News

A long way to go': How ConEd, Xcel and 4 other utilities are helping cities meet big EV goals

Electric vehicles (EVs) could finish 2021 as 5% of new car sales in the U.S., according to market observers, and are expected to make up a growing share in the years to come. Driven by city and state electrification goals, and now supported by federal infrastructure dollars, the years ahead will be a critical time for utilities working to drive beneficial electrification.

FERC balks at PJM utilities' proposal to profit on network upgrades

With a major transmission buildout looming, utilities have been looking for rule changes that would give them more opportunities to profit on the expansion. In PJM's footprint, which spans 13 Mid-Atlantic and Midwest states, plus Washington, D.C., generators pay for network upgrades needed to safely connect their facilities to the grid. Transmission owners, like Exelon's utility subsidiaries, recover their costs for operating and maintaining the upgrades.

Northeast grid rules could make or break clean energy

New England’s grid operator is considering an overhaul of regional power market rules that could determine whether Northeast states meet their clean energy goals, creating uncertainty in a region pivotal for reaching President Biden’s push for 100 percent clean electricity. With no fossil fuel production and broad interest among the states in advancing clean energy, New England could be a case study on how to develop a multistate carbon-free power market, observers say.

DOE undoes Trump era hurdles to setting appliance efficiency standards, finalizes process rule updates

The federal government's Appliance and Equipment Standards Program reviews efficiency requirements every six years, but the agency has fallen behind, mostly under the Trump administration. According to ASAP, a program within the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, by the time President Joe Biden took office DOE had missed 28 deadlines to consider new product standards — and the clock continues to run.

North Carolina regulators give Duke 4 months to craft carbon reduction plan

North Carolina and its major utilities, with input from stakeholders, are starting to draft plans to slash greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s power plant fleet. One of the key questions is what role natural gas-fired power plants will play in the state’s future. Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolinas, utilities with a total of about 4.3 million customers in North Carolina and South Carolina, filed biennial integrated resources plans last year with state regulators.

Glick Asserts FERC Authority to Mitigate GHG Emissions

Concerns over FERC’s legal authority to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions came up throughout the commission’s technical conference on GHG mitigation Friday (PL21-3). The first panel featured Commissioner James Danly disagreeing with FERC Chair Richard Glick on the commission’s statutory responsibilities under the Natural Gas Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

FERC orders GreenHat, traders to pay $243M for alleged PJM market manipulation

FERC ordered GreenHat, which no longer operates, to pay $179.6 million and company founders John Bartholomew and Kevin Ziegenhorn to pay $25 million each in civil penalties. The agency also ordered GreenHat, the founders and the estate of Andrew Kittell, another founder, to return $13.1 million in unjust profits .Between 2015 and 2018, GreenHat acquired a massive FTR portfolio in PJM, according to FERC.

COP26: The energy transition is here to stay and battery storage is essential to it

COP26 aside, financiers are being driven to invest in decarbonisation by the brute reality of the climate crisis, by public pressure, and by shifting market forces. Spooked by the risks of inaction, 45% of banks disclosing to CDP — the global environmental impact disclosure non-profit group — have aligned their portfolios with net zero. This empowers green technology companies.

Why the U.S. Didn’t Join 40 Other Countries in Pledge to End Coal

The Biden administration arrived this month at international climate talks in Scotland with the intent to prove the United States was again ready to lead the fight against global warming. But when more than 40 countries signed a pledge to phase out coal in the coming decades, the United States was conspicuously absent. The White House’s reluctance to sign the pledge says a lot about coal's continued political influence in the face of declining fortunes.

Congress approves $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill with funding for transmission, hydrogen and EVs

House Democratic leaders on Friday wanted to pass both the infrastructure bill and the budget reconciliation bill, called the Build Back Better Act. But moderate Democrats asked for more financial information about the Build Back Better bill, so a vote on that legislation was delayed. However, in a key procedural step, the House approved a "rule for consideration" for the reconciliation bill, setting the stage for the House to vote on the legislation next week,

Southeast utilities confront extreme weather, new peak demand patterns to avoid Texas-style blackouts

This spring, as officials from the city of Memphis, Tenn., continued exploring whether to leave the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the city’s power provider for more than 80 years, TVA president Jeffrey Lyash issued a stern warning: Look at what happened in Texas. A winter storm a month earlier caused 4.5 million people to lose power across Texas. In Memphis, meanwhile, the power had stayed on even as temperatures dropped. Speaking to the Memphis City Council.

UK government makes energy storage-friendly changes to commercial, industrial and utility-scale clean energy policies

The UK will exempt solar PV, energy storage and other clean energy technologies from business rate rises — the charges levied on non-domestic properties to pay for local services — from April 2023. In what has been considered a major victory for the sector, the exemption was revealed as the country’s Autumn Budget was discussed by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak last week. In a separate policy development, forthcoming tenders for large-scale renewables under the national Contract

Biden claims historic progress on climate efforts at summit

President Joe Biden argued Tuesday that historic progress on addressing global warming was achieved at the U.N. climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, and expressed optimism for a similar outcome in Washington, where his legislative agenda has been stalled by intra-party disagreements. Speaking in a press conference before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington.

When Disaster Strikes, Utility Solar Asset Owners Turn to Recovery Experts

From storm surges to tornadoes and wildfires, natural disasters can wreak havoc on solar power infrastructure — taking out inverters, knocking entire plants offline, and sending owners into a spiral of downtime, repair costs, and lost revenue. With solar losses due to natural catastrophes reaching alarming proportions — 25 times higher than non-weather-related solar losses in 2019* — owners need expert help to get crucial assets back online.

DIVE BRIEF EPA ability to regulate power sector GHG emissions at risk as Supreme Court takes case, analysts say

The Supreme Court's decision to consider four consolidated appeals could hamper the Biden administration's goal of cutting U.S. GHG emissions by up to 52% below 2005 levels by the end of this decade. It comes as the EPA is developing a new plan for cutting emissions from the power sector, the second leading source of carbon emissions behind transportation.

MOPR Rehearing Requests Set Stage for Appellate Review

PJM’s narrowed minimum offer price rule (MOPR), which took effect Sept. 29 after a 2-2 FERC deadlock, is likely headed for an appellate court review. Vistra, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, the Electric Power Supply Association and regulators from Ohio and Pennsylvania filed rehearing requests challenging PJM’s “focused” MOPR last week, after FERC Commissioner James Danly issued a statement explaining his opposition to it (ER21-2582).

ANALYSIS, FEATURES Battery analytics: The game changer for energy storage

Around 25GWh of stationary battery storage is already installed worldwide. This will rapidly increase, as battery storage systems are ideally suited to address the challenges of the energy transition. Unlike most other power plant technologies, batteries can not only supply energy, but also store it. And they can respond to the need to do so within milliseconds.

We like its ability to scale’: Honeywell targets gigawatt-scale storage opportunity with flow battery

In our sponsored webinars with Honeywell earlier this year, members of the company’s Process Solutions team mentioned that the company had been working on a long-duration battery storage technology and that an announcement would be made in due course. Yesterday, the curtain was raised and Honeywell officially announced that it has created a flow battery which it will deploy in pilot projects of increasing size in 2022 and 2023.

North Carolina energy law adds urgency on housing, weatherization funding

A ceremony this month to enact a new North Carolina law to cut power plant pollution produced a rare picture in this often-polarized state: Republican leaders who control the state legislature standing together with Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat.

California groups divided on inclusion of gas in 11.5 GW 'clean' procurement order

When the CPUC passed its 11.5 GW procurement order in June, Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen hailed it as a "landmark decision," noting that "This is enough to power about 2.5 million households in the state, and all this will be coming from renewable or zero-emitting resources."

FERC Commissioners Opine on Western RTO

The possibility of forming a Western RTO with or without California was a central topic at this week’s joint meeting of the Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation and the Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body (CREPC-WIRAB). Held in San Diego and virtually, the three-day summit brought together stakeholders and state regulators from across the West for panels on markets and transmission and to hear from three FERC commissioners.

Boosting transmission between East, West grids will lower costs: NREL

Adding transmission capacity between the Eastern and Western interconnections would reduce costs by allowing wind, solar and natural gas-fired generation to flow more freely across broad regions, according to a recently published study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Thermal power to dominate renewables in the Czech Republic till 2030

Thermal power will continue to dominate in the Czech Republic until 2030, which will slow down the growth of renewables in the country. GlobalData’s latest report, “Czech Republic Power Market Outlook to 2030, Market Trends, Regulations, and Competitive Landscape,” discusses the power market structure of the Czech Republic and provides historical and forecast numbers for capacity, generation and consumption up to 2030.

POLITICO Playbook: The carbon tax makes a comeback

An unusual confluence of factors have brought back a climate-change fighting policy that many Democrats saw as politically toxic: the carbon tax. While the idea has long been the favored tool of economists , some Republicans and the American Petroleum Institute, the Biden White House has always opposed pricing carbon.

EEI, utilities want first crack at transmission development as FERC mulls new rules incentives

One of the key questions the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must decide as it considers making sweeping changes to its transmission rules is whether competition will advance transmission development. The answer to the question could affect utility investments, consumer electric bills and the pace of the renewable energy buildout on the U.S. grid.

Overheard at EBA’s 2021 Mid-Year Forum

The Energy Bar Association last week once again gathered online, this time for its annual Mid-Year Forum, to discuss carbon capture, environmental justice and electric vehicle infrastructure. Dan Sutherland, chief counsel for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, kicked off the two-day event Oct. 12 with a keynote speech and discussion, followed by a panel on cybersecurity risks for the energy industry.

EBA Panel Discusses Management and Mitigation of Cybersecurity Risks

The complexity and velocity of cyberattacks, coupled with the volume of vulnerabilities exploited by increasingly sophisticated bad actors, make managing and mitigating cybersecurity risks for critical energy infrastructure a staggering challenge.

Energy storage product launches in Europe from major Chinese solar companies Trina, Sungrow

Trina Storage launched its new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) utility-scale battery storage cabinet and Sungrow launched its new line of residential battery storage at Intersolar Europe last week. Trina Storage, the energy storage division of China-headquartered vertically integrated solar PV module manufacturer Trina Solar, provides fully-integrated battery energy storage system (BESS) solutions to the renewable energy and grid storage markets. After Trina Storage launched officially in..​

Banks find financing merchant battery storage in the US challenging

The opportunities for energy storage in the US continue to grow and grow, but moving away from contracted revenue structures to merchant risk projects will be a challenge, especially for lenders. Louise Pesce, a project finance banker to the power sector with MUFG — one of the world’s biggest banks — said that her team has seen a “huge uptick” in the last four years in both standalone battery storage and hybrid (storage paired with generation). Seeking to finance projects with bank...

DOE commits $20M to create green hydrogen from nuclear power with Palo Verde project

The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday unveiled plans to spend $20 million on research into the production of clean hydrogen from nuclear power. The money will help pay for a demonstration project by PNW Hydrogen at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Phoenix. DOE’s funding announcement comes amid growing interest by the Biden administration and the utility sector in the potential large-scale use of clean hydrogen to reduce carbon...

Recall over bills signed Now what

TURN, TURN, TURN: With some final swipes of his pen this weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom closed out an unprecedented political year this weekend. That means it’s time to prepare for the next one. Policymaking in 2021 was less chaotic than in the pandemic’s inaugural year, although the virus still forced lawmakers to jettison some bills as Capitol cases proliferated. Even under the shadow of a recall election, some consequential policy came out of Sacramento. Newsom signed legislation to create...

Public Utilities Commission announces new ERCOT board members, chair

Texas power grid operator ERCOT has two new board members, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) announced on Monday. Joining the board will be Paul Foster, the former executive chair of Western Refining Inc., and Carlos Aguilar, president of Texas Central Partners LLC, a company seeking to develop high-speed train service in Texas. Foster will serve as the chair of the ERCOT board. The PUC said the ERCOT board is now constituted in accordance with Senate Bill 2, which shrinks the number..​

Utilities and the decarbonization portfolio

Decarbonization is a topic that presents dramatic long-term change for electric utilities. The goal to achieve significant GHG emissions reduction over a 10- to 30-year horizon also requires utility leaders to take a portfolio-based view of GHG reduction. Early efforts to decarbonize suggest a need to look more closely at a broader spectrum of initiatives to reduce carbon while optimizing around cost and viability, and prioritization of a portfolio of initiatives that have the highest overall...​

Chinas growing power crunch threatens more global supply chain chaos

A growing power supply crunch in China is triggering blackouts for households and forcing factories to cut production, threatening to slow the country's vast economy and place even more strain on global supply chains. Companies in the country's industrial heartlands have been told to limit their energy consumption in order to reduce demand for power, state media has reported. And supply has been cut to some homes, reportedly even trapping people in elevators.

State, federal actions show growing push for a nuclear role in reaching net zero

Support is rising for proposals to keep nuclear plants in business and cut emissions. Nuclear power advocates are increasingly emphasizing the value of existing but financially struggling U.S. nuclear plants in curbing carbon emissions and addressing climate change. Questions about nuclear power's costs and safety that kept it at 18% to 20.6% of U.S. electricity generation from 1990 to 2020 left little support for new plants.

Solar trade woes cast a pall over Bidens climate goals

Tariffs and trade restrictions on imported solar panels could curtail deployment of clean energy desperately needed to hit Biden’s climate goals. President Joe Biden’s climate goals are conflicting with his aim to bolster American manufacturing of solar panels — an industry the U.S. largely lost to China when he was vice president and one that can’t be rebuilt quickly. The White House is counting on solar to play a vital role in Biden’s goal to rapidly eliminate carbon emissions from...

Analysis Shift in energy policy in spotlight for Japans leadership change

Japan's impending leadership change, which would typically not change the course of its energy policy, is in the spotlight due to a potential major shift in focus after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party votes to elect a new president on Sept. 29. Four candidates -- Taro Kono, Fumio Kishida, Sanae Takaichi and Seiko Noda -- are running in the LDP's presidential election after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's abrupt announcement Sept. 3 that he would not re-seek the ruling party's leadership.

UK gas price shock highlights need for energy storage

The impact of high gas prices in the UK has emphasised the need to invest in energy storage technologies, national industry trade group the Electricity Storage Network (ESN), has said. Power prices have surged in the UK due to gas shortages – which have led to prices increasing by 250% since the beginning of the year and 70% since August alone – combined with low winds and a number of outages – including the IFA interconnector, which is down due to a fire at the beginning of September.

LS Power repurposing former New Jersey coal plant site into offshore wind integration hub

A former coal power station site in New Jersey could help integrate the output of offshore wind generators into the electric grid under plans unveiled by a subsidiary of power producer LS Power. Rise Light & Power, a New York-headquartered energy asset manager and developer wholly-owned by LS Power said last week that it wants to develop a project called the Outerbridge Renewable Connector, where EH Werner Power Station in South Amboy, New Jersey, used to stand from 1930 until its decommission.

New York authorizes National Grid to serve retail, bid into wholesale market with upstate battery project

Under New York’s 2018 Energy Storage Order, utilities have a goal of deploying 3,000 MW of storage by 2030. However, most of the state’s utilities fell off pace to meet an interim goal of deploying a combined 350 MW of storage by 2022, which the state has now extended through 2025 to allow for more negotiation and understanding of how storage would work.

Massachusetts utilities propose plans to ramp up electric vehicle infrastructure

Clean transportation advocates are declaring measured support for Massachusetts electric utilities’ proposals to spend $470 million on programs to help the state reach its ambitious goals for electrifying transportation over the next decade.

Advancing the energy transition requires an honest discussion of costs, outages and land, analysts say

Recent extreme weather-driven outages around the country, and threats of more, make clear the urgent need to transition to a variable and distributed resources power system that eliminates the emissions aggravating the climate crisis, scientists agree.

Panel Dissects FERC Tx Planning Review

Creating an equitable transmission grid for the United States will require not only thinking about the impact of new projects on low-income and disadvantaged “environmental justice” communities, but also recognizing “the equity implications of the status quo are pretty dire,” said Alexandra Klass, a professor at the University of Minnesota Law School.

PJM TOs Respond to FERC Questions on Rate-base Network Upgrades

Michael Yoder PJM transmission owners responded to FERC’s deficiency notice on their proposal to add network upgrades to rate base, arguing that the RTO’s tariff provides TOs with the “express authority” to make changes to any of the sections relating to transmission revenue requirements, cost allocation or cost recovery (ER21-2282). In August, the commission directed the TOs to provide evidence backing up claims that their ability to raise capital is being threatened because they must...

Illinois Law Requires 100 Percent Clean Energy, Aids Nuclear Plants

Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker, a Democrat, signed legislation on Sept. 15 that puts the state on the path to 100 percent clean energy by 2050. The law sets a goal of 50 percent renewable energy by 2040 and provides financial support for the states’ existing nuclear plants at risk of closure due to market conditions. The legislation expands the state’s renewable portfolio standard to 40 percent by 2030 from the current level of 25 percent by 2026.

Landmark Ill. climate bill passes in boon for nuclear, renewables

After struggling for years to meet its clean energy goals, Illinois is poised for a wind and solar boom after the General Assembly gave final approval to sweeping legislation that will authorize more than a half-billion dollars a year in renewable spending

Investment tax credit for energy storage systems over 5kWh in US budget proposal

Investment tax credit (ITC) incentives for energy storage have been included in the US House of Representatives’ chief tax-writing committee, along with extensions to the solar ITC and reintroduction of a solar production tax credit (PTC).

Modernizing America's power grid to withstand an uncertain, climate changing future

As the U.S. and Canada power industry transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energy, there's been a lot of talk about ensuring our power grid can reliably deliver electricity when the wind isn't blowing or at night, when a solar plant can't harvest the sun's rays. And while reliability is a critical factor to address as more utilities move toward clean energy power sources, recent super storms, such as the February 2021 winter storm that incapacitated the Texas electrical grid.

FERC Workshop Participants Differ on GETs Incentives

Participants at FERC’s workshop Friday on performance-based ratemaking approaches universally support grid-enhancing technologies (GETs), but they disagree on how best to foster their adoption by transmission owners and RTOs/ISOs (RM20-10, AD19-19).

New York directs utilities to submit transmission proposals as decarbonization deadline looms

New York State's power line push comes as the federal government focuses on boosting transmission capacity, both inside the country and with Canada, in order to connect with the growing solar, wind and energy storage projects needed to decarbonize the grid.

With FERC now split 2-2, clean energy advocates call for caution and urgency to fill vacant seat

With the five-seat Federal Energy Regulatory Commission now split between two Democrats and two Republicans, it is "critical" that President Joe Biden quickly nominates a new commissioner to break ties and advance policies that combat climate change, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., told Utility Dive in an interview.

EPA Webinar: Public-private PPAs Growing Fast

The Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA) reports exponential growth of corporate-scale renewable energy deals in recent years While many cities have made significant progress in procuring renewable electricity to meet their own municipal demand and achieve their communitywide renewable goals, partnerships with anchor corporate community members are going to be critical, said Holly Elwood, senior adviser to EPA’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program, which hosted a webinar Wednesday.

European court says German energy regulatory methods are insufficient

he Court of Justice of the European Union on Thursday said Germany's energy regulator must be more independent in applying the bloc's electricity and gas regulations. The CJEU criticised the Bundesnetzagentur's (BnetzA), practices regarding company unbundling rules and methods related to the calculation of network tariffs. It sided with the EU Commission in a case which will be relevant to continued moves to more decarbonised systems known as the "energy transition".

With energy bill in limbo, Ill. braces for nuclear closure

The Illinois Senate passed a bill last week that would spare the plant, providing $694 million in nuclear aid over five years. The 980-page energy and climate bill would also spur a huge build-out of solar energy, help put more electric vehicles on Illinois highways and include an array of equity provisions and labor standards aimed at ensuring that the benefits of a transition away from fossil fuels are widely shared.

As DOE ramps up Hydrogen Shot initiative, debate about means of production begins

With the U.S. Department of Energy choosing hydrogen for the first of several new initiatives aimed at decarbonizing the electric grid, and with multiple dignitaries expressing a belief that hydrogen will prove critical to fully eliminating carbon emissions, the hydrogen moment seems to have officially gone mainstream. But the next debate may entail how hydrogen fuel will — or should — be produced.​

Nuclear reactors of the future have a fuel problem

President Joe Biden entered office being hailed by nuclear power advocates as perhaps the most pro-nuclear-energy president ever. He followed up his campaign trail discussions of nuclear energy as a necessary source of carbon-free emissions with a budget that proposed a record-setting $1.85 billion for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy.

Delhi government minister emphasises need for battery storage at visit to 10MW facility

India’s biggest grid-scale battery storage system to date received a visit from Delhi government minister Satyendar Jain, who emphasized the urgent need for energy storage to stabilize the grid and incorporate higher shares of renewable energy sources.

Interesting fundamental drivers for energy storage’ in Greece

According to Corentin Baschet, head of market analysis at energy storage consultancy group Clean Horizon, a number of “interesting fundamental drivers” exist in the southern European country which are converging. Already 9GW of energy storage applications — including batteries and pumped hydro — have been received since 2019 by the Greek market regulator RAE and 4GW of projects have already received licenses, Baschet told Energy-Storage.news.

DC Circuit Upholds FERC Ruling on SPP Z2 Saga

FERC acted correctly in reversing a retroactive waiver it had granted SPP over collecting transmission upgrade costs, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday, even as it acknowledged its order granted a “free pass” to some users of the system.

Transmission tower destroyed by Ida likely to complicate power restoration in New Orleans, experts say

Hurricane Ida knocked out all eight transmission lines feeding power into New Orleans over the weekend, and with its 150 mph winds also toppled a 400-foot tower that experts say will complicate efforts by Entergy, the regional utility, to restore power. The collapsed tower will be difficult to replace or repair quickly, said Joshua Rhodes, research associate at the Webber Energy Group at the University of Texas at Austin. "It is a massive piece of infrastructure," he said.

U.S. Energy Secretary Granholm Says U.S. Must Act With Urgency to Reduce Planet-Warming Emissions

In her first official visit as the nation’s top energy official, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm returned to Berkeley last week to promote the Biden administration’s clean energy agenda. Granholm, a UC Berkeley graduate and former scholar at the Goldman School of Public Policy, on Friday reviewed desalination and battery storage technology innovations at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), where she once worked as a project scientist.

PJM's minimum offer price rule overhaul will 'crater' capacity market

The PJM Interconnection is facing fierce pushback to its proposed replacement for a highly contentious minimum offer price rule, or MOPR, used to blunt the effect of member states' clean energy policies in the grid operator's multibillion-dollar capacity market.

California begins brainstorming approaches to a high-DER grid of the future

The CPUC opened "the mother of all proceedings" to better integrate solar, storage, EVs and other distributed resources into the grid — issues that experts say have previously been kicked down the road. In comments filed with the agency this week, utilities, clean energy groups and other stakeholders highlighted a host of priorities for the ambitious effort.

Oregon Study to Examine Benefits, Risks of RTO Participation

Oregon’s Department of Energy (ODOE) is seeking input from power industry stakeholders to help produce a study that could convince lawmakers to obligate the state’s utilities to participate in an RTO. The effort comes on the heels of the passage of Senate Bill 589, which requires the department to prepare a report outlining the “benefits, opportunities and challenges posed by development or expansion of regional transmission organization” in Oregon.

Generators, labor groups urge New York to develop incentives for nonrenewable generation

New York passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in 2019, requiring 70% of its electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040, en route to full decarbonization of the state's economy a decade later. The first goal is in reach, generators say, but eliminating all emissions will require the development of new technologies, and they want the state to assist.

Illinois regulators launch probe of ComEd in wake of bribery scandal

Illinois regulators have opened an investigation into whether customers of Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) were charged for any costs associated with a bribery scandal the utility admitted to last year. The Exelon subsidiary agreed to pay a $200 million fine to resolve the case.

Widespread Power Outages from Winter Storms Draw Attention to Cold Weather Reliability

The mid-February Winter Storm Uri, which caused widespread power outages across the south-central U.S., has sharply brought cold weather reliability standards to the forefront of regulatory and market attention. Texas, which experienced the worst power outages resulting from the storm, has passed legislation and initiated investigations to address the impacts of the grid event.

An ideal marriage? The battle to match US clean energy demand with excess Canadian hydropower

With massive reservoirs deep in the northern woods, Québec and other Canadian provinces produce a surplus of hydropower, one of the oldest forms of renewable energy around. On the other side of the border, in New England and New York, state governments are pushing ahead with ambitious plans to decarbonize their power grids.

Infrastructure bill contains less transmission funding than advertised

News articles on the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which passed the Senate last week, have reported that it contains $73 billion for power grid upgrades and transmission, a figure drawn from a July 28 White House fact sheet. “The deal’s $73 billion investment is the single largest investment in clean energy transmission in American history,” the fact sheet states.

Hydrogen could fill multiple gaps in the US energy system, but will energy regulations allow it to?

Industrial gas producer Air Liquide is no stranger to the hydrogen industry. But participation in utility ratemaking cases — that's a new experience. Utility interest in hydrogen presents a significant opportunity for the resource and has filled the inbox of Dave Edwards, director and advocate for hydrogen energy at Air Liquide, in recent years. But for hydrogen to reach its full potential, Edwards said, multiple barriers must still be overcome, including the need for a regulatory framework t

FERC requests more evidence of reliability impacts as Spire STL pipeline seeks temporary approval

Spire STL Pipeline and stakeholders across its Missouri territory are continuing their push for federal regulators to approve temporary operations of the facility while the project assesses its path forward following a potentially detrimental court ruling.

SPP Board Of Directors Approves Western RTO Expansion Terms And Conditions

Southwest Power Pool’s (SPP) board of directors and its strategic planning committee approved the submitted policy-level terms and conditions for regional transmission organization (RTO) expansion in the Western Interconnection during its quarterly joint stakeholder meeting in late July.

Focal points forming around next big energy bill

BOSTON (SHNS) – If recent sessions are any guide, there is a good chance Gov. Charlie Baker will be poring over an omnibus energy and climate bill a year from now with lawmakers, advocates and industry representatives waiting eagerly for the signing ceremony.

California's Aliso Canyon review could offer key lessons on transition from natural gas, analysts say

California regulators are taking a closer look at the possibility of closing one of the nation's largest natural gas storage facilities, located just northwest of Los Angeles, in an effort that some experts think could offer valuable lessons on a broader transition away from the fuel.

Court orders new NEPA review for Texas LNG plants

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must reconsider the climate and environmental justice impacts of a pair of proposed liquefied natural gas terminals in Texas, a federal court ruled yesterday. The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is a notable win for environmental groups and local advocates that had argued that FERC had failed to fully address the greenhouse gas and public health effects of the Texas LNG facility, as well as the Rio Grande...

Bipartisan $1T Senate infrastructure bill focuses on nuclear, carbon capture, transmission

A bipartisan group of senators on Sunday unveiled its nearly $1 trillion infrastructure bill, formalized into text following a 67-32 consensus to advance the legislation. The vote to advance the bill included the support of 17 Republicans. The approximately 2,700-page bill would invest billions of dollars in transmission and grid infrastructure, new advanced nuclear plants as well as current nuclear facilities, electric vehicle infrastructure, carbon capture and other clean energy resources. ​

Massachusetts grants focus on equity in offshore wind workforce development

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has awarded $1.6 million in grants to eight offshore wind workforce training programs aimed at reducing specific obstacles for people of color and low-income people. A Massachusetts clean energy agency has awarded $1.6 million in grants to eight offshore wind workforce training programs, each of which targets a specific obstacle that might prevent people of color and low-income people from pursuing jobs in the burgeoning industry.

Illinois law makes it tougher for HOAs to block homeowners solar projects

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the law last week, prohibiting homeowner associations from banning solar on specific parts of a home or enforcing restrictions that would reduce an installation’s output by more than 10%. A new Illinois law expands protections for homeowners seeking to install solar and facing opposition from their homeowners associations, including by prohibiting HOAs from banning solar on specific parts of a home and banning restrictions that reduce an installation’s output by...

Report details blistering pace of renewables needed for net-zero

Replacing the U.S. grid’s fossil fuel foundation with clean energy in three decades will require societal transformations on an equally daunting scale, a new report by an Australian energy and engineering company concludes. “[I]t won’t be enough to incrementally improve traditional infrastructure delivery processes: we need to change the processes themselves," the report by Worley Ltd. says. "Businesses and governments need to find solutions to address every area of the process.

Illinois lawmakers call for action to help preserve Byron Nuclear Plant

A group of lawmakers, including two from the Stateline, are calling for action to be taken to help save two nuclear plants, including Byron's. State Senator Brian Stewart (R-Freeport) along with Deputy House Republican Leader Tom Demmer (R-Dixon), House Republican Conference Chair Leader David Welter (R-Morris) and Deputy Senate Republican Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris) issued a joint statement Monday. Part of the statement talks about lawmakers coming back to the table to negotiate a deal...​

Special report: Regulatory roadmap can facilitate approval process for offshore wind projects

Developers need to be familiar with laws and regulations administered by at least 13 different agencies. The Biden administration is making a significant push for the development of offshore wind energy, an effort that in many ways bolsters and complements what has been happening at the state level, particularly in the northeastern United States. The goal here is to describe the regulatory framework governing offshore federal wind leases, and provide some insight to the inter-agency and...

Best Market in the World Faces Uncertain Future

ERCOT Stakeholders Debate Texas Grid’s Future at EBA Summit Peter Cramton, ERCOT board member for more than five years and board vice chair for 15 days, spoke wistfully of his tenure, which ended shortly after Winter Storm Uri brought the grid to its knees. “I still believe ERCOT is the best market in the world,” he said earlier this month during a symposium on Texas’ energy system sponsored by the Energy Bar Association (EBA) and the University of Texas School of Law.

Chinas Ganfeng, Dongfeng sign solid-state battery deal

China's state-controlled automaker Dongfeng has signed an agreement with domestic lithium battery producer Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Battery to develop, promote and demonstrate the viability of Dongfeng's E70 solid-state battery model. "Ganfeng will work with Dongfeng's technology centre to promote the industrialisation of new solid-state battery technology," Ganfeng Lithium chairman Li Liangbin said recently. Ganfeng Lithium will continue to expand its output of solid-state batteries from...​

EU State aid: Commission approves 30.5 billion euro French scheme to support renewable energy

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a French aid scheme to support renewable electricity production. The measure will help France achieve its renewable energy targets without unduly distorting competition and will contribute to the European objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “This aid measure will stimulate development of key renewable energy sources, and support...

A Rhode Island utility successfully lobbied to increase solar net metering

As larger utilities seek to limit payments for customer-generated solar power, the ratepayer-owned Block Island Power Company convinced state legislators this session to remove a previous cap on its net metering program. A small Rhode Island utility this year did something virtually unheard of in its industry: It lobbied for permission to buy more solar power from its customers.

California PUC unveils draft plan for 'forward-thinking' distributed energy policy

California utility regulators last week issued a draft distributed energy resources (DER) action plan, intended to create a roadmap to roll out "forward-thinking" policy amid expected increases in DER deployments across the state. The plan is split into four tracks, which include creating more effective retail rate and demand response structures; ensuring that utility infrastructure planning can maximize the value of DERs that are connected to the grid;integrating DERs into wholesale markets...​

Pipeline seeks emergency FERC approval after courtroom blow

The company behind the Spire STL pipeline is seeking an emergency authorization to keep the project operating after a landmark court ruling last month axed a key approval for the natural gas conduit. Spire Inc. submitted a request yesterday for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue an emergency certificate allowing the pipeline to temporarily keep carrying natural gas to the St. Louis area.

Dell won't ship energy-hungry PCs to California and five other US states due to power regulations

Energy efficiency rules appear to be limiting the availability of gaming rigs Dell is no longer shipping energy-hungry gaming PCs to certain states in America because they demand more energy than local standards allow. Customers seeking to purchase, for example, an Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 Gaming Desktop from Dell's website and have it shipped to California are now presented with a message that tells buyers they're out of luck.

NextEra adds 1,840 MW renewables and storage to more than 15 GW backlog in Q2

NextEra Energy subsidiary Florida Power & Light (FPL) in June "demolished" its last coal-fired plant in the state, and plans to replace it with a solar energy complex, Rebecca Kujawa, executive vice president of finance and chief financial officer, told analysts Friday during the company's second quarter earnings call. NextEra Energy Resources, the multi-state utility company's renewable subsidiary, added 1,840 MW of renewable and energy storage projects to its backlog during the second...

Using Predictive AI to Intelligently Control Microgrids for Optimization and Resilience

Distributed, decentralized energy sources have spawned residential, commercial, and industrial microgrids, many with their own green energy-generating assets (hydro, solar, wind, and battery). The task of managing and controlling these microgrids for reliability and efficiency has become extremely challenging due to the unpredictable nature of DERs. In this webinar, utilities, independent power producers, and microgrid developers will discover how to intelligently optimize and control...

Condo owners appeal could be last legal hurdle for offshore wind in Great Lakes

Briefs mark the latest milestone toward building Lake Erie’s first offshore energy — a resource that might someday supply up to a fifth of Ohio’s electricity. A legal challenge by two lakeview condo dwellers seeking to block Lake Erie’s first offshore wind farm faces a high legal bar before the Ohio Supreme Court — with equally high stakes for clean energy in the region. The Icebreaker Windpower project’s six turbines would sit roughly 8 to 10 miles northwest of Cleveland and produce...

Cost allocation remains key challenge for FERC ahead of transmission reform, Glick says

As federal regulators begin the long process of tackling transmission reform, one of several outstanding challenges will be how to allocate costs, according to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Richard Glick. "When you're talking about money — when you're talking about who pays and how much — that's always a difficult issue," Glick said in an interview with Utility Dive. "I suspect that's going to be a significant topic to wade through as well as we go forward," he added.

FERC issues preliminary permit for 2.65GW pumped hydro storage plant in Washington

A proposed 2,650MW pumped hydro energy storage project in Washington State has received a preliminary permit from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Developer Daybreak Power said yesterday that its US$4.9 billion Halverson Canyon Pumped Storage project received the favourable regulatory decision just before the end of June. The project would be built about 35 miles upstream from the Columbia River’s Grand Coulee Dam and Daybreak said it would enable the integration and...

Siemens and Fluence to build renewables-integrating 100MW/200MWh battery project in Germany

Siemens has signed a letter of intent for the construction of a turnkey 100MW / 200MWh large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) in Wunsiedel, northern Bavaria, Germany. Siemens Smart Infrastructure, a business unit of the engineering giant which focuses on smart and digital energy, industry and building solutions signed the letter with Zukunftsenergie Nordostbayern (Future Energy North-East Bayern), a consortium of regional stakeholders including utility suppliers, that are looking...​

Gridlock in transmission queues spotlights need for FERC action on planning

Last week's announcement of a new federal proceeding on transmission planning comes as time gets short to overcome regulatory obstacles and build the modern transmission system needed to beat the climate crisis, developers, former federal regulators and analysts said. New transmission projects can take five to ten years to site, permit and build. Given that, requests for wires to deliver clean energy are stacking up on wait lists for utilities and system operators, and may not be in place...

Cyber leaders officially join the ranks as White House grapples with remediation

The White House swore in Chris Inglis as the first national cyber director on Tuesday, the same day the Senate voted to confirm Jen Easterly as director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. While Inglis and Easterly sat before Congress in a nomination hearing in June, Inglis was quickly confirmed while Easterly's nomination waited in limbo. Easterly's late confirmation was due to a Congressional recess following political strife.

Challenge to Berkeley gas regulation dismissed, a win for cities in carbon emissions fight

A District Court judge dismissed a lawsuit last week challenging the city of Berkeley, California's 2019 ban on natural gas infrastructure in new low-rise residential buildings, a decision that some observers say could inspire more cities to follow with their own restrictions. In a lawsuit brought by the California Restaurant Association (CRA), U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers for the Northern District of California stated that the local regulation is not preempted by the...

Bring On More Solar And Wind But Have Backup Power And Energy Storage

Like many utilities, the Omaha Public Power District has a net-zero goal by 2050 — something that it expects to achieve by increasing the use of green energy. And like all power companies, Omaha’s plan includes the use of flexible energy sources that can kick on when the sun stops shining. Everyone already knows that wind and solar energy are intermittent fuels. They must be firmed up by energy storage or fast-starting generation that ideally is also carbon-free.

Register NOW: EBA's Unbiased, In-depth, Forward-focused Symposium is THURSDAY!

As you may know, EBA and the University of TX will present an unbiased, in-depth, and forward-focused Symposium THIS WEEK, on July 15th, featuring an outstanding lineup of industry experts on what Texas energy markets – and other organized markets – are doing in the wake of Winter Storm Uri and other major storms and what needs to be done to prevent similar failures in the future.

Western officials reckon with reliability challenges as heat and 'wildcard' wildfire threaten grid

Energy officials in the Western U.S. are reckoning with short and long-term electricity reliability challenges as soaring temperatures and a "wildcard" wildfire strain the power grid. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO), over the weekend, urged consumers to conserve electricity, as the state experienced triple-digit temperatures, lost some generating capacity, and was faced by a quickly spreading wildfire in Oregon that jeopardized stretches of transmission lines used to...

Doesn't make sense: Analysts pan omissions in MISOs first electrification impact analysis

Transportation, building and industrial electrification are needed to reduce power system emissions, but are also a threat to system reliability, according to a report from one of the biggest U.S. grid operators. The use of clean energy-generated electricity by those sectors will significantly increase and change system load and peaks, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator's (MISO) Electrification Insights, published in April, reported. The level and pace of change remain uncertain...

New York to test green hydrogen at Long Island power plant

The New York Power Authority is gearing up to launch a green hydrogen demonstration project at its gas-fired power plant on Long Island. The project, slated to begin construction in the fall, will involve replacing up to 30% of the plant's gas-fired power with green hydrogen, which is created with renewable energy, in this case hydro power from Canada. New York's decision to begin testing the use of green hydrogen comes amid growing interest in the energy source globally...

Biden order could prompt FERC to act on utility-sector competition, experts say

A new executive order issued by U.S. President Joe Biden could serve as an impetus for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to crack down on anti-competitive behavior while encouraging more wholesale power market expansion, according to industry experts. The order, issued late July 9, aims to establish a "whole-of-government" approach to "address overconcentration, monopolization, and unfair competition in the American economy." It directs federal agencies, including FERC, to adoptt...

How Big Can Renewable Energy Get in the Next 10 Years?

The Biden administration wants 80% of U.S. power to come from clean sources. Three experts discuss whether that’s doable—and if so, how. Growth in clean energy is accelerating, both in the U.S. and abroad. Last year, the world added a record of more than 260 gigawatts of renewable-electricity capacity, almost 50% more than in 2019, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. The U.S. was one of the biggest growth markets, the agency said, adding 29 gigawatts of capacity, almost...​

Biden Energy Policy: How Red States Saved New Mexico

A lawsuit has halted a policy that would have cost New Mexico more than $1 billion in revenue by 2022. On June 15, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge Terry Doughty issued a preliminary injunction halting the Biden administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas permits on federal lands and in federally controlled offshore areas in the Gulf of Mexico. The lawsuit was filed by 14 states that were set to lose out on significant oil and gas development if the moratorium remained in place indefinitely.

Portugals energy policies set a clear pathway towards 2050 carbon neutrality, according to new IEA review

Portugal’s equitable and well-balanced plans for reaching a carbon-neutral economy should support the country’s economic growth and energy security, according to a new energy policy review by the International Energy Agency. Portugal’s energy and climate policies aim to reach carbon neutrality primarily through broad electrification of energy demand and a rapid expansion of renewable electricity generation, along with increased energy efficiency.

From green to gold: 5 ways CFOs can gain from climate risk disclosure

CFOs face rising heat to combat climate change from a range of stakeholders. Activists demand commitments to shrink carbon footprints. Investors want both green operations and robust profits. Regulators — including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) — are gearing up to require detailed disclosures on climate risks. When handling such pressure, financial executives draw from an ill-fitting set of tools. They lack a single, detailed framework for measuring climate risk that is...

DOE proposes 2nd round of process rule changes to navigate 'maze of obstacles' left behind by Trump

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Wednesday proposed reversing changes made to the "Process Rule" by the Trump administration, which experts say made it more difficult to strengthen energy saving standards for appliances and equipment. This is the second round of proposed changes to the process rule under President Joe Biden. DOE under President Donald Trump "left behind a maze of obstacles for this administration," Andrew deLaski, executive director...

Can Bidens signature climate policy clear Senate rules?

Democrats may struggle to revamp President Joe Biden's signature climate policy to comply with strict budget rules that govern the reconciliation process, the legislative maneuver they are using to bypass the filibuster. The Biden administration asserted this week it is committed to passing a clean electricity standard, its signature climate policy, in a Democratic-only infrastructure bill. The policy is central to achieving Biden’s goal of generating 100% carbon-free power by 2035 and...

Engie Chile wins 1.5GW of hybrid wind-solar-storage development rights

Engie Chile has been awarded rights to develop two hybrid projects in Chile that will combine solar, wind and battery storage and have a combined capacity of 1.5GW. The concessions to the projects, which will be constructed in the northern Antofagasta region, were secured by the company through a public tender process carried out by Chile’s ministry of national assets. As part of 40-year concessions, Engie Chile will develop at least 920MW of renewables capacity at the Pampa Fidelia site..​

Report: Value Chains, Human Rights Trend in Global Climate Change Litigation

As the most litigious region on climate change issues, the U.S. may find existing and future cases in its courts influenced by global trends in cases that relate to value chains, human rights and subsidies. “Since the signing of the Paris Agreement, we have seen over 1,000 climate change cases, and nearly 200 of those were filed between May 2020 and May 2021,” said Joana Setzer, assistant professorial research fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and...

Needed: An Effective Nuclear Energy Policy

One of the diverse U.S. nuclear industry’s strengths is that it is largely privately owned, and it is for this reason that the nuclear innovation in the U.S. is unparalleled. American nuclear companies could have much to offer in a world where hundreds of millions of people are still without access to electricity, and where some competitors in the field have questionable commitment to transparent business practices or political freedom. America’s freedom of enterprise is one of its greatest...

Can New Laws Overcome Tx Permitting Roadblocks?

If there is one thing Republicans and Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy can agree on, it is the need to reform the yearslong, expensive and often project-killing process that permitting new, interregional transmission lines has become. However, as seen at Tuesday’s subcommittee hearing on transmission, sharp disagreements arise on what reforms may be needed and whether they can be put in place in time to permit the thousands of miles of new transmission...

Building a US clean manufacturing strategy to counter China and tackle climate change

President Joe Biden returned recently from his first foreign trip, during which he sought the help of allies to "win the 21st century" by countering China and addressing climate change. The United States, though, lacks an integrated strategy to take on the most important issue linking these two challenges: clean manufacturing. In the past, manufacturing and climate have largely been considered in separate policy silos. Sometimes, they have been pitted against one another.

California braces for energy resource shortfalls amid extreme heat and drought

The California grid operator on Sunday warned that rising temperatures and drought conditions mean there could be resource shortfalls early in the week. Electricity consumers should be prepared to reduce their consumption, the Independent System Operator (CAISO) said. Demand response and customer conservation "are going to be critical to getting through the year," CAISO President and CEO Elliot Mainzer said Friday in a virtual discussion hosted by the U.S. Energy Association (USEA).

New Gas-Fired Units Would Replace Coal at Indiana Plant

CenterPoint Energy could begin construction of two new natural gas-fired units to serve electricity customers in Indiana as soon as next year, if state regulators approve the utility’s plan that includes the closure of two units of a coal-fired power plant at a site along the Ohio River. CenterPoint’s $323-million proposal to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) is part of the utility’s long-term power generation transition.

South Carolina regulators OK a dramatically revamped Dominion IRP

South Carolina regulators have approved Dominion Energy’s integrated resources plan, or IRP, which spells out its power development and purchasing plans for the next 15 years. The state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) earlier this month accepted the utility’s 2020 IRP after rejecting an earlier version last December due to the company's failure to include a demand side management option. The company also failed to model for additional renewable resources or coal-plant retirements...

Massachusetts state rep, favored by renewables industry, emerges among the frontrunners to fill FERC seat

Maria Duaime Robinson, a Massachusetts state representative, is among the frontrunners to replace Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner Neil Chatterjee, sources confirm. Though a final nominee has not yet been announced, Robinson has been vetted by the White House and is considered a favorite among some in the renewable energy industry and among competitive power interests, according to sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak...

Hawaii Microgrid Tariff Framework Could Become Model for Other States

Last month Hawai‘i become only the second state with a formal microgrid services tariff, and its framework could become a model for other states, according to Microgrid Knowledge, a national publication. The Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission approved the microgrid services tariff in May, following a process of about two years. California was the first state to do so, with approval of its microgrid tariff in January.

Senegal to break up state energy monopoly to allow private investment

A pair of bills passed by Senegal’s parliament over the weekend will break up the monopoly of its state power company and open up the country’s electricity market to private investment, the energy minister said on Monday. Senelec, Senegal’s state power company, will be restructured into a holding company with several subsidiaries, granting private firms access to transmission and distribution networks, Energy Minister Aissatou Sophie Gladima said.

FERC, NARUC to Establish Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) announced the formation of a joint federal-state task force on electric transmission, which FERC established by a recently issued order. Members of this first-of-its-kind task force will explore transmission-related issues to identify and realize the benefits that transmission can provide, while ensuring that the costs are allocated efficiently and fairly.

US grid needs overhaul to keep up with renewable revolution, says GE exec, Sen. Heinrich

To meet increasingly ambitious federal and state decarbonization goals, the U.S. power sector requires a major overhaul of its electric grid, industry experts noted in a discussion Axios held last week. Tens of billions of dollars are needed to deal with a massive inflow of energy from renewable sources, as well as to harden the grid against potential cyberattacks and natural disasters. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-NM, said he is pushing to include tax credits for grid and transmission line....​

A Long-Awaited Participatory Revolution in Energy Regulation

In 1978, Congress directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to create an Office of Public Participation (OPP) to enhance the public’s ability to weigh in on energy policy. For over four decades, FERC took no action to create or staff such an office. Today, though, the OPP appears finally on the precipice of coming into existence. Last December, Congress instructed FERC to file a report by late June 2021 detailing its progress toward establishing an OPP.

Inside Europes newest frequency response opportunity for energy storage, aFRR

A cross-border platform is being created in Europe for the provision of secondary reserve to maintain the grid's operating frequency, which will be open to energy storage in the coming years. Tanguy Poirot, analyst, and Corentin Baschet, head of market analysis at energy storage specialist consultancy Clean Horizon take a deep dive into how the new automatic frequency restoration reserve (aFRR) market might look, and why it has potential to be so significant for Europe's energy storage market.

South Carolina regulators reject Duke's long-term power plant construction plans, call for changes

South Carolina regulators on Thursday rejected Duke Energy's integrated resource plan (IRP), which contained several different proposals for meeting long-term demand including development of new gas-fired plants. The Public Service Commission (PSC) is asking the utility to make several changes to its plan related to natural gas cost projections and how it models the competitiveness of renewables and storage.

Tx, Environmental Justice Front and Center at EBA Northeast

Former FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff last week said that four elements must be in place for the Biden administration to reach its stated goal of decarbonizing the electric grid by 2035. The list includes more RTOs (including in the Southeast and West), integration of transmission planning with the interconnection queue, national transmission planning — and an entity to oversee that planning.

California utilities object to fossil fuel requirements in proposed 11.5 GW procurement package

California utilities are pushing back against new proposals from the state Public Utilities Commission that would have them procure hundreds of megawatts of fossil fuel resources as part of a larger 11.5 GW package aimed at bolstering the grid after the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant is retired. The agency is reviewing two proposed decisions, one of which includes 500 MW of natural gas resources and the other between 1,000 MW and 1,500 MW.

U.S. nuclear regulator approves fuel for next-generation reactors

WASHINGTON, June 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. nuclear power regulator has approved production of uranium fuel that is far more enriched than fuel for conventional nuclear power plants, the company aiming to make the material said on Monday. The fuel is known as high-assay, low-enriched uranium, or HALEU. Nonproliferation experts are concerned about the fuel as it is easier to convert into fissile material, the key component of nuclear weapons, than conventional reactor fuel.

How voltage optimization helps utilities learn more about their grid

Many electric utilities are deploying advanced voltage optimization (VO) technology for energy conservation: VO can save up to 4% of the energy supplied to a grid. Deployment of VO technology can illuminate existing grid issues, and addressing those areas can help utilities to further improve reliability, performance, safety and customer service.

Who determines energy policy in North Carolina?

Are offshore wind farms a job creating investment that makes North Carolina’s energy portfolio more environmentally friendly? That is debatable, but, more important, who gets to make the call one way or another? Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson doesn’t think it should be the left up to one partisan politician, and so, when Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order last week committing the state to pursuing such a strategy, Robinson wasted no time in clapping back that the policy — and the process...

Biden looks to turn around US dependence on lithium battery imports

Emphasis has been placed once again on the importance of developing domestic battery supply chains for electric vehicles and energy storage by the administration of US President Joe Biden, with the country currently highly dependent on imports. In late February, President Biden announced a 100-day review of supply chains for critical materials and components in four different industry sectors, with advanced high-capacity batteries highlighted among them.

Texas Governor Enacts Grid Reliability Measures, Including Power Plant Weatherization, ERCOT Reforms

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law sweeping bills approved by Texas legislators that will require power generators in the state to weatherize against extreme events and revamp organizational oversight of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Hours before the state’s regular 140-day legislative session dwindled to its end on May 30—and amid high-profile drama related to a GOP priority voting bill—Texas House and Senate lawmakers approved a series of last-minute changes...

Duke, Southern other utilities provide more details to FERC on proposed Southeast energy market

Utilities pursuing a centralized energy exchange market in the Southeast on Monday night filed an updated proposal with federal regulators, in an effort to provide more transparency on how the plan would work. Duke Energy, Southern Company, the Tennessee Valley Authority and others are attempting to create a Southeast Energy Exchange Market (SEEM) that would extend the Southeast's current bilateral market, creating a 15-minute energy exchange intended to more efficiently use existing...

Colorado legislators direct all transmission utilities to join an organized wholesale market by 2030

A bipartisan bill requiring all Colorado transmission utilities to join an organized wholesale market by 2030 cleared the Colorado legislature last Thursday, drawing praise from both advocates and utilities. Senate Bill 72 will also create an independent Colorado electric transmission authority to establish intrastate electric transmission corridors and to operate transmission and storage facilities as needed to enable Colorado utilities to physically participate regional markets.

California utility SCE signed 1,360MW of energy storage contracts in 2020

Southern California Edison (SCE), one of California’s three main investor-owned utilities, procured 1,360MW of battery energy storage during last year, according to an annual sustainability report for 2020 just published by parent company Edison International. The numbers may not come as too much of a surprise to regular readers of Energy-Storage.news, with the utility having made a number of big procurements in 2020 that by December had taken it beyond 2,000MW of procured and contracted...

Texas grid operator urges electricity conservation as many power generators are unexpectedly offline and temperatures rise

Texas’ main power grid struggled to keep up with the demand for electricity Monday, prompting the operator to ask Texans to conserve power until Friday. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said in a statement Monday that a significant number of unexpected power plant outages, combined with expected record use of electricity due to hot weather, has resulted in tight grid conditions. Approximately 12,000 megawatts of generation were offline Monday, or enough to power 2.4 million homes...

Nevada passes clean energy bill requiring state to join RTO, accelerating $2B transmission project

The Nevada legislature on Monday approved a sweeping clean energy bill that aims to accelerate construction of a massive transmission project, increase spending on electric vehicle infrastructure and require that the state join a regional transmission organization (RTO) by 2030. Senate Bill 448 puts legislative backing behind the planned $2 billion "Greenlink Nevada" transmission upgrade, which would construct two new 525-kilovolt transmission lines that would essentially link...

SEIA joins lawsuit to roll back FERCs latest PURPA rules

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and other petitioners have challenged in federal court the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC’s) recent rulemaking for PURPA that they said “effectively guts” the law’s implementation. The PURPA law “is the sole federal policy requiring monopoly utilities to purchase energy from renewable sources,” the petitioners said. “PURPA has always been unpopular with monopoly utilities and their allies,” which have consistently “lobbied for...​

Positive Signs Support Solar Sector

Government support, lower costs, and technology advancements are among the bright spots as rapid growth continues. Solar power has long been part of the global push for renewable energy, and power industry analysts say it may only have scratched the surface of its potential. Solar led all power sources in terms of added generation capacity in 2020; a March report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) says the U.S. added a record 19.2 GW of new capacity last year...

New England offshore wind could shift Canada-US power trade balance

A flood of cheap power generated by planned U.S. offshore wind projects could find its way onto Canada's power grid, reversing a long-standing trend of mostly one-way trade that sees massive exports of Canadian hydropower to the U.S. The Biden administration's recent approval of the first major wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts kick-started a plan for 30 GW of offshore wind capacity to be installed by 2030. Vineyard Wind LLC's 800-MW Vineyard Offshore Wind Project and subsequent...

Arizona regulators revive energy rules package, propose 100% clean energy by 2070

The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) voted 3-2 on Wednesday to restart a rulemaking process to establish a 100% clean energy standard for the state. Despite more ambitious federal discussions and other state clean energy standards, regulators would consider a 2070 mandate, instead of the previously proposed 2050 deadline. The standard is part of a wider rules package that passed largely intact, stakeholders said, including planning requirements for energy storage, energy efficiency and...

NREL details cost declines needed for long-duration storage to displace nuclear, gas with CCS

More research is needed to understand the economics of long-duration and seasonal storage technologies to make sure they can play a role in decarbonizing the electric grid, according to a new article published in the journal Nature Energy. The article, written by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) research engineer Omar J. Guerra, builds on a previous study that looked at the cost-effectiveness of deploying long-duration energy storage (LDES) in conjunction with renewable energy to...

NRG push for sweeping retail market changes in Northeast meets Texas-sized obstacles

The reliability crisis in Texas has created hurdles for a campaign to reinvent retail competition in Northeastern restructured states. RG Energy is spearheading a political effort to make the most sweeping reforms to competitive retail electricity markets in the Northeast in over two decades. But Texas' recent power crisis has created an unexpected obstacle for this effort, raising questions about the extent to which retail electricity competition benefits consumers.

Connecticut looks to join seven other US states in setting energy storage target

Connecticut’s Senate has passed a bill targeting the deployment of 1,000MW of energy storage by the end of 2030, which when signed into law by the state’s governor will make it the eighth state jurisdiction in the US so far to introduce either a target or mandate for energy storage. Senate Bill (SB) 952, ‘An act concerning energy storage,’ was passed by the upper house of Connecticut lawmakers on 20 May.

Project Will Burn Ammonia with Coal to Cut Emissions

Japan’s largest power generation company plans to begin using ammonia as a fuel at one of its coal-fired plants as part of an effort to reduce the facility’s emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2). JERA Co., a joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings (TEPCO) and Chubu Electric Power, and IHI Corp., a Japanese engineering company, on May 24 said the four-year test project will begin in June and run to March 2025.

The Great State of Texas: explaining the power crisis and what happens next

The devastating winter storm that hit Texas sent energy prices skyrocketing but made the Bank of America millions of dollars. In the days and weeks following the February power outages in Texas, fingers were pointed in all kinds of directions: those typically against renewable energy identified a state too reliant on wind farms, while others blamed a lack of oversight of the energy markets. The simple fact is that Texas was hit by three harsh winter storms in 10 days, the state’s power...​

Rare FERC move sparks heated debate over commission's role assessing pipeline climate impacts

Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioners on Thursday resparked the debate about whether federal regulators should take climate change into account when considering the environmental impacts of a gas pipeline project. Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve two pipeline projects proposed by the Northern Natural Gas Company in Minnesota and the Tuscarora Gas Transmission Company in Nevada, after reviewing their respective climate impacts.

FERC rejects MISO request to delay meeting Order 841

FERC yesterday rejected MISO's request to delay its implementation of Order 841 so it could also adopt new software systems and do all the work more efficiently. The order removes barriers to the participation of storage resources in ISO/RTO markets. MISO filed a motion requesting a further extension of the effective date for its accepted storage provisions from June 6, 2022, to March 1, 2025.

Tesla Powerwalls hooked up to provide grid frequency balancing in Vermont utility pilot

Green Mountain Power, a utility company in Vermont, has begun using Tesla Powerwall energy storage systems in customers’ homes as a frequency regulation resource to benefit the regional grid. The company, which serves about 266,000 customers in the northeastern US state, was actually the first utility in the country to sell Tesla’s Powerwall residential systems after they were launched in 2015.​

Modern Decarbonization Strategies Depend on Modern Carbon Impact Data

Purchasing renewable energy is a means to an end: decarbonization. Yet, renewable energy projects are not all equal when it comes to cutting carbon. At REsurety, we’re developing a new carbon impact measurement tool called Locational Marginal Emissions (LMEs) that measure carbon emission reductions at the granular level: the electrical node where the carbon-free energy is injected into the grid.​

'A terrible idea': Texas legislators fight over renewables' role in power crisis, aiming to avert a repeat

In efforts to prevent a repeat of the February disaster that left millions without electricity, Texas policymakers continue to disagree over the cause and appropriate mitigation efforts. The blackouts from the storm led to spikes in power prices and the deaths of at least 151 people. Republican leadership was quick to criticize renewables for the role they played in the blackouts, with Gov. Greg Abbott, R, claiming on national television that renewables caused the outages.

Electrification Raises Concerns over Stranded Gas Assets, Customers

Colorado regulator Megan Gilman worries that the electrification of home heating could leave fewer natural gas customers paying increasingly high bills. But Consolidated Edison executive Marc Huestis told the Energy Bar Association’s annual meeting Wednesday that could be avoided by continued use of natural gas infrastructure for delivering low-carbon fuel. That’s the hope of the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative (LCRI), a joint project of the Electric Power Research Institute and...

US DOI gives green light to 350MW/1,400MWh energy storage project in California

The US Department of the Interior (DOI) has given the green light to the construction of a utility-scale solar-plus-storage project on public land in California. The DOI announced on Monday (3 May) that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has given final approval to the Crimson Solar Project, a 350MW solar PV array with a 350MW/1,400MWh energy storage system that will generate power through the Southern California Edison Colorado River Substation.

Gridlocked: These policies might put Bidens transmission infrastructure plans on hold

Towering wind turbines and vast fields of solar panels are the mascots of the renewable energy transition. But decision makers, including President Joe Biden, are rapidly realizing that a successful transition hinges on energy transportation as much as generation. “Our grids are vulnerable to storms, hacks, catastrophic failures — with tragic results, as we saw in Texas and elsewhere during the winter storms,” Biden said in his first speech to a joint session of Congress last week.

Carbon-Neutral Blue Hydrogen Can Be More Than a Bridge in a Transformed Hydrogen Economy

Many advocates for a hydrogen economy believe “green” hydrogen, which is produced through electrolysis using renewable energy, will eliminate the need to curtail wind and solar generation. However, there are many reasons why “blue” hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas while using carbon capture technology to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, could be a better long-term option for hydrogen production.

Equity, security and load: FERC conference considers the challenges and potential of electrification

The electrification of transportation, heating and other end uses necessary for the United States to meet its decarbonization goals will require the country to double its electricity load by 2050, panelists said Thursday at a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission technical conference. With that additional load will come opportunities, responsibilities and challenges, they said

Californias dilemma: How to control skyrocketing electric rates while building the grid of the future

New ideas include income-based rates, publicly-funded infrastructure, utility entrepreneurship, and customer-funded wildfire insurance. California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) President Marybel Batjer says the state will not let skyrocketing electricity rates threaten reliability or the state's policy goals. But affordability is a growing concern as California works toward a "future grid" and a dynamic new power system to meet the climate crisis and related extreme weather events...

States ask FERC to eliminate MOPR, grant more flexibility in pursuing alternatives to PJM capacity market

State legislators within the PJM Interconnection are asking federal regulators to allow more flexibility in pursuing alternatives to the grid operator's capacity market, as they pursue a fix to the minimum offer price rule (MOPR) expansion. In comments filed Monday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 45 state legislators asked FERC to eliminate the MOPR, and in the interim revisit rules around the Fixed Resource Requirement (FRR) — an option that could, if legislatively mandated...​

Confirm today! Deadline to sponsor: Friday, April 30th

Sponsoring an EBA event is a great way to showcase your company’s commitment to EBA and the industry, while enhancing your company’s visibility among decision-makers! As we approach EBA's 75th Annual Meeting and Conference and celebrate such a special milestone, we invite you to consider potential ways to promote your business through one of our sponsorship opportunities. EBA is offering 3 sponsorship levels: Platinum $4000 Gold: $3000 Silver: $2000

DOE Earmarks $109.5 Million to Support Coal Workers

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said it will provide $109.5 million in funding for projects that directly support job creation in communities impacted by the energy transition, particularly for workers and areas struggling due to closures of coal-fired power plants and coal mines. The DOE in the April 23 announcement, made in connection with a White House report on economic revitalization in coal and power plant communities, said the financial support is among the “first results of...

Biden Sets New Paris Agreement GHG Target: 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030

President Biden has set a new nationally determined contribution (NDC) for the U.S. to achieve a 50% to 52% reduction in economy-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The White House said on Thursday the NDC, which was determined after a “a whole-of-government process” organized through the Biden administration’s National Climate Task Force, will be formally submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Biden readies ambitious pitch to make the U.S. the global climate leader

A pledge to cut U.S. carbon pollution by roughly half of its 2005 levels would be hard to meet — but falling short would bring "consequences." President Joe Biden will step into the global climate spotlight on Thursday, aiming to portray the U.S. as ready to take the lead in the international campaign to curb the pollution that's warming the planet, driving devastating storms and raising sea levels.​

Democrats tested over boosting transmission, not pipelines, as bill directs FERC to improve regional planning

Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., plan to reintroduce a bill Tuesday that would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to tackle interregional transmission planning. The bill, which Heinrich previously introduced in 2019, would give FERC six months to improve interregional transmission planning to expand and expedite projects. FERC Chair Richard Glick has indicated interest in pursuing transmission reform, and last week the commission dropped a previous...

Despite natural gas failures during winter storm, Texas lawmakers target renewable energy in the aftermath

Texas lawmakers have been advancing sweeping legislation to address some of the major issues stemming from February’s deadly winter storm and catastrophic power outages. But some of the legislative moves are targeting renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, which experts and some lawmakers say seems more like a way to protect oil and gas interests than fix problems with the state’s beleaguered power grid.

What FERC Order 2222-A Means for Microgrids and Energy Democracy

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order No. 2222-A, released March 18, continues efforts by US regulators to remove barriers for aggregated distributed energy resources (DERs) in wholesale markets. And it may unlock new revenue streams for microgrids. That’s the word from Norman Bay, former chairman of FERC, who called the order “exciting to see.” Bay is now head of the energy regulatory and enforcement group for the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher.

Biden budget, infrastructure plan would create standalone storage tax credit

President Joe Biden's $1.52 trillion budget request for Fiscal Year 2022 includes a policy making standalone energy storage projects eligible for the federal investment tax credit (ITC), a move that advocates say will unleash new capital for renewable energy. The budget request also included new spending on storage as part of the administration's goal to decarbonize the energy sector by 2035.

Texas new set of electricity regulators begins to take shape in wake of deep freeze, power outages

A new set of Texas electricity regulators began to take shape Monday, as Gov. Greg Abbott nominated a finance expert to be the next chairman of the Public Utility Commission while his earlier choice of a PUC member moved toward Senate confirmation. The Republican governor put forward Peter Lake of Austin, who has spent more than five years as an Abbott appointee to the Texas Water Development Board, as his second commission pick in as many weeks.

Transmission strategy takes shape as Congress, FERC press ahead with reforms

A package of far-reaching reforms to expand the nation's high-voltage electric transmission system is coming into focus as congressional Democrats begin drafting legislation in line with U.S. President Joe Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure vision. The suite of policy proposals is largely centered on a new investment tax credit for regionally significant transmission lines and potentially two new grid-focused offices housed within the U.S. Department of Energy and the Federal Energy...

Former NRC chair questions economic feasibility of new nuclear in US

Without further aid from Congress and the White House, the prospects for the U.S. nuclear industry will dwindle in the face of cheaper resources that are getting built faster than new nuclear generators, according to a former Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Small modular reactor developers are eyeing the potential to replace retiring coal generation and take advantage of those facilities' interconnection sites. Excepting NuScale Power, which has advanced in permitting...

#EBA2021AM: Register now to stay on top of new energy policies and technologies impacting the industry

EBA is here to keep you on top of the changing energy policies, regulations, and technologies you need to stay relevant in this industry. Energy powerhouses from the industry, regulatory, and legal communities will be on hand for two half-days of policy discussions and training at the 2021 EBA Annual Meeting & Conference. The #EBA2021AM will bring you 12 sessions, MCLE credit hours, and an abundance of meaningful opportunities to connect with hundreds of your colleagues...

#EBA2021AM- Next Week!

EBA is here to keep you on top of the changing energy policies, regulations, and technologies you need to stay relevant in this industry. Energy powerhouses from the industry, regulatory, and legal communities will be on hand for two half-days of policy discussions and training at the 2021 EBA Annual Meeting & Conference. The #EBA2021AM will bring you 12 sessions, MCLE credit hours, and an abundance of meaningful opportunities to connect with hundreds of your colleagues and the industry's...

New York regulators have 'effectively accelerated' the state's storage market, report finds

Programs and policies approved by New York regulators have "effectively accelerated" the state's energy storage market and helped it to deploy or contract for 1,186 MW of capacity, according to a new report from the Department of Public Service (DPS). The New York Public Service Commission in 2018 set a goal of deploying 3,000 MW of energy storage capacity by 2030, with an interim 2025 target of 1,500 MW.

Power Infrastructure Prominent in Bidens $2.25 Trillion Blueprint

A major chunk of President Joe Biden’s $2.25 trillion transformational plan to overhaul the nation’s infrastructure is dedicated to re-energizing America’s power infrastructure. The initiatives garnered the industry’s approval—with notable exceptions. The “American Jobs Plan,” released on March 31, strives to jumpstart the U.S. economy, which drooped under burdens posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.​

State of the Electric Utility 2021: Gas doubts rise, DER focus wanes, and 5 other key takeaways

Despite the impacts of COVID-19, the energy transition is stronger than ever, the results of Utility Dive's 8th annual State of the Electric Utility Survey Report show. The report, based on a survey completed near the end of 2020 by electric utility executives and professionals, covers trends in load, generation, non-baseload technologies and utility regulatory and business models, among other topics.​

Can Offshore Wind Energy Deliver Power To Millions Of Americans?

Offshore wind energy could deliver. And President Biden says that it could produce 30 gigawatts of electricity by 2030 — enough to power 10 million homes. Indeed, the political, technological, and environmental gales are converging. But the high costs and the concerns over marine ecology remain an impediment. As the United States charts its course to become carbon neutral by 2050, it must make massive investments...

Know anyone worthy of prestigious EBA Awards? Nominations due TODAY!

EBA is seeking your suggestions for candidates for two significant Energy Bar Association (EBA) Awards: the Jason F. Leif Chapter Service Award and the Champion for Diversity and Inclusion Award. You may self-nominate or nominate a colleague. Nominations must be supported by relevant information that demonstrates the nominee’s qualifications. Please submit your nominations no later than March 31, 2021

Decarbonization requires more access to and consensus around energy data

Between government regulations and rising consumer demand, corporations are increasingly relying on renewable energy markets to meet requirements and goals around decarbonization. Those markets grew significantly in 2020, despite COVID-19. Add to that a new presidential administration that supports moving to a zero-emissions power sector by 2035, and we can anticipate that growth to accelerate. This has created a need for more data to better track and quantify progress toward decarbonization.​

BRIEF Biden administration sets target for 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030, plans offshore leasing off NY, NJ coast

The Biden administration on Monday announced a concerted effort between the Environmental Protection Agency and the departments of the Interior, Energy, Commerce and Transportation, to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind in the U.S. by 2030, and 110 GW by 2050. The Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) also announced the plan to auction nearly 800,000 acres in the New York Bight, an area that stretches from Long Island, New York, to the New Jersey coast, for offshore wind development.​

Biden Administration Sets National 30-GW Offshore Wind Target

The Biden administration on March 29 laid out a spate of measures to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind in the U.S. by 2030, an ambitious target that will require a vast scale-up in investment and build-out of the still latent power subsector. But if achieved, the target would unlock “a pathway” to 110 GW by 2050, administration officials said.

Underground Midwest transmission project is hung up in PJMs generation queue

As advocates highlight the urgency of expanding interstate transmission capacity in the wake of last month’s energy crisis in Texas, a novel Midwest project is facing delays, but not for the reasons that typically dog overhead power lines. The Direct Connect Development Company is betting that the higher cost of burying its proposed transmission line along railroad corridors will be offset by the lack of expenses from dealing with legal and legislative challenges.

Maximize Your Visibility with EBA's Virtual Sponsorship Opportunities

Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your status as a leader in the energy industry and build relationships that can impact your bottom line with one of EBA's virtual sponsorship opportunities for the 2021 Annual Meeting & Conference, taking place on May 11-12! Get ahead of your competition and get your brand in front of over 2000+ annual program attendees, from 346+ different firms and companies by investing in one of EBA's Business Opportunities for 2021.

FERC Adopts GHG Review in Natural Gas Order Danly Warns of Profound Consequences for Industry

FERC has for the first time incorporated a review of climate change impacts in a natural gas certificate decision, sparking a contentious debate among the commissioners over the major policy implications for future infrastructure projects under its purview. In a decision handed down during the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s open meeting last week, the agency adopted a new approach to considering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions...

Ohio on track to waste billions of dollars on energy over next decade, study says

A new report from a coalition of environmental groups reframes energy efficiency in terms that might better resonate with Ohioans across the political spectrum. “While efficiency is a correct term, what we’re really talking about is reducing energy waste,” said Miranda Leppla, vice president of energy policy for the Ohio Environmental Council. And Ohio is on track this decade to waste a lot of energy — and money.

Batteries will enable large-scale dispatchable renewable energy on South Africas grid

After a recent tender process, up to 1,300MWh of grid-connected energy storage will be deployed in combination with renewable energy in South Africa through a number of large-scale projects. The country’s Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy has conducted a tender through its ‘Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Programme’ (RMIPP) for up to 2GW of energy capacity, needed to bridge the gap between demand and supply.

BRIEF CPUC reliability proposal skimps on demand response while doubling down on gas, parties say

A recent proposal from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to bolster the state's grid during the summer months was criticized by a range of stakeholders, who argued at a meeting on Friday that the decision does not do enough to support demand response efforts, while doubling down on potential fossil fuel investments. The proposal, released in early March, is part of the agency's effort to avoid more rolling blackouts in the state.

Action Required: Set up your NEW EBA Portal account

Did you hear about the NEW EBA Portal? The EBA Portal is a new association management system that will better serve members and friends and provide an enhanced user-friendly experience. Navigating your EBA account, our online store, and registering for events will now be easier and less time-consuming. Please follow the instructions below to login into your account on the new platform for the first time and create a new password.

Taking Charge: Commissioner Clements on FERCs make or break role amid the energy transition

Allison Clements, the 10th female commissioner to serve as a Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner, began her first public meeting this December with a promise: that the "grave threat of climate change" would absolutely underlie her role, which oversees the certification of pipelines, and setting rules for a wide swath of the U.S. power sector. Her nomination and successive confirmation comes at a critical time for FERC.

Texas Senate passes bill requiring ERCOT to reprice multi-billion dollar market 'error'

The Texas Senate passed a bill Monday that would force ERCOT to reprice the billions of dollars the grid operator overcharged during the outages in February. It now faces the House of Representatives. Texas' head utility regulator on Thursday doubled down on his refusal to reprice the $16 billion overcharge reported by the independent market monitor following last month's rolling outages.

Lawmakers Try Again For Overhaul Of Illinois Energy Policy

The Clean Energy Jobs Act House Bill 804 focuses on carbon reduction, job creation and holding utilities accountable. State Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, and state Sen. Cristiana Castro, D-Elgin, have introduced a 900-page Illinois energy bill, the Clean Energy Jobs Act, House Bill 804, which has the potential to overhaul energy policy in Illinois.The bill focuses on carbon reduction, job creation and holding utilities accountable, Williams said.

Texas launches gas probe after historic blackouts

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is widening his investigation of price spikes during a deadly winter storm last month to include a signature piece of the state's energy industry: natural gas. "These massive price increases impacted businesses and consumers alike and will have long term effects on Texas," Paxton said in a statement yesterday. "Hardworking Texans who pulled togethe

Agenda Now Online: EBA's 2021 Annual Meeting & Conference

Early Bird registration is open for the Energy Bar Association's 2021 Annual Meeting & Conference, taking place on your desktop May 11-12, 2021. The agenda is now available online as well! Take advantage of early registration savings until April 15, 2021. EBA recently confirmed exciting new sessions for the 2021 Annual Meeting & Conference, including Former FERC Commissioners Perspective on President Biden's FERC.

Here’s why this new fracking ban in the Northeast is a big deal

The Delaware River Basin, a 13,539-square-mile area bisected by a sparkling river that stretches from New York’s Catskill Mountains to the Delaware Bay, is officially closed to fracking. Last week, a little-known but powerful interstate commission called the Delaware River Basin Commission, or DRBC, voted 4-0 to make a 2010 de facto ban on fracking in the basin permanent.

Texas' head utility regulator resigns following legislative hearing on mass blackouts

Texas' head utility regulator resigned Monday, two weeks after widespread outages afflicted the state following a record-breaking cold snap. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Chair DeAnn Walker resigned effective immediately Monday afternoon. Her exit follows the resignation of several Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) board members, as well as her testimony at Texas Senate and House hearings, wherein she appeared not to know the full extent of her authority.

DEEP DIVE Texas must increase ties to the national grid and DER to avoid another power catastrophe, analysts say

Texans were left in the cold and dark this February, following extreme cold weather that had the Texas competitive energy market unable to prevent deadly power failures. Leaving behind its historic commitment to power system independence and joining the larger U.S. grid can relieve some of the consequences of extreme weather events Texas is likely to see again, many energy analysts in and out of Texas said.

Lawmakers pitch power authority to beef up electric grid, avoid Texas-level price spikes in Colorado

Colorado needs a new powerline-building authority and its own regional compact for affordable backup supply in order to avoid energy fights like those in Texas and at home over who should pay for pricey impacts from the same cold front, according to legislation backed by bipartisan Senate sponsors.

The Clean Power Plan (CPP) Is Not Returning

The Biden administration indicated it will not be reviving the Clean Power Plan (CPP), which should bring a sigh of relief for industry, according to a memo issued on February 12, 2021, to EPA regional administrators by Joseph Goffman, the acting assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.

FERC to examine potential market violations in wake of massive Texas power outages

FERC's announcements Monday follow rolling outages across Texas and the Midwest last week, triggered by grid operators, that sent customers and state officials reeling. Texas regulators on Sunday issued a moratorium on utility disconnections, following complaints from customers that their bills spiked dramatically after the outages last week. The Public Utility Commission of Texas had previously called for ERCOT to hit its price cap of $9,000/MWh to reflect strained conditions.

FERC gives preliminary permit to 2.2 GW storage project that would use Navajo coal plant power lines

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week issued a preliminary permit for a proposed 2.2 GW pumped-storage hydropower project that would use the existing transmission infrastructure of the now-retired Navajo Generating Station coal plant.

Making Sense of the Texas Energy Crisis

Last week in Texas, millions of people experienced the loss of power during a recording-shattering cold snap and series of winter storms. Pundits and politicians have peddled ideologically driven narratives about what factors and energy sources deserve the blame for the catastrophic and life-threatening cascade of failures.

FERC, NERC to investigate mass outages across ERCOT, SPP, MISO

An "unprecedented" snow storm and freeze across the Midwest, Oklahoma and Texas early this week led to a spike in demand Sunday night that corresponded with a drop in supply early this week. As a result, ERCOT, SPP and MISO directed generators to begin rolling blackouts starting Sunday night in order to avoid "catastrophic" system impacts, Dan Woodfin, ERCOT senior director of system operations, told reporters Tuesday.

SEPA/ESA report details multiple ways utilities can make battery storage financially viable

SEPA, a nonprofit representing a range of utility and other electricity-dependent companies, and the ESA, a trade group for companies involved in power storage technologies, decided to publish this report as a way to fill relevant parties in on how utilities plan to make batteries financially viable into the future, Tucker said.

Growing industrial consumption and exports support future U.S. natural gas market growth

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook 2021 (AEO2021) Reference case projects that growth in natural gas consumption in the United States between 2020 and 2050 will be driven by exports and industrial use; consumption growth from the other sectors will increase slowly or stay flat.

Key Capture Energy gets US$93 million debt financing deal for 230MW of Texas battery storage

US utility-scale battery energy storage project developer Key Capture Energy has secured US$93.3 million debt financing for a portfolio of six projects in Texas. The deal covers three already-operational projects and three currently under development, adding up to 230MW of storage. The financing consists of a term loan for the period of construction plus five years as well as letters of credit and was arranged by CIT Group, Siemens Financial Services and Rabobank.

Glick named FERC chair, promises 'significant progress' on energy transition

Glick opposed many of the actions FERC took under Chairmen Chatterjee and Danly, and his long list of dissents and public comments foreshadow a commission more bullish on its role in the power sector's energy transition. "I'm honored President Joe Biden has selected me to be [FERC] Chairman," Glick said in a tweet. "This is an important moment to make significant progress on the transition to a clean energy future. I look forward to working with my colleagues to tackle the many challenges ahe​

NRC’s New Chairman Urged to Heed Agency’s Climate Policy Role

Christopher Hanson, a nuclear energy government and industry veteran, has taken the helm of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The designation by President Joe Biden on Jan. 23 may provide a boost to the administration’s climate initiatives, experts told POWER.

PJM, utilities 'messing with' state sovereignty is 'biggest threat' to climate goals: Maryland commissioner

Maryland lawmakers were considering pulling out of the PJM capacity market out of frustration with a federal rule that came out last year that would raise the minimun offer price for resources bidding into the capacity market that receive state subsidies. But a new administration and new Congress "could lead to FERC decisions that will effectively nullify MOPR sooner, rather than later," reducing Maryland's likelihood of leaving the market, state Del. Lorig Charkoudian, D, who led the efforts, s​

Storage companies seen pivotal for mitigating energy transition risk

Storage companies are in prime position to take advantage of the transition to alternative fuels, with ESG -- environmental, social and governance criteria -- providing new opportunities and costs, delegates said at S&P Global Platts European Oil Storage Virtual Conference. Register Now With decades of experience handling chemicals and fossil fuels, storage companies are well-placed for the expected increase in hydrogen demand, Willem Jansonius, a partner at DIF Capital Partners, told the eve​

New England begins work on FERC Order 2222 compliance, but system impact is unclear

New England utilities are already installing DERs on the grid and so the extent Order 2222's future impact on the region's resource mix is unclear. Still, officials say the process to comply with FERC's landmark order will involve virtually all of the region's stakeholders. "The region is already implementing a lot of distributed energy resources," said Yoshimura. "We're accounting for them and many participate in the wholesale market currently.

Monetising battery storage in the UK and Europe in 2021: New opportunities and a new way of thinking

Energy storage is poised to play a much bigger role this year in balancing electricity market volatility, accelerating the transition to renewable energy and providing economic benefits to those willing to invest, says Aaron Lally, managing partner at UK-based cleantech trading house VEST Energy.

FERC approves tariff for Southwest Power Pool's Western imbalance market

SPP has been working to launch the WEIS for more than a year and is now just a few weeks away, with the potential to expand the market in the future. The grid operator is pleased with FERC's order and ready to continue implementation efforts "which are well on their way," Bruce Rew, SPP senior vice president of operations, said in a statement. Rew called the order “another significant milestone" toward a planned Feb. 1 start.

Hawaiian Electric bills to drop under new PUC rules

Hawaii is set to see shrinking utility costs and growing renewable energy after the state Public Utilities Commission’s landmark decision to change the way Hawaiian Electric makes its money. In a decision and order more than 200 pages long issued last week, the PUC established a “performance- based regulation” framework that separates the profits of Hawaii’s largest utility from capital investments, or a “cost-of-service” approach.

An Environmental Regulatory Roundup from Midnight Watch

As the United States prepares for President-Elect Joe Biden to take office on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2021, the Trump administration continues to take numerous administrative actions on climate, energy, and environmental issues. The State Energy & Environmental Impact Center at the New York University School of Law created a “Midnight Watch” website to track these developments.

Maryland, Illinois may pursue legislative MOPR exit, despite new FERC nearing

"We wish that a new FERC could just simply wave its wand and get rid of the MOPR," said Illinois' consumer advocate. "We can't wait for a new FERC to solve the mess that the previous FERC created." With a new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on the horizon, states that opposed the agency’s minimum offer price rule expansion within the PJM Interconnection are grappling with how or whether to continue fighting the rule.

South Carolina regulators reject Dominion IRP due to insufficient renewables, rate hike request still pending

The South Carolina Public Service Commission unanimously rejected a three-year integrated resource plan from Dominion Energy on behalf of the former South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G), requiring changes from the utility, including more renewable energy resources.

Electric vehicle models expected to triple in 4 years as declining battery costs boost adoption

The number of electric vehicle models available to consumers is expected to more than triple in the next three years, from roughly 40 to 127 in the United States, as battery prices fall, charging infrastructure spreads and adoption rises, according to Dan Bowermaster, senior program manager for electric transportation at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

Seattle considers new approach to banning natural gas

ELECTRIFICATION: After failing to pass a natural gas ban in single-family homes last year, Seattle officials are advancing a new proposal focused on large multi-family buildings and commercial construction. (MyNorthwest) OIL & GAS: • The Trump administration announces it will auction drilling leases for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in January, bypassing public comments and sparking warnings of costly legal action. (InsideClimate News)

California utility SCE’s latest battery storage contracts to take company beyond 2GW mark

Southern California Edison (SCE), one of California’s three main investor-owned utilities, has signed new long-term contracts with developers of 590MW of battery energy storage. They include a 325MW project by NextEra Energy, a 200MW project from Recurrent Energy, a 60MW project being jointly developed by 174 Power Global and Hanwha Group, as well as 5MW of aggregated behind-the-meter energy storage from residential solar installation and leasing company Sunrun.

Google calls for more RTOs, designs 'intelligent platform' to meet 24/7 clean energy goal

Technology will play a central role in achieving Google's most ambitious — and final — renewable energy target, Riles said. But access to wholesale energy markets, he said, is also critical. Demand for Google's services grows each year, Riles said, and that in turn is driving the company's energy consumption, which he said exceeded 12 terawatt-hours in 2019 and is expected to continue to grow.

Regulator of the Year: Neil Chatterjee, FERC

It's hard to imagine any regulatory body that has had more influence on the U.S. power sector this year than the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and it's impossible to divorce that impact from its now-former chairman: Neil Chatterjee.

Next Administration Could Mean New Safety Regulations For Coal Mines

The transition from a Trump administration that dismantled regulations across the federal government to a Biden administration that has signaled a greater emphasis on occupational safety and the environment may finally mean new action on a toxic form of dust in coal mines.

Senate confirms bipartisan pairing to FERC

Confirming Clements and Christie gives the energy industry a sigh of relief after years of turnover on the commission. Clements will serve on the commission until 2024 and Christie until 2025. Glick is thought to be the favorite to chair FERC, based in part on his longer tenure at the commission. If appointed to the chair, he has said he would prioritize transmission policy, reassessing the wholesale capacity markets, and lowering market barriers for clean energy technologies.

Solar Industry Prioritizes Tax Credit Extension, Trade Policy for Biden Administration

Extending the federal Investment Tax Credit is the top priority for the Solar Energy Industries Association as it heads into four years of a Joe Biden presidency. In a Tuesday call with reporters, SEIA President Abigail Ross Hopper likened ranking the group's prime concerns to picking a favorite child. But broadening the solar industry's key federal tax credit will provide the most measurable relief as it weathers the economic difficulties of the pandemic, she said.

FERC's carbon pricing statement draws criticism, cautious support

A draft policy statement issued last month by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission encouraging carbon pricing rules in wholesale power markets has generated mixed feedback. Merchant generators and some industry trade groups urged the agency to move forward with the proposed guidelines for accommodating state-set carbon pricing in wholesale power markets, while environmental groups and the states themselves signaled skepticism and, in some cases, outright opposition.

Trump administration issues strategic framework to direct federal hydrogen research

The U.S. has lagged behind its peers in Europe and Asia with respect to hydrogen research and deployment, said Dajani, who is spearheading her firm's hydrogen practice in New York and London. DOE's new report "is definitely something that is welcomed," Dajani said. "It's a step in the right direction, and I think we will see more of these initiatives" when Biden assumes the presidency.

California regulators race to implement demand response, other measures to avert 2021 blackouts

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) initiated rolling blackouts that affected hundreds of thousands of customers this summer after a record-breaking heatwave swept across the Western U.S., leading to a spike in energy demand. The operator simultaneously faced other issues including thermal and natural gas plants becoming less efficient or going offline, declining production of behind-the-meter renewables and large-scale solar and the lack of available imports, the CPUC noted in it​

Larger, vertically-integrated utilities better prepared to face cyber threats, says Moody's

Moody's is digging into the growing threat faced by utilities, and says its Wednesday analysis is the "first of a series of cyber themed research reports" it will release as security plays a growing role in assessing company financials.

US ELECTIONS: Biden declared winner of presidential race, faces challenges to energy agenda

Successfully navigating a winding, bumpy and chaotic electoral journey, Democrat Joe Biden has been declared winner of the 2020 race to the White House. But the rough going is far from over. Stakes are high not just for Biden, but for US energy and commodities sectors as a new president would bring a decidedly different approach to shaping energy, climate and trade policy. Among other things, Biden has vowed to make a swift pivot to clean energy.

California Community Choice power provider continues prolific run of dispatchable solar procurements

Another contract has been signed for energy from a large-scale solar-plus-storage plant by one of California’s Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) groups. Clean Power Alliance (CPA) is one of the CCAs that sits within the service area of the main investor-owned utilities (IOUs) in California, but allows its three million customers in Los Angeles and Ventura County to choose the sources where their power comes from.

'The days of FERC being referred to as an obscure agency are over': Chatterjee reflects on chairmanship

Neil Chatterjee started his tenure with the Trump administration as a perceived ally of the coal industry. He ended it as a perceived martyr for climate policy. But he wouldn't describe his past three years as "an evolution." The now-former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was unexpectedly demoted by the White House last week as President Donald Trump's path to a second term grew increasingly narrow. Chatterjee plans to stay on as commissioner for the remainder of his term​

Voltus vies to unleash thousands of MWs of demand response capacity in challenge to MISO restrictions

Demand response aggregator Voltus has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission challenging Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) tariff provisions that allow states to block third party aggregators from participating in wholesale markets. Experts say the practice is common in other whole wholesale energy markets, as technology has advanced since state opt-out provisions were approved.

Hydrogen is having a moment, and power generation is leading the way

At the beginning of the last decade, renewable energy remained an industry-polarizing topic. Legacy energy companies held that fossil fuels would maintain their grip on the industry for generations to come, largely relegating emerging technologies such as solar to the realm of startups.

Three energy policy issues caught up in the US election

In the four years since the last US election, the energy conversation has moved on. Nations have changed their concerns and expectations around the energy industry without one of the world’s largest power producers and consumers. Half of the top ten polluting nations have now made a net-zero greenhouse gas emission commitment, but the US is not among them. Among the world’s five biggest economies, the US stands alone in having made no pledge.

Carbon capture and storage could reduce California emissions 15%, save $750M a year: report

California is at a crossroads in terms of CCS development, the report said. The state has strong climate policy support and natural resources that give it an edge with the technology, and five projects at different stages of planning and development, but it does not currently have any operational CCS projects.

Election 2020: Trump's FERC may need to shift course on clean energy, though Biden's road will not be easy

The rapid evolution of the power grid will require the attention of one critical agency — the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. And observers say no matter what happens Nov. 3, the agency will have no choice but to address the industry's transition, even if it means backing away from some of its more controversial policies.

'Energy storage is the first truly digital asset for the electric network’: Fluence, AMS Q&A

We have often heard that while batteries and other hardware may be the most visible and talked-about components of an energy storage system, it is often software that defines what that energy storage system can do. The recent acquisition of Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS) saw energy storage technology provider and system integrator Fluence take on a company with “one of the most powerful AI-enabled software engines available in the industry,” according to Fluence CTO Brett Galura.

New York Reforms Clean Energy Standard

An expansion of New York’s Clean Energy Standard (CES) approved by the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) adopts several measures that will help the state meet its new, more ambitious 70%-by-2030 renewable power target.

Study finds systemwide clean energy approach could save PJM states billions

A new study unveiled Oct. 28 foresees large cost savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions within the PJM Interconnection if its 13 member states were to agree on a regional clean energy strategy instead of pursuing a piecemeal approach.

DOE campaign drives $95M in annual building energy cost savings

Buildings are responsible for 40% of the energy used in the U.S., according to the Berkeley Lab, which illustrates the potential for EMIS to support sustainability goals through the monitoring and controlling of this energy use. EMIS, which can cost up to eight cents per square foot for installation and software costs, can also pay for itself in about two years, according to DOE campaign findings. ​

What Will It Take to Make Offshore Wind Viable in the U.S.?

The benefits of offshore wind power have become indisputable. While it takes significant investment to bring these sources of power about, we can see that where offshore wind is being introduced, jobs are being created and clean, sustainable energy is being generated.

FERC Order Will Restart PJM's Capacity Market

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued an order that could allow mid-Atlantic grid operator PJM to restart its capacity auction, the country's biggest, by mid-2021 after a two-year delay. But FERC’s order will still force state-subsidized resources to use administratively set minimum prices that could bar them from clearing PJM’s market, a fact that’s led states and clean energy and environmental groups to bring court challenges against FERC.

FERC: Send Us Your Carbon Pricing Plans

FERC on Thursday proposed a policy statement inviting states to introduce carbon pricing in wholesale electricity markets but said it had no authority to initiate such programs itself (AD20-14). Chairman Neil Chatterjee, a Republican, called the proposal — coming just two weeks after the commission’s technical conference on carbon pricing — a “landmark action.”

White House authorizes $9.6B to rebuild Puerto Rico's grid, but how can it be spent?

It's been three years since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. While the power system remains fragile, most of the island does have power. Observers are celebrating the White House's announcement of FEMA funds to assist the grid rebuild, but there are questions about the timing and when the money will be made available.

Senators press FERC nominees on California blackouts, baseload compensation, climate role

President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Clements and Christie in July to fill the roles of former commissioners Cheryl LaFleur and Bernard McNamee, respectively. Both nominees emphasized their belief that the commission should remain resource-neutral in its deliberations, as Republican senators questioned whether California's growing reliance on renewable resources led to last month's blackouts, and Democrats pushed the nominees on how the commission should consider climate chang​

FERC Order Backs Grid Market for DERs

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order that advocates for distributed energy resources (DERs) say will enable DERs, including renewable energy such as solar, wind, and battery storage, to compete on a more-level playing field in the organized capacity, energy, and ancillary services markets run by regional grid operators.

Agenda Now Online: EBAs 2021 Annual Meeting and Conference

Early bird registration is open for the Energy Bar Association's 2021 Annual Meeting & Conference, taking place on your desktop May 11-12, 2021. The agenda is now available online as well! Take advantage of early registration savings until April 15, 2021. EBA recently confirmed exciting new sessions for the 2021 Annual Meeting & Conference, including Former FERC Commissioners Perspective on President Biden's FERC; Oil Pipeline Market Power in the 21st Century; and more.

John Thomas Miller, Jr., EBA Past President passed away June 8th

John Thomas Miller, Jr., an attorney and father of nine children, passed away in his sleep on June 8th, surrounded by his family. John served as President of the Federal Energy Bar Association (1990-1991). Details of his life and funeral service are listed below.

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