Generation

California proposes PG&E, SCE as central procurement agencies, but CCAs have doubts

The system would help create an effective portfolio of local resources, reduce the need for backstop procurement and allocate costs equitably, the CPUC said.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 01, 2020

When will the US get 1 GW of offshore wind on the grid?

Two analyses foresee the U.S. reaching the offshore wind milestone by 2024, but disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic and continued federal inaction on permitting could create delays.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 31, 2020

Nuclear regulators ease some power reactor regs in response to COVID-19

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued guidance for plant operators on how to safely operate with workforces reduced by the coronavirus.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 31, 2020

New Jersey looks to exit PJM capacity market, worried MOPR will impede 100% carbon-free goals

New Jersey officials fear the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's expanded application of its Minimum Offer Price Rule will impede the state's ability to utilize more clean energy.

By Robert Walton • March 31, 2020

EPA gives power plants, regulated entities pollution compliance flexibility, citing COVID-19 concerns

Environmentalists worry the new policy will give power facilities "an open license to pollute."

By Catherine Morehouse • March 30, 2020

Colorado expedites Tri-State member exit charge case, as power supplier gets 'split decision' on FERC jurisdiction

The decision allows the Colorado PUC to determine fees required for La Plata Electric Association and United Energy to exit Tri-State Generation and Transmission's service.

By Robert Walton • March 27, 2020

Deep Dive

How COVID-19 is impacting 5 state energy legislation efforts

At least 22 states have delayed legislative sessions and most others are shifting priorities toward the pandemic. That means state energy progress will likely take a hit this session, stakeholders say.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 26, 2020

Deep Dive

Coronavirus could disrupt normal refueling practices for nuclear facilities as staffing concerns grow

Across the U.S., nuclear sites need to accommodate an influx of workers during the spring for cyclical refueling procedures, which will be difficult based on public health restrictions put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 26, 2020

Deep Dive

Cheapest is not always best: Concentrated solar power could beat lower price PV with new market rules

With its zero-emissions mandate, California will need a diversity of renewable resources along with CSP, "particularly because of its long duration storage" potential, the state's Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild said.​

By Herman K. Trabish • March 26, 2020

Nearly $2T stimulus package omits direct renewable sector aid after Trump, McConnell opposition

President Donald Trump signed the latest stimulus package into law Friday. Power sector leaders see broad benefits stemming from the bill, including small business and unemployment loans.

By Catherine Morehouse • UPDATED: March 30, 2020 at 8:38 a.m.

Competitive Power Ventures gas plant uses new GE combustion system to cut fuel costs with ethane blend

CPV says its 1,050 MW Fairview natural gas-fired power plant can run on a cheaper fuel mix without impacting operational efficiency or increasing emissions.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 24, 2020

Tracking the impacts of coronavirus on the US power sector

EPA eases pollution compliance requirements for power plants and other regulated entities; FERC and NERC say the electric sector is taking aggressive steps on coronavirus, but a deeper assessment is coming in April.

By Nami Sumida • UPDATED: March 30, 2020 at 9:57 a.m.

18 Senate Democrats call on Congress to include renewables in stalled stimulus package

A Friday letter recommends tax credit extensions or an elimination of the tax credit phase-out, direct payment, refunds, or safe harbor extensions, among other options.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 23, 2020

Deep Dive

PG&E, SCE abandon big microgrid plans for temporary emergency measures as wildfire season nears

Regulators' push to implement a law requiring microgrid rollouts is being frustrated by the costs of traditional generation and clean energy complexities.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 23, 2020

Unemployment poised to skyrocket, creating urgent need to spur renewables: Obama veteran of 2008 financial crisis

Power sector leaders are pushing Congress to address hits to the industry, as a former Obama transition team member says renewables and transmission buildouts could be the first jobs to start hiring.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 20, 2020

PJM MOPR compliance plan allays renewable sector concerns of being shut out of capacity auctions

The grid operator's long-awaited compliance filing is a "phenomenal" attempt to minimize the most contentious aspects of the federal order, according to an industry lawyer.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 19, 2020

Oklo submits first advanced reactor license application in US as NRC moves to streamline reviews

Advanced reactors purport to be the "next generation" of nuclear that can fix the problems facing the current industry, but first they need to go through a lengthy regulatory process.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 18, 2020

DOE nixes automatic confidentiality designations for utilities, seen by NGOs as potential boost for coal and nuclear

"You could see a pathway for DOE using this information to prohibit coal or nuclear plants from closing and limiting the public's ability to engage in that decision making process," a clean energy advocate said.

By Robert Walton • March 18, 2020

Deep Dive

A red state template for 100% renewables? Utah bill unites Rocky Mountain Power, cities and activists

An 80% Republican legislature has approved HB 411, which will move more than a third of the state’s electricity load to 100% renewables by 2030.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2020

Retail buyers may be key to clean energy procurement in ISO-NE, PJM, NYISO: Report

As states increasingly find capacity markets incompatible with their clean energy goals, a new report finds reform to the retail model is needed for those states to realize the competitive market's full potential.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 17, 2020

Wind plants can provide grid services similar to gas, hydro, easing renewables integration: CAISO

Tests conducted at a wind farm near San Diego indicate that when equipped with inverter-based smart controllers, commercial wind plants can provide a variety of grid services.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 13, 2020

Global coal developers at risk of losing over $600B through building new plants: Report

There are 499 GW of new coal generation planned or under construction globally, and all of that power will be undercut by cheaper renewables in all major global markets by 2030, a new analysis finds.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 12, 2020

Deep Dive

Nuclear energy storage? Advanced reactor developers trying to expand nuclear power's selling points

Molten salt reactors have been trying to reach commercialization for several years, and developers are now emphasizing their potential storage capability. But that may not be enough.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 12, 2020

Over reliance on gas in PREPA IRP jeopardizes Puerto Rico's 100% clean energy goals, groups say

The future of Puerto Rico's electric grid hinges on a lot of moving parts: the utility's long-term plan, a debt restructuring agreement, the search for replacement generation and access to federal emergency funding.

By Robert Walton • March 12, 2020

Indiana passes coal plant support bill as Democrats removed from conference committee deliberations

The final version of the bill keeps the 90-day fuel supply provision out, but reverts back to other elements of the House version that would make coal plants more difficult to retire in the state.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 11, 2020