News

Floating solar offers unique bargains – US utilities are missing out

UTILITY DIVE--Siting photovoltaics on water is proving reliable worldwide and the PVs could meet almost 10% of U.S. electricity needs at market-competitive costs, according to NREL.

Energy equity: Bringing solar power to low-income communities

YALE UNIVERSITY--Millions of Americans lack access to solar energy because they cannot afford the steep upfront costs. Now, more than a dozen states are adopting “community solar” programs that are bringing solar power and lower energy bills to low-income households from New York to California.

Indiana GOP advances coal rescue bill that would pause utility plant builds

UTILITY DIVE--An Indiana House committee on Wednesday advanced a bill that would pause utility procurement of new generation resources in a bid to save aging, expensive coal power plants slated to retire in the state.

Colorado drillers face tougher rules under energy-law revamp

HOUSTON CHRONICLE--Colorado’s legislature passed a sweeping overhaul of the state’s oil and natural gas laws, giving local governments more power to regulate drilling in one of the nation’s top crude-producing regions.

European Court rules German renewable energy subsidy allowed under EU law

JURIST--The European Court of Justice ruled Thursday that Germany did not violate EU law when the member state implemented a renewable energy surcharge to help level the energy market for its domestic renewable energy providers.

Puerto Rico passes 100% clean energy bill; will natural gas imports get in the way?

INSIDECLIMATE NEWS--A rapid remake of the hurricane-torn territory's power supply won’t be easy, and a utility's natural gas infrastructure plans could make the goal hard to meet.

Sheila Hollis Wins Legacy Award

In a ceremony in London on November 27, 2018, Petroleum Economist honored Sheila Hollis, EBA Past President and Paul E. Nordstrom Award Winner with the 2018 Legacy Award.

How FERCs New Ruling Is Upending the Countrys Biggest Capacity Market

A 3-to-2 party-line vote to undo and replace PJM’s capacity market will cause major uncertainties for state-subsidized renewables and nuclear.

U.S. subsidies may not save some coal, nuclear plants slated for closure

Several major U.S. operators of nuclear reactors and coal plants said they had not changed plans to close plants in coming years, even after the White House said it would take emergency steps to subsidize struggling operators.

Trump Administration May Give Mouth-To-Mouth To Resuscitate Coal Industry

The Trump administration may try to resuscitate the coal industry by using laws that, in effect, conclude that national security is at stake because the reliability of the electric grid is at risk. That is a hard case to make both to Congress and to the public, which is experiencing stable electricity prices and cleaner options.

Previous FERC chairs trade views on pipeline policy, nuclear power credits

Former chairmen of the commission offered competing views on frontburner topics in gas and power sector regulation at the annual Energy Bar Association meeting last week.

Former FERC Chairs Reminisce, Sound Off at EBA

The Energy Bar Association closed its annual meeting last week with a panel discussion with five former FERC chairs whose terms collectively spanned two decades. The former chairs offered entertaining anecdotes about the past while expressing pride over the growth of competitive markets — and frustration over forces they said threaten them.

Overheard at EBA Annual Meeting

FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre, the luncheon speaker on the second day of the Energy Bar Association annual meeting last week, said he’s often asked about his priorities as head of the commission. “I love this because it suggests I get to pick,” he said to laughter.

Panel Debates Need for Changes in FERC Merger Policy

Should FERC should begin requiring supply curve analyses in its merger reviews? It’s a no-brainer to Cynthia Bogorad, who has attempted to submit them as an intervenor challenging acquisitions.

Industry Awaits FERC Response to Emera Remand

FERC’s delay in responding to a 2017 appellate ruling vacating its order on New England transmission rates has created the risk of an endless series of “pancaked” rate cases, a panel told the Energy Bar Association’s annual meeting last week.

Time for New FERC Enforcement Rules?

It’s been 10 years since FERC revised its enforcement policy guidelines, and former commission attorneys David A. Applebaum and Todd Mullins think it might be time for a check-up.

Uncertainty on transmission rate policy seen as cloud over US infrastructure investment

Transmission owners and customers continue to play a wait-and-see game as questions over transmission rates linger at the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that could have a chilling effect on investment at a time when state and local climate change goals are adding to the need for new infrastructure.​

McIntyre links fuel security questions with resilience proceeding

The chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Tuesday linked questions of power plant fuel supply to the agency's grid resilience proceeding, saying it "sure would be convenient" if regulators can identify specific generator attributes to compensate in order to strengthen the nation's grid.

California's Solar Roof Law Will Raise Housing And Energy Prices But Do Little To Reduce Emissions

California’s new solar roof mandate will make housing more expensive, increase electricity prices, and transfer wealth upwards. What it won’t do is significantly reduce carbon emissions. The deployment of solar has been the main driver of high and rising electricity prices in California, which currently produces more solar energy than it can use.

McIntyre Urges Participation in FERC Infrastructure Process Reviews at EBA Annual Meeting Speech

At his keynote speech during EBA's 2018 Annual Meeting, FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre urged participation in public comment periods for a pair of orders related to the certification of natural gas pipelines and other energy infrastructure regulation. Last month the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a notice of inquiry (NOI) that could lead to a revision of its policies regarding the review and authorization of interstate natural gas transportation facilities under section 7 of the Natur​

India added more energy capacity from renewables than coal last year

For the first time ever, India has added more production capacity from renewable energy in a year than from conventional sources like coal.

World is not on track to meet UN's 2030 sustainable energy goals

As renewable energy costs fall, poor countries are making progress, but billions of people are still left with polluting fuels for cooking and transportation.

Lawmakers want to relax rules on renewable energy

Homeowners and businesses that invest in renewable energy would get more freedom from regulations that favor “monopoly utilities” under recently introduced bipartisan legislation.

Big electric utilities want to change federal law requiring them to buy renewable energy

Stateside has been looking into changes to the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA). The federal act requires electric utility companies to buy energy from solar, wind, and other renewable generators as long as they don’t have to pay more than it costs to generate that power themselves. Michigan Congressman Tim Walbergwants to end PURPA. We recently talked to the Congressman and a solar energy provider, but we felt like we needed to know more about PURPA itself.

Virginia efficiency programs due for windfall, but will it be well spent?

Energy efficiency advocates worry regulators will be too conservative when evaluating cost-effectiveness. Virginia energy efficiency programs will get a $1 billion boost over the next decade, but how much bang for the buck the state gets for that money will hinge on how utilities and regulators decide to spend the money.

Illinois energy law revives renewables while aiding nuclear

Nearly a year and a half after passage, Illinois' Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) is beginning to bear fruit as seen in a revival of renewable energy development in the state, though it is also increasing costs in some areas.

French court slams renewable energy schemes

The report by auditors was to a finance committee meeting at the French senate last week. It noted the spending on mechanisms to support renewables was estimated at €5.3 billion in 2016 and is set to grow in the future. The vast majority of this spending (€4.4 billion) backed renewable electricity, while a total of €567 million went to renewable heat, although this sector is key to achieve France’s climate targets, according to the auditors.

FERC issues NOI seeking comments on gas pipeline evaluations

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on April 19 issued a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) seeking comment on its evaluation process for interstate natural gas pipelines, as well as a new order reforming generation interconnection processes. The NOI seeks comment on how FERC evaluates the need for pipelines, its use of eminent domain, the environmental impact of pipeline projects and the efficiency of FERC's permitting process.

Egypt is ready to be an energy hub for Europe, investment chief says

With gas production in full swing across a number of sites in Egypt, the country is ready to become a key exporter of energy in the region and beyond, the chairman and founder of investment firm Qalaa Holdings told CNBC. "In the oil and gas sectors Egypt remains a very important player," Ahmed Heikal, told CNBC's "Capital Connection" on April 23. Heikal said there was impetus for Egyptian gas to flow to European markets via terminals in Idku and Damietta.

Another blackout in Puerto Rico underscores urgent need for better leadership

Yet another island-wide power outage in Puerto Rico highlights the urgent need for progressive policy reforms that can keep the lights on once and for all in the U.S. commonwealth. The Puerto Rican Senate is facing an opportune moment along these lines next week as it holds a public hearing on a misguided plan by Gov. Ricardo Rosselló to essentially give up on the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) and turn it over to private interests.

FERC commissioners troubled by reliability vulnerabilities tied to fuel security in parts of US

Although natural gas and power prices were relatively low across the US last year, fuel-security issues plaguing New England and Southern California led to some close calls for grid operators tasked with keeping the lights on, commissioners reflecting on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's 2017 state of the markets report said April 19.

The Trump administration just hatched another plan to buoy coal and nuclear

The Trump administration is mulling the use of a Truman-era law to make good on the promise to restore the coal industry, according to a April 19 report from Bloomberg. The Defense Production Act of 1950 offers the president power to implement subsidies for domestically produced materials in the name of national defense and also claims “it is necessary and appropriate to assure the availability of domestic energy supplies.”

Double Your Efforts To Cut Out The Carbon Or Face More Regulation, Cement Makers Told

Making cement is one of the most polluting activities on the planet when it comes to greenhouse gases and if companies do not reduce their emissions much more effectively in coming years, they are likely to face much tougher regulation, a new report says. The first reason the sector is so polluting is that so much is produced. Cement is the key ingredient in concrete, the second-most consumed substance on earth after water.

Are State Agencies Best Equipped to Manage Energy Industry Needs, Protect Groundwater?

The growth of American energy production in the last decade has been a remarkable success of technology and innovation. Already its impacts on the economy and national and international politics are clear. If production continues to grow, America is on track to being one of the world’s largest producers. To achieve that goal, however, will require effective regulation as much as new technology.

Utilities, Grid Operators Tell FERC They Need Real-Time Data to Better Manage DERs

Utilities and grid operators stressed the need for real-time information on distributed energy resources to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission panel in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. FERC organized the conference to gather information on the challenges of integrating DERs into the wholesale power market, which makes up about three-quarters of the country’s electricity supply.

Court Questions FERC Change on ISO-NE Renewable Exemption

A three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday questioned whether FERC had changed its position without adequate explanation in its approval of ISO-NE’s renewable technology resource (RTR) exemption from its minimum offer price rule (17-1110). New England generating companies — including NextEra Energy Resources, NRG Power Marketing and PSEG Energy Resources & Trade — sued the commission last year over the exemption, which allows 200 MW of renewables annually (up to a 600-MW​

Unlike PJM, grid operator MISO not seeking changes to power plant payments

The Midwest’s primary transmission grid operator doesn’t see a looming reliability crisis as utilities phase out uneconomic coal and nuclear plants. In response to a call for input on electric grid resilience issues, MISO told federal regulators last month that it is confident in its ability to plan new generation as older plants retire. The position puts it in contrast with its neighbor to the east, the PJM Interconnection, which asked for new rules that critics say would benefit coal and nucle​

Federal coal's day in court

An obscure decision by a federal judge has prompted an important question for policymakers mulling energy policy: Does federal coal mined in the West have a bigger impact on global climate change than it does on the nation’s economy?

In Illinois, the humble utility pole meets the smart grid

The wooden utility pole has changed little since it was first used in the mid-19th Century to string telegraph line between cities. At a test site in Champaign, Illinois, though, researchers are getting a glimpse at how the humble utility pole could get a reboot for the smart grid era.

Chinas pressure to stop energy projects dents economic growth in Vietnam

Vietnam faces a pinch to economic development as China pressures it to stop exploring in a disputed sea for oil and natural gas, two important fuel sources for the fast-growing Southeast Asian country, analysts say. Spanish driller Repsol last month quit a Vietnamese-approved project at Vanguard Bank in the South China Sea, apparently under pressure from China, foreign media reports and political experts say. Now Vietnam is considering a $4.6 billion gas exploration project with ExxonMobil off i​

Virginia Supreme Court makes it easier for utilities to look for renewable energy

The Virginia Supreme Court has upheld a case that makes it easier for big electric users to shop around for renewable energy. The court upheld an earlier decision by state regulators allowing large customers to purchase 100 percent renewable energy from an independent producer without restrictions.

Can Russia maintain European energy dominance?

Currently, more than half of the energy consumed in the EU is imported extraterritorially. Of that share, Russia supplies 37.4 percent of gas consumed by the member states. With the decline of domestic resources, this amount is likely to increase. Critics fear that Europe’s energy security is under strain as Moscow has been accused of wielding energy exports as a weapon in conflicts with its neighbors​

Smart transmission: How FERC can spur modernization of the bulk power system

The world's largest machine needs an upgrade — and it's costing consumers big money. America's 7 million miles of transmission and distribution system wires, often called the planet's biggest networked machine, have an estimated value as high as $2 trillion. Built up over a century, the network supports the world's largest economy, but there are mounting worries it is not keeping up with the times.

Arizona law backed by utilities declaws clean energy mandates

Arizona utilities could violate the state’s clean energy standards for nominal penalties under a law Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed March 23. His signature ends less than two weeks of debate among lawmakers over fast-tracked legislation aiming to preemptively declaw higher renewable energy mandates a group wants to bring to voters this year. Arizona’s largest electric utility, Arizona Public Service Co., pushed the measure.

FERC among targets of Iranian hackers charged by DOJ

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is among the targets of alleged Iranian hackers indicted by the U.S. Justice Department on March 23. Nine members of an Iran-based company stole data from hundreds of universities and dozens of companies around the world, DOJ said, acting in many cases on behalf of Iran's government. The Department of Labor and state governments in Hawaii and Indiana were also targeted.

Russian attacks on energy grid spark alarm

Revelations about Russian cyberattacks on the U.S. energy grid are sparking new fears in Washington about the growing threat to the energy sector. The developments have some officials worried that Moscow or another nation state could execute a disruptive cyberattack targeting the U.S. power grid.

Energy Secretary Rick Perry says there's 'sheer optimism' in US energy industry despite tariff concerns

Concerns about trade wars, the future of NAFTA and impending steel and aluminum tariffs loomed over a major energy conference this week, but U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry said the overall tone in the energy industry is one of "sheer optimism."

The flip side of FERC's landmark storage order: A call for states to take action

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Order 841 aims to reduce barriers to the deployment of energy storage in wholesale power markets. It lays the foundation for the energy storage market to grow by as much as five fold to 50 GW over the next decade. But at least half of that potential growth would depend on the development of state, not federal, policies to support energy storage, according to a new report by The Brattle Group.

If energy becomes free in the future, how will that affect our lives?

Technology is making the cost of many things trend towards zero. Things we used to have to pay a lot for are now cheap or even free—think about how much it costs to buy a computer, make long-distance calls, take pictures, watch movies, listen to music, or even travel to another state or country. Down the road even more of our day-to-day needs will join this list—including, possibly, electricity.

FERC issues storage, reliability orders, calls conference on aggregated DERs

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Feb. 15 issued new orders on energy storage participation in wholesale power markets and frequency response services provided by generators.

Major DOE NOPR supporters skip rehearing requests at FERC

Major supporters of a Department of Energy plan to subsidize coal and nuclear generation did not file for a rehearing at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission after the agency rejected the plan last month.

Canada unveils law to change how energy projects are assessed

The Canadian government, seeking to address unhappiness about the potential environmental impact of major projects, on Feb. 8 unveiled draft legislation to change how oil pipelines and mines are assessed.​

Energy industry prods Congress to back permitting reform in Trump's infrastructure push

Pipeline and power-sector lobbyists pushed Congress Feb. 8 to speed up permitting for energy infrastructure projects built in the U.S. President Trump is expected to make permitting reform a key piece of his infrastructure investment plan to be announced in the coming weeks.

2017 The Honorable Chief Judge Curtis L. Wagner, Jr. ALJ Reception, join us on October 16, 2017.

ALJ Reception Information and Sponsorship

Solar and wind power face serious threats from the Trump administration

Solar and wind power face serious threats from the Trump administration

Energy tax credits in final budget deal

Tax credits for nuclear power, carbon sequestration and small natural gas and renewable energy technologies were included in a Congressional budget deal that passed in the early hours of Feb. 9 and was later signed by President Trump.

Avoiding blackouts with 100 percent renewable energy

Researchers propose three separate ways to avoid blackouts if the world transitions all its energy to electricity or direct heat and provides the energy with 100 percent wind, water and sunlight.

Chatterjee: FERC must be more friendly to landowners

Neil Chatterjee, one of three Republican commissioners on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, said last week the commission should be more “friendly” to landowners as it evaluates its policies on reviewing applications for interstate pipelines.

Renewables overtake coal in European electricity supply

Good wind conditions and huge investment into wind energy have helped the European Union generate more electricity from renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass than from coal in 2017, a new study has shown.

FERC's resilience order may suggest reliability tweaks, rather than novel solutions

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has asked stakeholders to identify risks to grid resilience and propose solutions.

The forgotten renewable: Geothermal energy production heats up

Three and a half hours east of Los Angeles lies the Salton Sea, a manmade oasis in the heart of the Mojave Desert. It was created in 1905, when a canal broke and the Colorado River flooded the desert for more than a year.

EIA: Wind to beat hydro as leading US renewable resource in next 2 years

Hydroelectric facilities have historically generated the largest share of United States' renewable energy, but according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, that could change this year as WIND'S RAPID GROWTH CATCHES UP to hydro.

Britain will probably see a higher risks of blackouts after Brexit

Britain probably will risk more energy supply shortages after leaving the European Union, a panel of lawmakers from the House of Lords said, adding to pressure on the government to bring forward measures that protect consumers from higher costs.

Energy industry: Include us in infrastructure plan

As the Trump administration looks to upgrade the nation’s aging infrastructure, energy companies are asking the White House to avoid approaching the venture with tunnel vision.

McIntyre: FERC ex parte rules 'worked perfectly' in FirstEnergy coal plant case

The chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said he will speak with commission staff about a recent ex parte communication between a FirstEnergy lawyer and FERC regulator on the commission regarding a decision on a power plant sale.

European Union moves to strengthen renewable-energy goals

European lawmakers have backed measures that would substantially raise the European Union’s clean-energy ambitions.

FERC approves PennEast pipeline

The controversial PennEast pipeline, a 120-mile natural gas line that would cut through Northampton County on its way from the Marcellus Shale production area to New Jersey, received federal approval Jan. 19. In its 106-page decision, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said the market benefits PennEast will provide outweigh any adverse effects it could have on existing shippers, other pipelines, landowners and communities.

House GOP looks to give FERC final say on natural gas exports

Republicans and Democrats sparred Jan. 19 over legislation to make the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the gatekeeper for approving natural gas exports.

FERC's McIntyre says tax cut issues on the table

Chairman Kevin McIntyre said yesterday that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is looking into what the agency could do to ensure that rates paid by consumers reflect the large decline in the federal corporate tax rate enacted late last year.

Regulatory ruling leaves energy companies wondering what future holds

Should electricity customers have to keep paying extra each month to subsidize noncompetitive nuclear and coal plants?

Final tax law suspends energy cuts to Western states

Western states no longer have to worry about losing millions in energy royalties due to the high cost of the new tax package.

FERC proposes mandatory reporting of attempted cybersecurity compromises

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has proposed a revision of the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards to enhance awareness of existing or developing cybersecurity threats to the nation’s energy infrastructure.

Europes power generation industry evolves

The European Union (EU) is unequivocally continuing down a path of global climate and energy leadership while bringing online more carbon-neutral fuel systems throughout its 28 member states, closing in on the 2020 goal of a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from 1990 levels.

FERC: Demand response fell 10 percent in power markets in 2016

A new analysis by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission concludes that in organized wholesale markets, demand response was called on to meet 5.7 percent of peak demand in 2016

Trump's huge offshore drilling plan unlikely to spark a 'gold rush' for energy industry

The Trump administration made waves on Thursday by announcing it will open virtually all federal offshore waters to oil and gas drilling.

FERC rejects DOE NOPR, kicking resilience issue to grid operators

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday rejected a proposal from the Department of Energy to subsidize to coal and nuclear plants, instead turning to regional grid operators to assess how best to enhance the resilience of the power system.

Germany energy consumers paid to use power over Christmas as supply outstrips demand

German ENERGY consumers were paid to use power over the Christmas period, thanks to a slump in demand, warm weather and plenty of wind power on the grid, trading data shows.

Tax overhaul breeds uncertainty for clean energy business

Lawyers and accountants in the renewable energy industry are poring over the details of the tax overhaul President Trump signed into law recently, trying to figure out what companies will lose or gain.​

Challenges galore for Indias clean energy industry

From yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved Ltd diversifying into solar equipment manufacturing to companies amassing dry powder to bid for a mammoth 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar and wind contracts, India’s clean energy space is expected to witness a lot of action in 2018.

Solar and wind power face serious threats from the Trump administration

Podcast: Five Terms that are Key to Successful ADR

4 regions use capacity markets to help ensure adequate resources, but FERC has not fully assessed their performance

Stakes Are High for Solar Power as Puerto Rico Rebuilds