Opinion

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  Irreconcilable conflict? Lessons from the Central Maine Power transmission corridor debacle

  The Central Maine Power corridor debate shows public support must be built for much-needed infrastructure through strategic, long-term transmission and distribution planning, the author writes.

  Rebecca Schultz • Nov. 30, 2021

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  At the forefront: The biggest state clean energy legislative trends of 2021

  States continue to act as laboratories of innovation, taking unique policy approaches and testing their own solutions to various clean energy policy issues, the author writes.

  Autumn Proudlove • Nov. 24, 2021

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  Can the DOE's community solar target to power 5M homes be met? Not without state-level support

  Without putting forth the resources and rewarding effective blueprints to pull off a monumental scaling effort of community solar, the DOE's new targets will not be met, the author writes.

  Mike Gordon • Nov. 24, 2021

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  Illinois' new clean energy law could be a regulatory playbook for other states

  While the law's decarbonization targets and workforce development components grabbed headlines, less has been written about the utility regulatory requirements and challenges associated with enacting it, the authors write.

  Carrie Zalewski, Jordan Graham and Tanya Rabczak • Nov. 23, 2021

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  Energy-efficient infrastructure projects hold a key opportunity for contractors

  For builders that incorporate sustainable systems into their projects, the $1.80-per-square-foot 179D tax deduction can quickly climb to millions of dollars.

  Dean Zerbe • Nov. 22, 2021

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  NY regulator's shortsighted decision on NRG and Danskammer gas plants may cause future power shortages

  The only viable answer at this time to fill the electric reliability hole that policymakers are digging is the conversion of existing and new state-of-the-art natural gas-fired generation plants to use "green hydrogen," the author writes.

  Arnold R. Wallenstein • Nov. 18, 2021

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  Utility of the future? We also need fundamental changes at state regulatory commissions

  ​​Regulatory commissions are hampered by outdated statutes, lack of staff diversity, and misaligned legislative bodies that govern and fund them, the authors write. 

  Stephanie Eyocko, Alicia Brown and Dugan Marieb • Nov. 15, 2021

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  Time for FERC to return to being fuel neutral

  FERC in recent months has departed from its role as a fuel-neutral regulator of power markets by demonstrating a troubling pattern of favoritism for renewables and discrimination against fossil fuels, the author writes.

  Guy Caruso • Nov. 12, 2021

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  When it comes to transmission, and greater FERC authority in general, be careful what you wish for

  It is difficult to imagine that FERC will be excited about the opportunity to mix it up with the congressional delegation of a state it is trying to steamroller, the author writes.

  Michael McKenna • Nov. 10, 2021

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  Expand competitive power markets, not regulations and subsidies, to address global climate change

  Instead of government-driven mandates, a more fruitful approach would be empowering competitive electricity markets to usher in market sustainable low-emission technologies, the author writes.

  Wayne Winegarden • Nov. 9, 2021

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  Stopping the utility profit grab and saving rooftop solar in California

  We can dispense with the utility campaign's "cost shift" myth. It's based on bad math that does not account for the grid-stabilizing investment solar consumers make in their own systems and other factors, the author writes.

  Dave Rosenfeld • Nov. 4, 2021

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  The need to expand organized power markets in the West

  The extension of the SPP RTO to the West and development of Western RTOs in general will provide better coordination and efficiencies to help meet our current and future clean energy goals, Tri-State CEO Duane Highley writes.

  Duane Highley • Nov. 3, 2021

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  Does your state's electricity system get an "F" in competitiveness?

  While many states have made significant moves towards greater choice and competition, others have chosen to bolster an antiquated monopoly system and are as opaque in their decision-making as ever, the author writes.

  Landon Stevens • Nov. 2, 2021

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  Reconciled to reconciliation: Can the spending bill still jumpstart climate action?

  Going forward, the U.S. government needs to craft new climate policies that are specifically geared to fostering private sector investment, the author writes. 

  Bob Hinkle • Oct. 29, 2021

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  Hydropower's absence in the reconciliation bill is a major gap in U.S. clean energy strategy

  Hydro helps integrate wind and solar, so why isn't it supported in the reconciliation bill?

  Alicia Barton • Oct. 28, 2021

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  As politicians battle, we need scientific credibility and objectivity to reach net zero emissions

  If countries are to achieve economywide net-zero emissions by 2050, it will mean significantly accelerating clean energy efforts, the CEO of the Electric Power Research Institute writes.

  Arshad Mansoor • Oct. 27, 2021

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  Disaggregation resets expectations when energy efficiency falls short

  It seems obvious that when a homeowner replaces an old appliance or fixture with a more efficient model, it is always a good thing. Surprisingly, it is not so clear-cut, the author writes.

  Bill Hughes • Oct. 26, 2021

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  How New England could demonstrate what a 'clean energy RTO' looks like

  In showing how RTO markets can support the achievement of state policy goals and be the catalyst for a clean energy region, ISO New England has three big things going for it, the author writes.

  Caitlin Marquis • Oct. 25, 2021

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  Now is the time for regulatory sandboxes in energy and utilities

  Recent test beds in Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore and United Kingdom provide inspiration for models to stimulate innovation in the United States.

  Brien J. Sheahan • Oct. 22, 2021

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  The wrong policies will hinder electrification — here's what we need to do

  Utilities' priority must be delivering clean, reliable power as efficiently as possible, so as a regulator, I'm skeptical when utilities propose that their role is to promote electrification with their ratepayers' money, the author writes.

  Abigail Anthony • Oct. 20, 2021

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  Fixing our supply chains is necessary for the clean energy transition

  Solar panels are in high demand but have been particularly hard hit this year by supply chain problems.

  Sally Talberg • Oct. 19, 2021

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  Time for utility companies to step up by supporting the Clean Electricity Performance Program

  Achieving more clean energy is feasible, affordable and would benefit our economy and public health without compromising power system reliability, writes Ceres' senior program director of climate and energy.

  Dan Bakal • Oct. 18, 2021

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  Entergy failures threaten New Orleans' future

  Entergy's way of doing business is unaffordable to ratepayers and it is unable to provide the kind of reliability and resilience that are more necessary in the face of climate disaster, the author writes.

  Jesse George • Oct. 15, 2021

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  Electric co-ops must heed the lessons of Kodak and others in pushing to overhaul today's G&Ts

  It must have been painful to throw away the still-working Walkman, film camera or eight-track tape player (and the car it came in), but the world moved on, United Power's CEO writes.

  Mark A. Gabriel • Oct. 12, 2021

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  US utilities have billions in unpaid customer balances. What should they do?

  The day of reckoning will inevitably come when regulators will have to determine who pays for unpaid balances: the delinquent customer, other customers, utility shareholders, taxpayers, NGOs, or having a shared responsibility.

  Kenneth W. Costello • Oct. 6, 2021

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