Opinion: Page 9

The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders


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  • Rare earth ore held in partially closed hand
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    How clean energy legislation can incentivize US mineral production

    Both presidential candidates generally agree on the importance of supporting U.S. critical mineral projects given their role in securely supplying key industries, from defense manufacturers to automotive companies.

    Gregory Wischer and Morgan Bazilian • Oct. 11, 2024
  • Rooftop solar panels at the Soleil Lofts apartment complex in Herriman, Utah
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    Permission granted by sonnen, Inc.
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    Unfinished business: The bipartisan appeal of distributed power plants

    Policymakers can best address the grid’s problems by leveraging existing regulatory authorizations to make better use of our assets and infrastructure, former FERC chairs Jon Wellinghoff and Neil Chatterjee write.

    Jon Wellinghoff and Neil Chatterjee • Oct. 10, 2024
  • Power lines next to a tree-lined road.
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    Opportunities and obstacles for the Northeast States Collaborative on Interregional Transmission

    The memorandum of understanding that established the collaborative is remarkable for the sheer number of states involved and the fact that it covers three independent system operators: ISO-NE, NYISO and PJM.

    Ryan Cross • Oct. 9, 2024
  • Aerial view of wind farm and solar farms on the island of Oahu in Hawaii Islands.
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    Hawai‘i’s electricity problems expose a failed energy transition strategy

    Hawai‘i, like several other states, is taking fossil fuel generation out of the system faster than it is bringing on alternative generation.

    Jonathan Chanis • Oct. 8, 2024
  • Solar panels and wind turbines in the desert producing renewable energy.
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    Big Tech is upending the clean energy landscape

    Big Tech’s demands for specific project development plans and contractual provisions can create — or destroy — millions of dollars in value for renewable companies.

    Akshat Kasliwal, Jesse Gilbert, and Anirudh Mathur • Oct. 7, 2024
  • Partial silhouette of a fireman, with a Colorado wildfire burning behind him.
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    5 ways utilities and other climate planners can tackle extreme heat

    As climate change causes extreme heat to spread and become more frequent, the health and energy insecurity impacts faced by vulnerable populations will grow, too.

    Judsen Bruzgul and Mason Fried • Sept. 27, 2024
  • An digital image with a large lightening bolt, illustrating energy innovation
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    C&I customer needs are rapidly changing. How can utilities maximize their relationship?

    Utilities risk being blindsided by the capacity needs of commercial and industrial customers by not engaging them early and often to understand their electrification plans.

    Julia Hamm and Chase Weir • Sept. 26, 2024
  • Scientists stand beside a new carbon capture test unit.
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    Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
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    Results show carbon capture’s alleged promises are full of hot air

    The happy-talk DOE press information says nothing about the difficulties associated with building a first-of-its kind technology and hooking it up to a large-scale electric generator.

    Dennis Wamsted • Sept. 25, 2024
  • Wind farm with transmission lines.
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    Permitting reform’s false choice

    Any benefits to green infrastructure that would be gained by undoing federal protections are likely to be more than offset by the proliferation of fossil fuels.

    David E. Adelman • Sept. 20, 2024
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    Renewable energy claims under scrutiny: Preparing for the updated FTC Green Guides

    Public utilities and energy companies, in particular, should brace for increased scrutiny of their environmental claims.

    Shawane L. Lee • Sept. 19, 2024
  • Ground view of metal and glass buildings
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    Misguided DOE rules on fossil fuel use will harm human health and risk national security

    Two recent DOE actions will effectively ban more resilient building solutions like microgrids and combined heat and power that are among the cleanest, most versatile and efficient ways to power buildings.

    Cameron Brooks • Sept. 18, 2024
  • A transmission line tower and wind turbines in Illinois.
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    The Energy Permitting Reform Act is our best shot at advancing critical climate goals

    The bill would be a crucial step toward America realizing its potential as a 21st century clean energy superpower, but only if we can put our desires for a perfect policy aside and embrace practical compromise.

    Danielle Russo • Sept. 17, 2024
  • Electric transmission lines crossing Colorado's Eagles Nest Wilderness.
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    Detractors take note: Tri-State is meeting its reliability, affordability and clean energy obligations

    A recent report from the Colorado Energy Office shows Tri-State, unlike some other power suppliers in our region, has ample resources in the years ahead, the general manager of K.C. Electric Association writes.

    David Churchwell • Sept. 16, 2024
  • The sun sets behind some transmission lines.
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    "sunset2" by Barbara Eckstein is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Politicized energy policies aren’t working, but a better system is possible

    Pairing partisanship with extraordinary demands on our power grid from load growth and energy evolution is a recipe for catastrophic failure.

    Christina Hayes and Todd Snitchler • Sept. 13, 2024
  • A skyline of New York City
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    The impacts of climate change on deeply decarbonized energy systems: A New York case study

    As the impacts of climate change intensify, it will become increasingly important for energy system planners to directly account for the effects that warming temperatures will have across every segment of the industry.

    Kevin Steinberger, Vignesh Venugopal and Tory Clark • Sept. 12, 2024
  • Nuclear power plant after sunset. Dusk landscape with big chimneys.
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    Why many environmentalists are warming to nuclear power

    They are revisiting their early concerns about nuclear power — primarily waste, safety and costs — in light of new information, and they are concluding that the benefits outweigh the risks.

    Judi Greenwald • Sept. 11, 2024
  • Electric vehicles at an EV charging station.
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    Utilities hold the key to the electric vehicle market

    Most utilities are already engaged in basic EV-related activities, such as education regarding when and where to charge, and are offering incentives to install charging infrastructure. But they can do much more. 

    Doug McMahon • Sept. 10, 2024
  • Wind turbines seen behind solar panels at a wind farm.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Distributed capacity procurement: A new model for utilities to deploy DERs at scale

    The record-setting surge in PJM capacity pricing spotlights the reality that we have been unable to build new capacity resources fast enough.

    Pier LaFarge • Sept. 5, 2024
  • Rendering of the $11 billion Port Arthur LNG project in Port Arthur, Texas.
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    Courtesy of Port Arthur LNG
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    LNG exports make both economic and environmental sense

    Exports are not reducing domestic supply and squeezing American ratepayers or power plant operators; exports come from added production and have only a small impact on price.

    Kyle Isakower • Sept. 4, 2024
  • High voltage power lines seen from below
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Generator interconnection hurdles throttle economic development. An entry fee model can help.

    The current interconnection process puts project developers in the untenable position of sinking years of effort and millions of dollars into projects with virtually no insight into the ultimate cost or timeline to connect to the grid.

    Ted Thomas • Sept. 3, 2024
  • A rooftop solar installation against the backdrop of the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in midtown Manhattan.
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    New York cannot afford nuclear power and must not slow down its Climate Act

    Claims that small modular reactors will provide cheaper, safer and faster nuclear energy remain unproven, echoing the same empty promises that led to past failures. 

    Raya Salter • Aug. 30, 2024
  • Power lines leading into the city of Cleveland Ohio at sunset time.
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    Getting real about reliability in PJM

    The July capacity auction for the 2025/26 delivery was the first auction in over five years that sent a message to power suppliers: We need you to stay, and we need you to bring some more friends.

    Glen Thomas • Aug. 29, 2024
  • FERC headquarters
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    Permission granted by Esme Howland
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    Beyond Chevron: The future of FERC’s authority in a post-deference era

    Challenges are anticipated in how FERC justifies its regulatory reach, particularly concerning its role in managing transmission systems and ensuring power grid reliability.

    Lyle D. Larson • Aug. 21, 2024
  • Image of a data center facility
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    Courtesy of Fluor
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    Surging data center power demand risks subtracting clean energy from the grid

    Regulators and policymakers must react effectively to big tech’s acquisition of renewable resources by driving investments in new dispatchable energy and capacity.

    Brad Viator • Aug. 16, 2024
  • The sun sets behind some transmission lines.
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    "sunset2" by Barbara Eckstein is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    To get more transmission, we need a bottom-up approach

    A bottom-up process to build support for transmission development can deliver more line miles faster at lower cost with broad popular support.

    Joshua Rogers • Aug. 15, 2024