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ARTICLE · 22 MAY 2026

Renewable Energy Update - May 15, 2026

Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
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Renewable energy developers are navigating new regulatory pathways and federal scrutiny as battery storage projects shift to state-level approval processes, while California investigates controversial federal buyouts of offshore wind leases. Meanwhile, major partnerships are advancing sodium-ion battery technology and massive solar-plus-storage deployments across the western United States.

United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Tara E. Paul
Tara E. Paul
Barry H. Epstein
Barry H. Epstein
Dana P. Palmer
Dana P. Palmer

Focus

Battery storage developer will seek state, not county, approval for new Watsonville plant

Lookout Santa Cruz – May 6

The developer behind a proposed battery storage facility in Watsonville will withdraw its application from Santa Cruz County to instead seek approval through the state. New Leaf Energy said in a letter to Santa Cruz County Executive Officer Nicole Coburn on May 1 that it will seek a permit for the project through the California Energy Commission’s “opt-in” process.

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News

Rep. Jimmy Panetta introduces bipartisan bill to bolster battery storage safety

Santa Cruz Sentinel – May 9

Congressional Rep. Jimmy Panetta has authored and introduced a bill with bipartisan support that seeks to allocate federal resources behind greater battery energy storage safety protocols. The legislation would, in part, direct the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct energy storage safety research, development, and demonstration activities within its energy storage programs.

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