Opinion

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  Microgrids are coming — will they increase inequities?

  The resources must not be deployed mainly for the benefit of higher-wealth communities, the author writes.

  Ed Smeloff • Jan. 11, 2021

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  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission needs a reboot

  The need for a new approach is especially evident with gas pipeline approvals as FERC continues to rely on a flawed assumption that the existence of a contract to supply gas implies "public need" for a pipeline, the author writes.

  Ashish Solanki • Jan. 08, 2021

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  To build a zero-carbon grid, we first need to model it accurately

  Many of the planning models used by utilities and their regulators are not well-suited to consider the role of long-duration energy storage and multi-day load flexibility as a complement to variable renewable generation, the authors write.

  Scott Burger, Marco Ferrara, Roderick Go, and Arne Olson • Dec. 23, 2020

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  What a corporate tax rate increase could mean for utility ratemaking

  Utility executives and regulators need to use this time of uncertainty to evaluate the impact of potential tax rate changes, especially considering COVID-19 financial pressures, disconnect moratoriums, and collectibility risks, the authors write. 

  Kimberly Johnston and Michael J. Reno • Dec. 16, 2020

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  Utilities should be required to disclose their climate-related financial risks

  New York regulators are calling on utilities to disclose such risks, which could help the financial sector interpret what the companies are doing and adjust accordingly, the authors write.

  Justin Gundlach, Michael Panfil and Romany Webb • Dec. 15, 2020

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  Renewable portfolio standards are propelling the US to a clean-energy future. But data practices are lagging

  Because RPS policies are such powerful tools for expanding renewable energy adoption, those in decision-making positions need to be able to easily understand these policies’ effects, the authors write.

  Ingrid Behrsin, Francesca Disano, and Hannah Safford • Dec. 10, 2020

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  Utility regulators wake up to the long-term risks of gas

  Regulators are open to changing the status quo and pushing for building electrification, writes Rocky Mountain Institute Principal Mike Henchen.

  Mike Henchen • Dec. 09, 2020

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  Out with the old, in with the new: Why regionalized grid coordination is inevitable

  Clearly, the traditional energy regulatory structures are an outdated solution to a modern problem, write Colorado State Senator Chris Hansen and former New Mexico utility commissioner Doug Howe.

  Chris Hansen and Doug Howe • Dec. 08, 2020

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  4 strategies to rapidly scale clean energy in the next decade

  To fully realize our shared climate goals and rebuild our economy, we must prioritize and enact policies to accelerate the national transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, the author writes.

  Cameron Bard • Nov. 30, 2020

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  Everything old is new again: Why Big Tech is wrong about utility restructuring

  Large electricity buyers push for restructuring to gain direct access to real-time wholesale prices through their buying power, not due to altruism or constructive climate policy, former FERC Commissioner Tony Clark writes.

  Tony Clark • Nov. 17, 2020

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  Environmental policy and regulation: Potential consequences of the 2020 election

  Joe Biden plans to end subsidies on fossil fuels, strengthen oil and gas regulations, increase investment in clean energy, and recommit the U.S. to the Paris Climate Accord — the questions are how and when, the authors write.

  Boyd Bryan and Alex Prochaska • Nov. 16, 2020

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  The clean energy benefits slipping through states' fingers

  Transmission projects take many years to complete, so the window is about to close on our ability to set states up for success even on 2025 and 2030 clean energy goals, the author writes.

  John Moore • Nov. 11, 2020

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  California has the technology and know-how to meet its energy needs; it needs the right regulations

  California energy agencies should make common-sense changes to maximize the value and market opportunity for energy storage and demand response, the authors write.

  Nick Chaset and Cisco DeVries • Nov. 10, 2020

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  You say old coal plant, I say green hydrogen

  You see an old coal plant and an obsolescent workforce; I see a superb opportunity for green hydrogen, the author writes.

  Lincoln Bleveans • Nov. 06, 2020

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  100% solar, wind and batteries is just the start — the 'super' power they produce will change the world

  Imagine hyper abundant clean energy at a marginal cost close to zero, the authors write.

  Tony Seba and Adam Dorr • Nov. 05, 2020

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  FERC Order 2222 should be a watershed moment — grid operators can help ensure that

  The interconnected smart devices that help our homes and businesses save energy can become flexible resources for our grids, the authors write.

  Paul Hines and Allison Bates Wannop • Nov. 04, 2020

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  Election 2020: It's time to consider an electricity customer Bill of Rights

  The starting place for ensuring responsible and effective rapid decarbonization is to allow for competition and ensure retail customers are adequately protected from potential abuses that could otherwise emerge, the author writes.

  Todd Glass • Nov. 03, 2020

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  Justice Barrett's confirmation and how it may affect the energy industry

  The newest Supreme Court justice could eventually hear a challenge to FERC's Order 841, which has been winding its way through the courts, on the grounds that it intrudes on matters left to the states under the Federal Power Act.

  Seth Hilton and Jason Johns • Nov. 02, 2020

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  With FERC's recent big changes to energy and capacity markets, theories don't match reality

  FERC’s efforts to root out “price suppression” is unnecessary and ultimately detrimental to promoting a resource mix that meets reliability and policy objectives, the author writes. 

  Elise Caplan • Oct. 30, 2020

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  The US power sector has prevented millions of cyberattacks in 2020 — that takes 24/7 commitment

  The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, recent natural disasters and looming elections create the added risk of distraction — and opportunity for attacks, write Edison International CEO Pedro Pizarro and EEI President Tom Kuhn.

  Pedro J. Pizarro and Tom Kuhn • Oct. 29, 2020

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  Demand response works: It's time to 'shimmy' over and unleash Flexiwatts

  California needs to focus on implementing policies that will unlock innovation in the market and provide financial incentives to deploy flexible devices equitably and at scale to enable the future of load management, the author writes. 

  Lillian Mirviss • Oct. 13, 2020

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  A resolution to LCOE is not the metric you think it is

  After one of the authors questioned the usefulness of the widely-used levelized cost of energy metric, two NREL analysts worked with him to find the metric is reliable — but only if used in real time.

  James Loewen, Pieter Gagnon, and Trieu Mai • Oct. 07, 2020

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  PBR for utilities: Is it better than the beer?

  A poorly designed and executed performance-based regulation mechanism can harm utility customers when the intent is to benefit them, the author writes.

  Kenneth W. Costello • Oct. 05, 2020

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  6 practical steps to improve community safety near lithium-ion energy storage systems

  Research and curricula for first responders on lithium-ion battery storage system fires is insufficient, leading to situations where the fire service must piece together limited information to address incidents, the author writes.

  Steve Kerber • Sept. 28, 2020

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  P3s hold the key to a clean energy future post-COVID

  Making progress on climate is still within our grasp, but the critical first step is to recognize the benefits of collaboration, and then to reach across the aisle. 

  Bill Prindle • Sept. 25, 2020

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