News | Energy Bar Association

Could Hawaii Pass The Country's First Tax On Carbon Emissions?

Mar 16, 2020 12:00 PM

The idea of a carbon tax has broad support from economists and a version was already approved by the state Senate. If agreed to by the House and Gov. David Ige, it would become the first measure of its kind in the U.S. It’s rare to find anything that creates universal agreement in 2020. But University of Hawaii economics professor Michael Roberts says economists from across the political spectrum support a tax on carbon emissions.

APPA, AMP and Others Rebut FERC Arguments on Storage Jurisdictional Divide

Mar 13, 2020 12:00 PM

In challenging Federal Energy Regulatory Commission orders that established rules for the participation of electric storage resources (ESRs) in the capacity, energy, and ancillary service markets operated by regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs), the American Public Power Association and several other power industry groups are seeking to enforce the Federal Power Act’s jurisdictional divide, not veto FERC’s rate authority.

Utilities on high alert as phishing attempts, cyber probing spike related to coronavirus

Mar 12, 2020 12:00 PM

Utilities have seen a rise in phishing attempts and scams related to the Coronavirus, officials from the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) told Utility Dive, adding that investor-owned utilities represented by the group are alert and prepared, with companies collaborating to mitigate the threat. As more employees work remotely to limit the virus' spread, companies should enhance technology monitoring and ensure that virtual private networks and other access systems are fully patched...

'Beyond Frustating' Senate Dispute Stalls Bipartisan Energy Legislation

Mar 11, 2020 02:30 PM

UPDATED: March 10, 2020: The Senate energy package stalled on Monday over an amendment that would limit the use of hydrofluorocarbons — potent greenhouse gases. "I am incredulous the Senate did not vote to invoke cloture on our substitute amendment after a year of regular process in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee," Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said in a statement.

Tallahassee Takes Key Steps Tied to Meeting Net Renewable Energy Goals

Mar 09, 2020 12:00 PM

The City of Tallahassee, Fla., recently took two significant steps toward its net renewable energy goals. The City Commission on Feb. 26 unanimously voted to reserve a portion of the solar energy output from a solar farm to serve all city buildings and is moving forward with the implementation of an Energy Integrated Resource Planning (EIRP) process in conjunction with developing a community-wide Clean Energy Plan.

Sens. Manchin, Murkowski Introduce American Energy Innovation Act

Mar 06, 2020 12:00 PM

U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released on Feb. 27, the text of the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA), a compilation of more than 50 energy-related measures individually reported by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR) last year. AEIA, S. 2657, aims to ensure the United States remains a global energy leader, strengthens national security, increases U.S. international competitiveness, and invests in clean energy technologies.

Calif. PUC Moves to Impose More Than $2 Bil in Penalties for PG&E Tied to Wildfires

Mar 05, 2020 12:00 PM

The California Public Utilities Commission on Feb. 27 issued a decision that calls for imposing $2.137 billion in penalties against Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), the largest penalty ever assessed by the CPUC, for the utility’s role in catastrophic 2017 and 2018 wildfires.

Green Hydrogen Gets Real As Utility Business Models and Delivery Solutions Emerge

Mar 04, 2020 04:18 PM

The fuel may be the only way to meet power system needs in zero emissions scenarios and the market signals to produce and use it are finally clear. Here are three things power sector policymakers are reaching agreement on: The mid-century goal is a zero emissions economy; wind and solar alone cannot do that; and green hydrogen may be a solution. Green hydrogen is produced by a renewables-powered electrolyzer that splits water (H2O) to make hydrogen (H2) gas.

New York governor proposes renewable energy permitting office to speed projects

Feb 28, 2020 12:00 PM

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D, has proposed a new Office of Renewable Energy Permitting that would "improve and streamline the process" for permitting large-scale renewable energy projects across the state. The Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act was advanced Feb. 21 as a 30-day budget amendment, and if adopted, would consolidate the environmental review of major renewable facilities into a single forum under the New York Department of Economic Development...

FERC power market moves

Feb 27, 2020 12:00 PM

FERC BLOCKS RENEWABLES, STORAGE — POLITICO’s Gavin Bade and Marie J. French: After bucking the Trump administration by rejecting a bailout plan for struggling coal and nuclear power plants two years ago, energy regulators are now altering the rules for regional electricity markets that experts say will be far more effective in keeping struggling fossil fuel plants open. At its monthly meeting on Thursday, FERC approved changes to power market rules in New York that will limit wind and solar...

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