Opinion
The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders
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Brown mandates a 'greener' Golden State
As California inches closer to a renewable-only grid, S&P Global Ratings Director of Sustainable Finance Michael Ferguson assesses which assets from a credit perspective could stand to either benefit or face heightened risks.
Michael Ferguson • Nov. 26, 2018 -
Leaving the Nest: 'Bring your own' efficiency programs grow beyond thermostats
The shift from Bring Your Own Thermostat programs to include more devices suggests the BYO model will continue to grow, securing energy and cost savings for customers and energy providers, Navigant's Brett Feldman writes.
Brett Feldman • Nov. 15, 2018 -
Distribution system planning: Proactively planning for more distributed assets at the grid edge
The distribution grid is the backbone of a reliable electric system and proper planning will make it more flexible, reliable, resilient, cost-effective and clean, AEE's Coley Girouard and Ryan Katofsky write.
Coley Girouard and Ryan Katofsky • Nov. 14, 2018 -
South Carolina tackles unprecedented interstate interconnection issues
Duke Energy sought to waive the state's rules to allow renewable projects to participate in a renewables program initiated by North Carolina, opening a can of worms, writes IREC Regulatory Director Sara Baldwin Auck.
Sara Baldwin Auck • Nov. 13, 2018 -
For RTOs & ISOs: 'Don't call it a market' (props to LL Cool J)
The term "market" for the fully restructured RTOs/ISOs was brilliant PR, but a category error in describing what amounts to an alternative regulatory model, write attorneys Ray Gifford and Matthew Larson.
Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • Nov. 12, 2018 -
Don't believe all the blockchain hype
Blockchain may change some aspects of energy markets, but don't expect the revolution evangelists are promising.
Benjamin L. Gerber • Nov. 09, 2018 -
A PJM carbon pricing approach to bridge the state-federal energy policy divide
A carbon charge in PJM could be designed to eliminate the need for out of market ZEC payments to nuclear generation and significantly reduce state payments for renewable energy credits.
Kevin B. Jones • Nov. 08, 2018 -
PJM CEO: Powering a resilient grid through competitive markets
Federal action to protect specific power plants is not only unnecessary, PJM CEO Andy Ott writes, it would raise consumer costs and discourage investment in newer, more efficient technologies.
Andrew L. Ott • Nov. 06, 2018 -
Emerging best practices for utility grid hardening
The impacts of extreme weather on utility infrastructure are forcing utilities and regulators to take a more proactive approach to storm preparation, risk mitigation and budgeting than they have been accustomed to.
Jeremy Clark • Nov. 05, 2018 -
How utility demand-side management strategies must evolve to address a dynamic resource mix
The path to realizing an efficient and flexible grid capable of supporting new value will — by necessity — require the participation of customer-sided resources and technology to effectively interface with the grid of tomorrow.
Patty Cook • Oct. 31, 2018 -
Three ways utilities can better engage low-income customers
Renewables, smart meters, electric vehicles, mobile apps and other features of the "utility of the future" are proliferating. But are these technologies actually reaching all residential energy customers?
Patty Durand • Oct. 30, 2018 -
PJM's capacity market proposal: Bad for customers, states, and the fight against climate change
While FERC expressed concern about the impact of clean energy policies among different states in the region, it did not ask for a plan that would prop up generators at the expense of customers.
Ann McCabe and John Moore • Oct. 29, 2018 -
Beyond fuel security: Reliability, resilience and a more sustainable future through grid flexibility
Why the focus on fuel security when improving grid flexibility could achieve the aims of fuel security more cost effectively while modernizing and decarbonizing our grid?
Jennie Chen and Kate Konschnik • Oct. 25, 2018 -
Why blockchain will power the new energy network
Other than power trading, there are three major use cases for blockchain to impact the grid — grid security and generation balancing, infrastructure and microgrid financing, and a new REC.
Kevin Stevens • Oct. 23, 2018 -
Alternative retail electric suppliers: A surge in consumer protection standards in Illinois
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is applying new and stronger consumer protection rules, stakeholder engagement and consumer education tools to evaluate the deregulated electric supply market.
Sadzi Martha Oliva, Gerardo J. Delgado & Janel Haretoun • Oct. 19, 2018 -
Protecting the grid from cyberattack: Cities on the front lines
The electric grid is increasingly part of our national security, and cities are at the forefront. But a revolution in technology and practice can make us all safer.
Ken Boyce and Karen Weigert • Oct. 17, 2018 -
Vehicle emissions rollback shouldn't stop utilities from investing in electric vehicles
The expanding electric vehicle market has created new revenue opportunities for electricity generators and utilities, but the Trump administration's recent attempt to roll back fuel efficiency standards creates new uncertainty.
Sarah A. W. Fitts and Caitlin M. Ajax • Oct. 17, 2018 -
Energy efficiency helps housing affordability, especially for low-income families
Left unchecked, rising energy costs can compromise the quality and long-term affordability of rental homes for low-income Californians, Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister and NRDC's Maria Stamas write.
Maria Stamas and Andrew McAllister • Oct. 15, 2018 -
What Nevada can learn from Virginia's experience with electric deregulation
Virginia State Senator Frank Wagner says he watched electric rates rise from deregulation across the East Coast in the 90s and warns Nevada voters to avoid the same fate in November.
Frank Wagner • Oct. 11, 2018 -
As companies like Lyft and UPS electrify fleets, local incentives can play a key role
Chicago’s Drive Clean Truck Program is a great example of an innovative incentive for alternative fuel and electric vehicles, Illinois Commerce Commissioner Anastasia Palivos writes.
Anastasia Palivos, Ritta Merza and Emily Brumit • Oct. 09, 2018 -
FERC's electric enforcement process is a procedural quagmire in need of reform
After repeated losses, FERC may consider reforming its electric enforcement procedures, but any changes could look a lot different than you think. Poorly conceived reforms could lead to an existential crisis in Federal Power Act enforcement.
Wesley J. Heath • Oct. 03, 2018 -
When PJM's capacity market stops working for consumers is it time to leave?
Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Brien Sheahan urges states with renewable energy mandates or nuclear subsidies to reevaluate their participation in the largest U.S. electricity market.
Brien J. Sheahan • Oct. 02, 2018 -
Will the CPUC reject illegal cost shifts onto millions of Californians served by Community Choice Energy programs?
Current proposals for Resource Adequacy Capacity valuation, and the lack of a GHG-free energy premium, are just two of the ways the CPUC's current proposal improperly shifts costs, Nick Chaset writes.
Nick Chaset • Sept. 26, 2018 -
How FERC can protect customers and respect state energy policy authority in its PJM capacity market proceeding
FERC's PJM capacity market order must be implemented in a way that preserves the authority of the 13 states and D.C. to pursue clean energy and protects customers from billions in higher utility bills.
Ann McCabe and Miles Farmer • Sept. 25, 2018 -
A flexible framework for capacity investment planning and decision making
Evolving electricity markets and technology often lead to uncertainty for resource planners, making capacity investment decisions challenging. The increasing affordability of resources that can be deployed quickly can help planners manage this uncertainty.
David Manning • Sept. 24, 2018