Steve Balko, MBA

💡 New Project Permitting Regulations in Minnesota The Minnesota Legislature has passed a new law directly impacting the permitting process of renewable energy projects within the state. MN are 51% of the way to their 100% clean energy by 2040 target, so this bill has been viewed as imperative to streamline the current permitting process which is 50 Years old, and, not designed for the current influx of projects. Solar projects started in 2019 are taking 249 days longer to receive a permit than solar projects started in 2015 across Minnesota. The average time from application acceptance to permit issuance is 378 for solar farms which is creating a sluggish process and ultimate backlog. So how will the Bill streamline the process exactly?? By establishing clear and consistent timelines for each stage of permit review, removing delay and duplication, and requiring state agencies to identify and solve problems early in the permitting process. This allows Public Utilities Commission staff to determine an application’s completeness as opposed to the full Commission. It also eliminates a separate Certificate of Need proceeding for projects the Public Utility Commission determines are reasonable and able to meet Minnesota's energy goals. The bill will also reorganize separate permitting processes for renewables, storage and small transmission into a single, consistent process, and consolidate Minnesota’s existing laws and rules. With the vast majority of permit requests coming from solar, this frees up the queues for transmission projects which is also beneficial for improving the infrastructure needed to grow. Its great to see MN taking steps to improve their process to show dedication to their clean energy goal. How can other states learn from this and make renewable project adoption simpler?

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We caught Ryan Mikulsky, PE of T2 Utility Engineers, at the DBIA conference. Hear what he had to say about: 💡 The number one problem utilities cause on their projects. 💡 The impact of inaccurate utility data on project timelines and budgets. What's your experience? Let us know in the comments! 👇 __ #UtilityMapping #UtilityData #SUE #RealTimeUtilityData

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Increasing transmission capacity betweeen grid regions and relieving congestion on the grid is great news. Coupled with reconductoring existing transmission lines to increase capacity and we are on the right track to meet clean energy needs.

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TODAY: We're making progress on #BuildingABetterGrid with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s release of a preliminary list of 10 potential National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) to accelerate the development of transmission projects in high-priority areas. Additionally, new funding available through the Transmission Facility Financing (TFF) Program will support projects located in or near a NIETC in deploying cleaner, cheaper, reliable energy across the nation. DOE is now seeking public input on both the preliminary list of potential NIETCs and the TFF program application and evaluation process. To learn more about the process and how to provide comment, visit https://lnkd.in/ddTC9Xfy

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CanaryMedia has an article on the NextGen Highways initiative that has made progress allowing power lines alongside highways in MN. Is this a way to accelerate the buildout of transmission? "Minnesota takes rare step to allow power lines alongside highways A coalition striving to get states to approve high-voltage transmission lines along highways has won a first battle in Minnesota — and wants to expand to other states. Last month, Minnesota lawmakers handed them an early victory on this high-voltage highway concept. As part of a bundle of climate laws and policies passed in this year’s legislative session, a provision in an omnibus transportation bill has ended a decade-long prohibition against siting utility infrastructure on the land along state and interstate highways owned and managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation." Read more at https://conta.cc/3RsgwJU #solar #energy #solarenergy #renewables #renewableenergy #electricity #energystorage #ESS #distributedenergy #solarpower #batteries #EVCharging #EV

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With so many federal transmission and grid resilience financing programs available, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is best suited for your project. The good news is – we have a tool for that! GDO’s Grid and Transmission Program Conductor is an interactive tool that acts as a clearinghouse for both GDO grid and transmission programs. Just answer a few questions to get started: https://lnkd.in/ePYbJKTF

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As we move forward, it’s imperative that Wisconsin’s community solar initiatives are built on a foundation of local input, local labor and local benefit. The PSC’s role in authorizing projects that align with these principles will be critical in ensuring that our energy policies reflect the values and needs of all Wisconsinites. While the new federal funding for solar projects presents a valuable opportunity for our state, we must proceed with a clear strategy that prioritizes long-term benefits for all Wisconsinites. By supporting utility-led community solar projects that utilize local union labor, we can foster a sustainable energy future that strengthens our local economy and ensures energy equity across our communities.

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A new transmission line being built in Minnesota is expected to generate billions of dollars in economic growth. Great River Energy and Minnesota Power are teaming up to construct the Northland Reliability Project, a 180-mile, double-circuit 345kV transmission line connecting northern and central Minnesota. According to an Impact Analysis published by the University of Minnesota Duluth, the project is predicted to add: ✅ $705.3 million in employee wages and benefits ✅ More than $1 billion in value-added spending ✅ Nearly $2 billion in output to the state’s economy Read the Impact Analysis here: https://lnkd.in/ghSv9ZFM

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Transmission permitting shouldn't be a losing game. We're pleased to see the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s effort to streamline the federal transmission permitting process through its Coordinated Interagency Authorizations and Permits (CITAP) program. But permitting still takes too long: transmission developers are faced with navigating years-long mazes of bureaucratic offices and agencies to obtain permits which resemble the classic board game Chutes and Ladders. NEMA strongly encourages DOE to identify additional procedural steps that currently complicate the permitting process and create a holistic, national policy that anticipates future grid capacity and streamlines transmission policy through FERC’s federal authority. Click below for NEMA's graphic outlining the complexity of the current transmission process. https://lnkd.in/eTbiQbXQ

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Building out and updating the aging U.S. electrical grid transmission system remains a key challenge of the green energy transition as more distributed solar and wind assets replace traditional centralized fossil fuel electricity generation facilities. https://lnkd.in/gkcMWryW.

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The Utility Expo's Mid-Year U.S. Utility Infrastructure Outlook shares insights from FMI's Daniel Shumate and others in the industry. Find it here: https://lnkd.in/eSQ_rX6y With labor being a huge challenge, it's critical to understand how labor-intensive firms are incorporating industrialized construction concepts into their business models. Download Part 2 of FMI's Labor Productivity Study to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gPa_JCsC #LaborProductivity #ConstructionLaborShortage #Prefabrication #InfrastructureOutlook

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#MeetOurTeam: Marguerite Sheehan, Utility Advisor Moonshot Missions is comprised of passionate team members who strive to make a difference for communities in need. As a Utility Advisor, a large part of Marguerite’s role is gathering background information on the communities Moonshot assists so that our team of experts can provide recommendations for improvement. Another aspect of her role is assisting communities with the projects they take on to improve their systems. Marguerite loves learning about the communities we work with and traveling to see their wastewater treatment systems; she also enjoys the diversity of projects she works on because she is learning about the industry she’s passionate about. “One thing that people may not realize that Moonshot does is provide aid to decentralized water and wastewater systems, not just utilities; decentralized water and wastewater systems can fall through the cracks because they are small, harder to assist, and a lot of organizations don’t work with them.” While browsing LinkedIn, Marguerite found Moonshot Missions and knew it was the team she wanted to join because the work provides technical assistance to small and disadvantaged communities and their utility operators. “Moonshot is a unique place to work because our team is diverse in many ways, including experience, culture, and location; this diversity is something our organization can utilize to provide relevant, considerate, and innovative recommendations to our clients.” Marguerite says, “At Moonshot, helping communities provide safe drinking water and wastewater services is only limited by our imagination.” Outside of work, Marguerite’s interests can be broken down into four categories: musical theater, all things nerdy, crafting, and reclaiming her Diné culture. Meet the whole Moonshot team: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gXSUj8DD #Team #UtilityAdvisor #Utility #Water #Wastewater

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How are utilities leveraging the AWWA Utility Benchmarking Program? Columbus Water Works is a long-standing participant in the AWWA Benchmarking program and has used the program to track progress and set performance targets. The Benchmarking program gains power with year-over-year participation! Get the latest report, now available, and stay tuned for the next survey period: https://ow.ly/fm6L50RnAfs #AWWAUtilityBenchmarking #UtilityManagement

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We are there for the communities affected by natural disasters and Mother Nature in general. The climate severity is ever-changing, and MasTec Utility Services is there. #climatechange #emergencyrestoration #heroesdonotalwayswearcapes

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Dig into embodied and operational analysis at #BuildingLastingChange. Get technical with a real-life MURB project, reviewing priorities for utility costs and grid emissions factors. Attending BLC? Start building your schedule in the app. https://lnkd.in/gwtDZ2Vj

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Is your project future-proofed? Today's forward-thinking asset owners and developers are incorporating #solar, unlocking a trifecta of benefits: 1) Financial Savings: Imagine slashing your utility bills with clean, #renewable energy generated right on-site. Over time, solar panels pay for themselves, boosting your property's value. 2) Meeting Regulations & Staying Ahead: As requirements shift towards energy efficiency, solar (and solar-ready buildings) are becoming the norm. Be proactive and avoid costly retrofits down the line. 3) Sustainability Leadership: Tenants are driving demand. Position yourself as a leader in the competitive market and showcase your environmental & social health commitment with renewables. Related Articles: ☀️🌴 California CALGreen Solar Requirements (effective 2023): Understand the latest solar regulations impacting your projects: https://lnkd.in/gU-XfGrV 🤝 Value of a Solar Owner's Rep: Get help navigating the process to maximize solar opportunities: https://lnkd.in/gJdDtSRP #solarrooftop #solarcarport #ownersrep #calgreen #esgstrategy #industrialdevelopment

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Pioneering first-of-its-kind mobile infrastructure 🏗 Following the devastation of Hurricane Ian, Lee Health sought an #InfrastructureSolution to mitigate future storms' impact on their care. ⛑ Working closely with the Black & Veatch team, a solution was born: the Mobile Disaster Response Unit. 🚍 With resiliency top of mind, redundant power supplies were built into the design of the MDRU so Lee Health can operate independently of the grid when needed. During a six-hour pilot test of the vehicle, all the electricity came directly from the rooftop solar system. Even while running the AC unit for multiple people inside the vehicle, the backup generator never had to kick on. ⚡ And that's just the beginning! Read the full project story: http://ms.spr.ly/6040YozRA

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