on solar panels from India, Indonesia and Laos Washington, D.C. The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade has petitioned the U.S. International Trade Court to investigate potential solar cell and panel dumping from three additional Asian countries — India, Indonesia and Laos. The petitioning trade group includes First Solar, Talon PV, Qcells and Mission Solar. US launches new tariff investigation into imported polysilicon Washington, D.C. The Trump administration initiated a Sec. 232 investigation into the polysilicon industry in July — a law that allows the federal government to impose tariffs on imported products if they are deemed a threat to national security. The Dept. of Commerce has requested public comments on U.S. demand for polysilicon and whether domestic production can meet it. Democratic lawmakers ask government accountability office to review DOE’s actions against solar and wind Washington, D.C. Two Democratic lawmakers on House and Senate committees on Energy and Water Development have asked the Government Accountability Office to issue a legal decision on whether DOE violated key appropriations laws in shifting hundreds of millions of dollars provided for R&D of clean energy sources to energy sources it favors. The lawmakers say these actions potentially violated the Purpose Statute the Antideficiency Act. Dept. of Interior to begin “elevated” review of solar, wind projects on federal lands Washington, D.C. Following a directive from President Donald Trump, the Dept. of the Interior announced that any decisions and actions concerning wind and solar energy facilities on public lands will now undergo “elevated review” by Sec. Doug Burgum. Those reviews include leases, rights-of-way, construction and operation plans, grants, consultations and biological opinions. Virginia State Corporation Commission leaves community solar in limbo with latest ruling Richmond, Virginia The Virginia State Corporation Commission denied the Coalition for Community Solar Access’ petition for reconsideration of its recent ruling affecting shared solar in Appalachian Power Company territory. This decision leaves crucial questions about minimum bill requirements unanswered until later this year — as IRA time ticks down. New law allows Maine utilities commission to retroactively change community solar net-metering rates Augusta, Maine Maine Gov. Janet Mills recently signed a bill that allows the Maine Public Utilities Commission to change community solar net-metering rates “as needed.” The Coalition for Community Solar Access says the law sets a dangerous precedent for Maine’s clean energy future and also prohibits the tariff rate from exceeding 1.5-times the average of the rates set by other states in the region for community solar. Oregon governor signs bill paving way for community-owned microgrids Salem, Oregon Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill that sets a first-in-the-nation strategy to create a regulatory framework for building microgrids. There are currently no community-owned or operated microgrids in Oregon, and this legislation will make it possible for communities to plan, build, own and value local microgrids. Bipartisan Ohio senators introduce community solar legislation Columbus, Ohio Ohio State Senators Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) and Kent Smith (D-Euclid) have introduced new legislation that would establish a community energy and pilot program in the state. The Coalition for Community Solar Access says this policy has been subject to several hearings and has evolved to garner significant support. North Carolina legislators override Governor’s veto of bill that allows for more frequent electric rate increases Raleigh, North Carolina North Carolina legislators have overridden Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill that permits utilities to raise rates outside of the usual procedures and charge customers for energy investments that may never be implemented. Clean energy advocates say this overturned veto undermines a 2021 bill designed to protect consumers by ensuring that utilities could not increase electricity rates without a comprehensive review process. NJ legislature unanimously passes instant online residential solar permitting legislation Trenton, New Jersey The New Jersey state legislature unanimously passed a bill in late June to establish statewide solar permitting. The bill would require the state’s Dept. of Community Affairs to make an online, automated permitting platform for rooftop solar and battery installs available statewide within a year. It now awaits the governor’s signature. About The Author