Energy & Science
One-Third of U.S. Solar Projects Relied on Rule That’s Changing
- FERC limits which renewables projects fall under Purpa law
- Solar advocates say changes will hurt clean-energy growth
Photographer: Matthew Staver/Bloomberg
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A landmark 40-year-old law that’s been key to the growth of renewable energy in the U.S. is being effectively overhauled, threatening to curb demand for solar projects.
Federal regulators on Thursday imposed new limits on which energy projects fall under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, known as Purpa, which helped spur an entire generation of solar and wind farms across the country. More than 30% of solar facilities online today benefit from the law, according to BloombergNEF. The changes may alter those projects’ future prospects and eliminate a key incentive for future ones.