The Latest
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South Carolina regulators approve Dominion acquisition of SCANA
The unanimous decision could end the battle over how to pay for the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project, but company officials say they will wait for the final order to close the deal.
Corporate News -
SponsoredUtilities stand to enhance the customer experience, reduce costs by leveraging existing investments in IVR
Many utilities are not taking advantage of the capabilities offered by their Interactive Voice Response systems to help customers get the answers they need, faster.
Technology -
Texas muni signs cheap solar contract 'below $25/MWh'
The exact PPA price was not released, but GTM Research noted it rivals other inexpensive solar deals signed recently in Texas.
Generation -
Record-breaking $405M US offshore wind leasing auction shows 'bullish' interest
Three areas off the coast of Massachusetts each fetched bids of at least $135 million in the same area that failed to attract enough interest three years ago.
Generation -
Siemens: Cities are prioritizing electrification, but grid modernization is required
Siemens released a report that used the company's City Performance Tool to assess the status of electrification in 40 global cities.
Efficiency & Demand Response -
As California looks to power shut-offs to prevent fires, Sunrun touts microgrids
As utilities are being directed to cut off power during high wind and dry conditions to prevent the start of deadly wildfires, state regulators opened a proceeding to look at unintended effects.
Transmission & Distribution -
New York approves 'innovative' Con Edison pricing pilot with dual recruitment strategies
With some small commercial customers, the utility will use an opt-out strategy to enroll participants, which it says will provide results that are more representative of the customer population in general.
Transmission & Distribution -
We Energies' proposed solar pilots highlight limited state finance rules, group says
The utility's two proposals site rooftop solar projects at their commercial and industrial customers' facilities, but an array of groups in Wisconsin say customers won't be allowed to fully reap the benefits of the resource.
Generation -
California to require all-electric buses by 2040
The rule bars transit agencies from purchasing any new gas-powered buses by 2029 and will require only zero-emission buses by 2040.
Efficiency & Demand Response -
Glick blasts Chatterjee Clean Power Plan comments as not 'appropriate,' 'relevant'
Glick called Chatterjee’s input "faulty" and "not relevant to any discussion on whether the Clean Power Plan should be removed" because it focused criticism on the initial proposed version of the rule, not its finalized form.
Generation -
House to introduce carbon capture bill amid questions of tech viability
The Senate version of the bill, introduced by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., received broad bipartisan support.
Generation -
New York PSC sets state's energy storage target at 3 GW by 2030
The regulators have set the most ambitious state energy storage target in the country.
Generation -
PodcastElectric Power Show Ep. 3: PUCO Chair Haque's 'conservative approach to progressive utility policy'
Gavin Bade speaks with Asim Haque, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, on the origins of the coal and nuclear bailout debate and how to guide a progressive utility policy in a state without robust clean energy goals.
The Electric Power Show -
Colorado adopts rule to include storage in utility planning
The state developed procurement rules to encourage the installation of energy storage in the state.
Distributed Energy -
OpinionLong-duration energy storage R&D: An opportunity for American climate leadership
A U.S.-led international initiative to accelerate progress on this storage technology would bend the curve of carbon pollution downward toward zero.
Energy Storage -
NERC: Winter preparedness initiatives will help keep lights on in northern US
A new analysis from the North American Electric Reliability Corp. finds most grid operators expect ample energy supplies this winter, but are also taking steps to ensure reliability.
Generation -
Tariffs prompt nearly 50% drop in US utility solar installations: Wood Mackenzie
Utility solar projects are getting delayed into the fourth quarter as project developers reacted to the January tariffs while trying to maximize advantage from the declining investment tax credit.
Solar & Renewables -
Senate Democrats press McNamee recusal on generation issues at FERC
A letter requesting McNamee recuse himself from issues "pitting one fuel source against another" was signed by every Democrat on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, except its incoming Ranking Member.
Generation -
Deep DiveAs PacifiCorp and other analyses point to more coal shutdowns, replacement questions rise
A recent PacifiCorp analysis points to a growing trend among utilities, and analysts are watching to see how modeling and reliability issues can best be addressed as retirements continue.
Generation -
A study examined why customers remain in TOU programs, and the results were terrible
Spoiler: Customers thought they were saving more money than they really were.
Efficiency & Demand Response -
Nearly all Georgia coal plants report groundwater pollution near ash ponds
Data reviewed by The Environmental Integrity Project and Earthjustice on 12 coal plants showed ash ponds near 11 contain unsafe levels of one or more pollutant, with 10 belonging to Georgia Power.
Generation -
PG&E details power line damage near ignition of Camp Fire
While state officials have not made a final determination on the cause, PG&E's Tuesday letter offers the clearest detail yet on how its power lines may have started the blaze.
Transmission & Distribution -
Mountain Valley Pipeline sued, Atlantic Coast Pipeline halted
Virginia alleged the $4.6 billion Mountain Valley project repeatedly violated environmental laws and permit talks for the $7 billion Atlantic Coast line stalled.
Transmission & Distribution -
Deep Dive
As grid operators file FERC Order 841 plans, storage floodgates open slowly
It will be at least a year before new rules for energy storage take hold for most ISOs and RTOs.
Solar & Renewables -
US unprepared for 'catastrophic' power outage, presidential advisory report finds
Securing the nation's power system will require billions in investment, begging the eternal question: Who pays?
Generation