Investing Topics: Renewable energy
No Q3 Earnings Armageddon for Utilities
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Nov. 5, 2023
Sellers were convinced higher for longer interest rates would undermine utility sector capital spending, and with it earnings and dividend growth, and priced stocks accordingly for a fall.But, so far at least, the fears of a sector-wide earnings Armageddon have proven to be wholly unfounded.
America Going Electric: Dollars and Sense
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Sep. 26, 2023
The surest, biggest beneficiaries of California’s drive to Net Zero are utilities, with investment increasing earnings and dividends. And as the state’s largest pure electric company, Edison International (NYSE: EIX) has the clearest path.
Building Wealth from Wind and Sun: Costs are Key
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Mar. 15, 2023
Last weekend, a Wall Street Journal editorial pointed out the cost of “balancing the grid” added GBP150 to UK household electricity bills in 2022. The authors’ attempt to blame the entire cost on adoption of renewable energy is quite a stretch, as it ignores the larger role of erratic weather and availability of other power plants.
Their broader point that wind and solar are still challenged by intermittency, however, is spot on.
Southern Company’s Dream Deferred: Does Nuclear Have A Future?
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Feb. 22, 2023
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) has deflated investor hopes yet again, announcing it would postpone the startup of the first of two nuclear reactors under construction at the Vogtle site in Georgia.
US Offshore Wind: Still Affordable?
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jan. 24, 2023
Later this year, the 800-megawatt capacity Vineyard Wind 1 project will begin delivering electricity to the Massachusetts grid. After that, however, the way ahead for US offshore wind is considerably less clear.
California’s All-In on EVs: Buy Edison, Not Tesla
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 27, 2022
The California Air Resources Board voted to ban sales of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035, and targets minimum electric vehicle market share of 35 percent by 2026 and 68 percent by 2030. And 17 other states will likely follow suit.
Carbon Capture and Storage: Will it Work This Time?
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Aug. 23, 2022
Is Inflation Reduction Act enough to get carbon capture off the ground? Historically, it’s been foolish to bet against innovation when there’s enough money behind it. And in this case, the US government’s largesse is very much leaning into a major investment trend in the private sector
NextEra Energy’s Results: For Utilities, Green Still the Color of Money
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 23, 2022
In the previous decade, NextEra Energy’s (NYSE: NEE) ability to convert renewable energy deployment into earnings depended squarely on regulatory support and subsidy. Now, the combination of falling production costs and soaring natural gas prices has made wind, solar and storage increasingly attractive from a cost-cutting standpoint as well.
The Supremes’ EPA Decision: What’s Important
By
Roger S. Conrad on
Jul. 1, 2022
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court essentially rejected the Biden Administration’s attempt to resurrect the “Clean Power Plan,” drawing swift and fiery condemnation from America’s political left, and generally praise from the right. But, ironically, the decision actually increases private sector and individual state flexibility to meet energy transition goals.
Your Guide to ESG Investing
By
Roger S. Conrad on
May. 20, 2022
The S&P 500 ESG Index has kicked out Tesla Inc (NSDQ: TSLA), the company that made electric vehicles cool: That’s the latest nonsense in the world of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing, which according to Bloomberg Intelligence projections will govern nearly $38 trillion of assets by the end of 2022.
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