News | Energy Bar Association

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

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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.