Generation
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Congress pushes for storage, renewables to have same private investment incentives as fossil fuels
Two bipartisan bills introduced last week would shift tax policies to incentivize clean energy and carbon capture technologies.
By Robert Walton • June 17, 2019 -
Tri-State assesses FERC rate regulation to avoid potential inconsistency of state oversight
Tri-State currently avoids FERC regulation because all of its members are small electric cooperatives, but it could change that by adding a member who is not — possibly a power marketer.
By Robert Walton • June 17, 2019 -
US power sector carbon emissions rise as natural gas outpaces renewables: Ceres
Non-emitting resources rose to the top for the first time in 2017 among the 100 biggest power generators in the U.S., but rising power demand met increasingly by natural gas caused overall carbon levels to increase.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 17, 2019 -
TVA agrees to excavate 12M tons of coal ash after 5-year battle
"Complex geology" under the unlined pits led to groundwater seepage, and evidence showed the Cumberland River was contaminated by the heavy metals.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 14, 2019 -
North Carolina anti-wind bill would freeze development, devastate industry, say critics
The bill passed the state Senate Wednesday and is intended to prevent turbine interference with military flight paths. But military leaders say the legislation is unnecessary.
By HJ Mai • June 14, 2019 -
Maine steps up clean energy turnaround, tees up 80% RPS, pro-solar bills
After eight years of controversial renewables policies, the 2019 legislature has ramped up its focus on clean energy.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 13, 2019 -
Colstrip coal units to close early as operator blames fuel supplier
Units 1 and 2 were scheduled to retire by December 2022, but Talen Energy said rising fuel costs were forcing the units to shutter early.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 12, 2019 -
DOE has no 'regulatory or statutory ability' to create coal, nuclear bailout, says Perry
"FERC would be where I would direct your attention," he told reporters Tuesday, continuing to push an "all of the above" generation strategy at an electric utility conference in Philadelphia.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 12, 2019 -
GE: Hydrogen trumps CCS in preserving gas turbines in a carbon-free grid
The company said its gas turbines are able to handle increasing amounts of hydrogen fuel, lowering the resulting emissions and moving the technology toward burning 100% carbon-free hydrogen.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 11, 2019 -
Michigan approves Consumers' IRP eliminating coal, reducing emissions 90% by 2040
Part of the utility's plan will add 5 GW of solar by 2030 through competitive bidding, including 1.2 GW from 2019 to 2021.
By Robert Walton • June 10, 2019 -
California natural gas costs could spike as state decarbonizes: E3, UC Irvine
A new analysis predicts the state will see a dramatic decline in gas demand, potentially raising costs for remaining customers, with harder impacts on low-income customers.
By Robert Walton • June 10, 2019 -
As Ohio Senate nears vote on nuke subsidy bill, PJM finds closing plants could save $1.6B
The report laid out three scenarios for plant retirement impacts across the grid operator's territory, with critics complaining the analysis doesn't account for subsidies or the social cost of carbon.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 10, 2019 -
Bloomberg commits $500M to phasing out coal, halting new gas plants
The "Beyond Carbon" campaign will push for a 100% clean energy economy in the U.S., aiming to close all coal plants by 2030 and prevent the construction of any new natural gas plants.
By Robert Walton • June 07, 2019 -
GE 'badly' misjudged the clean energy transition, costing investors almost $193B: IEFFA
The company is now working to grow its renewables business after a big bet on natural gas failed with the turbine market crash of 2015.
By Robert Walton • June 07, 2019 -
A renewable energy mutual fund? Starbucks charts new path with 146 MW procurement
The retailer announced a portfolio of three 15-year power purchase agreements through LevelTen Energy's platform within the ERCOT, SPP and PJM markets.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 06, 2019 -
Ninth Circuit rules it can't make NorthWestern pay higher PURPA rates for solar facilities
Small solar developers in the state filed an appeal with the federal appellate court, arguing PURPA facilities should be paid at rates set before the commission unlawfully froze payments.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 06, 2019 -
US energy storage market sees 232% year-on-year growth
The resource had another record quarter in Q1 2019, with 148.8 MW deployed across the U.S. and projections it will reach an installed total of 4.5 GW by 2024.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 05, 2019 -
Michigan opens 3.3M farmland acres to bee-friendly solar projects
Previously, solar was considered to have too large of an ecological footprint to build on farmland, but innovation in pollinator-friendly sites has made the resource viable in rural areas.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 04, 2019 -
Colorado Gov Polis unveils roadmap to 100% carbon free by 2040, signs 11 clean energy bills
The various electric vehicle, climate and energy bills will reduce economy-wide emissions 90% by 2050, but don't set specific legislative mandates.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 03, 2019 -
Massachusetts energy agency recommends another 1.6 GW offshore wind
The state's energy agency will require its electric distribution companies to proceed with offshore wind generation solicitations in 2022, 2024 and possibly 2026.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 03, 2019 -
DOE: Geothermal generation could reach 60 GW by 2050, with tech improvements
Geothermal electric generation capacity is expected to grow to 6 GW by 2050 — though there is the potential for much more, according to a new analysis from the U.S. Department of Energy.
By Robert Walton • June 03, 2019 -
Deep DiveAre cities the Green New Deal's most viable frontier?
New York City and Los Angeles want to put a local spin on the national version — though the plans may be tricky to replicate.
By Chris Teale • June 03, 2019 -
Duke to accelerate Florida nuclear plant decommissioning by almost 50 years
If approved by federal and state regulators, the utility will decommission its previously retired Crystal River Nuclear plant by 2027.
By HJ Mai • May 31, 2019 -
Virginia denies Costco exit from Dominion service
State regulators said the company's exit would cost ratepayers $1.57 million annually as five other businesses have also asked to exit the incumbent utility's "excessive costs."
By Catherine Morehouse • May 31, 2019 -
Ohio House approves nuclear, coal subsidies, ditches renewables mandate
The legislation headed to the state Senate scraps utility clean-energy requirements established in 2008 while raising $190 million annually to bail out two FirstEnergy Solutions nuclear plants.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2019
