Over the past decade Conventional and Renewable Energy staked positions across the aisle in business just as Republicans and Democrats have squared off in Washington DC. From subsidies to fracking and New Green Deal vs Energy Dominance, rarely could both energy sectors get on the same page. But in the past 12 months there has been a thaw (insert your own climate joke here) in the natural gas pipeline space.
Williams Companies and Energy Transfer have both announced initiatives integrating solar PV into their energy supply mix. Williams announced they will combine the electrification of their compressor fleet with solar energy installations within their field operations . Energy Transfer has also embraced solar through a 15 year power purchase agreement with solar developer Recurrent Energy.
While the majors pursue Big Ticket environmental projects like offshore wind and carbon sequestration to bolter the "E" and "S" in their Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG) scores these two midstream organizations have committed to lessening their climate footprint and growing local jobs via solar. I think the time has come for more collaboration like this to deliver a greener barrel and cubic foot. We possess the innovation and capabilities to make the "Energy Transition" good for platers in both conventional and renewable energy production.
PS: Solar PV provides great backup post storm, see Hurricane Sandy
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