News | Energy Bar Association

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

May 28, 2018 03:57 PM

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.

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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.