Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure

Read about the SEC’s final amendments to the shareholder-proposal requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Read about recent M&A activity in the energy and sustainability space, including JOX Energy’s acquisition of EnergyWare and BayWa r.e. U.S.’s purchase of Enable Energy.

On September 17, 2020, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued Order No. 2222 to allow for the greater participation of distributed energy resource aggregations in organized wholesale markets. The long-awaited rule is aimed at increasing competition in electric markets, enhancing grid flexibility and reliability, and leveling the playing field when it comes to organized capacity, energy, and ancillary services run by regional grid operators.

Read about MIT Solve, an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that aims to drive social impact innovation and help solve world challenges.

Read about recent M&A activity in the energy and sustainability space, including Falck Renewables and Eni New Energy US’s agreement to acquire Building Energy Holdings US for $32.5 million.

Energy & Sustainability Connections brings the latest developments in energy investing, legal insights, company activity, and industry events straight to your inbox. This month’s edition includes:

Learn about upcoming energy industry webinars, including the Northeast Energy and Commerce Association’s 2020 Annual Fuels Conference on September 30.

This past July, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) announced a final set of regulations for the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target program (SMART). Such regulations are intended to promote cost-effective solar development throughout Massachusetts.

This article summarizes the most recent pandemic-era proposals for wind, solar, and carbon capture federal tax incentives and attempts to discern potential trends for the future.

In February 2020, the IRS issued Notice 2020-12, which provides long-awaited guidance on when a “qualified facility” or carbon capture equipment, in each case within the meaning of section 45Q, is considered to have “begun construction.” This question is of paramount significance because section 45Q allows a carbon capture credit for carbon oxide that is captured using carbon capture equipment that is originally placed in service at a qualified facility, and a qualified facility means an industrial or direct air capture facility, the construction of which began before January 1, 2024.

Read about Boston Metal, a company focused on developing an industrial-scale process to produce emissions-free steel, and its strategic partnership with CBMM.

Learn about upcoming energy industry webinars, including NECEC's Annual Legislative Roundup, BuildingEnergy Boston, and the ESA Energy Storage Annual Conference & Expo.

Read about Greentown Labs, a climatetech startup incubator in Somerville, Mass., and its three-year C2V Initiative aimed at accelerating the carbontech industry.

This issue of Energy & Sustainability Connections covers emissions-free steel producer Boston Metal, startup incubator Greentown Labs, energy policy news from Washington, recent M&A activity & more.

Read about recent M&A activity in the energy and sustainability space, including Sunrun’s $3.2 billion acquisition of Vivint Solar, including debt.

New carbon emission tracking technology will quantify emissions of greenhouse gas, holding the energy industry accountable for its CO2 output. Backed by Google, this cutting-edge initiative will be known as Climate TRACE (Tracking Real-Time Atmospheric Carbon Emissions).

Mintz’s August Washington Update covers the U.S. Senate’s hearing on carbon dioxide management technologies and other energy legislation pending in Congress.