Xcel Colorado proposes $15B plan to double renewables, add gas and energy storage capacity

The plan includes about 5,400 MW of solar and wind resources, more than 1,000 MW of energy storage and almost 630 MW of new gas-fired capacity.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2023

FERC to hike scrutiny of JPMorgan power sector actions after finding link to private equity firm IIF

J.P. Morgan Investment can make “virtually every major decision” for IIF, which owns El Paso Electric, nearly 5 GW of gas-fired capacity and other energy assets, FERC said last week.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 26, 2023

Record 13% of Eastern Interconnect capacity failed in Winter Storm Elliott: FERC, NERC

FERC commissioners called on Congress Thursday to name an agency for gas reliability oversight as commission and NERC staff issued cold-weather recommendations.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 22, 2023

Maryland officials press FERC to reject PJM directive to Exelon for $785M in transmission upgrades

The PJM Interconnection failed to consider energy storage and other options to handle Talen Energy’s plan to retire its Brandon Shores power plant, according to Maryland officials.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Sept. 21, 2023

Rising electrification requires a dramatic shift to integrated planning of DER, bulk resources: Xcel VP

Effective distribution system planning and merging analytic insights into comprehensive electricity planning both face barriers, analysts and stakeholders said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 20, 2023

Decarbonizing 8 industrial sectors could require more than $1 trillion capital investment: DOE

An increasingly clean electric power sector could help drop industrial emissions 15% by 2030, according to a report from the Department of Energy.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2023

Vistra plans to sell nearly 400 MW in PJM to ease market power fears from Energy Harbor deal

The plan to sell generating units in Ohio will accelerate the merger review process, the companies told federal regulators Monday. They plan to close the $6.3 billion deal by the end of the year.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 19, 2023

Xcel to supply United Power with excess energy after co-op’s exit from Tri-State

As Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association loses members over cost and sustainability concerns, departing utilities are working to secure alternative energy supplies.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2023

DOD taps X-energy to develop enhanced design for transportable micro nuclear reactor

The Department of Defense is continuing funding for X-energy to develop a reactor design that “is ready for licensing by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for both commercial ventures and military resiliency.”

By Larry Pearl • Sept. 15, 2023

Emerging firm and peaking clean energy tech can slash carbon-free power costs: Google

Corporate clean-energy buyers can help commercialize emerging technologies like next-gen geothermal, carbon capture and storage, advanced nuclear, hydrogen and long-duration storage, Google said.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 15, 2023

MISO: 49 GW has received interconnection approval, but projects face major delays

The roughly two-year delays in building generation and storage come as the Midcontinent Independent System Operator faces looming capacity shortfalls.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 14, 2023

Restart of Palisades nuclear plant takes ‘giant step’ as Holtec, Wolverine Power sign PPA

“[A]lthough we see no real obstacles ahead, re-powering of a dormant plant such as Palisades would be a feat that has never been achieved before,” Holtec International CEO Kris Singh said.

By Larry Pearl • Sept. 13, 2023

As Google, Meta eye clean energy buys, researchers find widely used strategy has scant carbon benefits

Compared with annual matching, 24/7 green power procurements can drive “significant” cuts in carbon emissions and spur emerging technologies like long duration storage, Princeton University researchers found.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Sept. 13, 2023

ERCOT forced to declare emergency conditions in extreme heat as Texas flirts with blackouts

Experts say battery resources may have kept the grid operator from declaring rolling blackouts amid low renewables output and high thermal outages.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2023

Ninth Circuit largely upholds FERC PURPA reform decision affecting small solar, wind

The appeals court on Tuesday told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to assess how its decision would affect the environment but didn’t vacate the order.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 6, 2023

Facing declining membership, Tri-State offers to sell excess power

Selling excess power can “reduce cost pressures on our remaining members,” Tri-State CEO Duane Highley said in a statement.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2023

PJM, market participants reach agreement to resolve $1.8B in Winter Storm Elliott fines

The agreement potentially resolving disputes with Calpine, Energy Harbor, LS Power and others is slated to be filed with federal regulators late this month.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 5, 2023

RNG developer Terreva Renewables secures $417M in funding in first year

The private equity-backed developer has already completed four renewable natural gas projects on landfills in the United States, with more expected.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 5, 2023

As Ørsted, others seek up to 71% hike in clean energy contract prices, NYSERDA warns of rate increases

Proposals to raise offshore wind and onshore renewable energy contract prices in New York would push residential rates up by 4% a month, according to a state agency.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 31, 2023

Texas grid operator to consider reliability-must-run contract for retiring Talen Energy gas unit

Experts say RMR agreements in Texas are rare, but recent extreme weather may be forcing the grid operator to reconsider assumptions around demand and needed resources.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2023

Minnesota regulators clear way for 10-year operating extension of Xcel’s Monticello nuclear plant

The decision will allow plant operations to continue through 2040, subject to the NRC also approving a license extension.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2023

American Clean Power asks FERC to hold conference on capacity accreditation

Improving the patchwork approach to measuring the reliability value of power plants, energy storage and other resources would bolster the grid, according to the trade group.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 25, 2023

CAISO seeks FERC approval for Western day-ahead market, with 2025 start date

The grid operator’s proposal is a key step in developing electricity markets in the West but faces competition from the Southwest Power Pool.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 24, 2023

DOJ raises market power concerns for PJM in Vistra-Energy Harbor deal

Vistra could withhold power from a gas-fired power plant in Ohio to increase prices for nuclear plants that would be bought in the roughly $6.3 billion deal, the DOJ’s Antitrust Division said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 23, 2023

Only 6% of gas capacity needs major changes to meet EPA’s proposed GHG rules: RMI report

Power plant owners most affected by the EPA proposal are Florida Power & Light, Georgia Power, Entergy Louisiana, Southern Power and Duke Energy Florida, according to RMI’s analysis.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Aug. 25, 2023