News | Energy Bar Association

Illinois regulators launch probe of ComEd in wake of bribery scandal

Aug 18, 2021 10:54 AM

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

Aug 18, 2021 10:51 AM

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

Aug 18, 2021 10:40 AM

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?

Aug 18, 2021 10:31 AM

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

Aug 11, 2021 01:32 PM

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

Aug 11, 2021 01:28 PM

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

Aug 11, 2021 01:11 PM

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

Aug 04, 2021 06:26 AM

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...