Generation
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Joe Raedle via Getty Images
'Unacceptable:' Texas market reforms will not be quick, electric grid operator tells dissatisfied regulators
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas may need two years to implement some market reforms, citing staffing shortages and the complexity of designing new market products.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 18, 2022 -
Retrieved from Pixabay on January 18, 2022
Deep Dive2022 Outlook: Top US power sector trends to watch
The Biden administration entered 2022 with some key strengths and some significant challenges to implementing its clean-energy agenda, but states, companies and others are continuing to advance the energy transition.
By Kavya Balaraman, Ethan Howland, Robert Walton and Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 18, 2022 -
Permission granted by Midcontinent Independent System Operator
MISO resource adequacy proposals garner mixed reviews from states, utilities, power users
The different views highlight the cross-currents MISO faces among its stakeholders as it aims to make sure it has the resources to keep the lights on.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 18, 2022 -
Fotolia
Biden decarbonization goals could triple reliance on electric grid: EPRI
For the U.S. to achieve a carbon-neutral economy, 60% of end-use energy could come from electricity, according to the Electric Power Research Institute. Today, that figure is around 20%.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2022 -
Courtesy of Governor Phil Murphy, Facebook
Interior Department announces New York Bight lease auction for up to 7 GW of offshore wind
The Biden administration sent another signal to the clean energy sector while continuing to press for passage of the Build Back Better bill.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 13, 2022 -
Willowpix via Getty Images
Senate energy committee considers calls to speed 'glacial pace' of hydropower permitting
A coalition of hydro, environmental and tribal groups plans to float a proposal next month to fix a hydro permitting process under which it can take longer to re-license a small hydroelectric dam than a nuclear power plant.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 12, 2022 -
Alexander, Steven. (2014). "Site and Ash Basin" [photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Midwest power plants face shutdown after EPA proposes denying requests to keep using unlined coal ash ponds
The move could affect plants owned by ArcLight Capital Partners, Alliant Energy and Ohio Valley Electric Corp. while setting precedent for other coal-fired facilities.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 12, 2022 -
Sean Gallup / Staff via Getty Images
OpinionUnused and useless: States must act to end flawed natural gas power plant buildouts
Nothing exemplifies the irrational utility business model more than the billions of dollars companies have spent expanding natural gas capacity over the last decade, the author writes.
By Grant Smith • Jan. 11, 2022 -
NRC denies Oklo Power's plan to construct 1.5 MW advanced nuclear reactor in Idaho
Federal regulators cited a lack of safety data in Oklo's application, including details on potential accidents, safety systems and components classifications.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2022 -
Aryut via Getty Images
Data centers, EVs drive PJM's long-term load growth forecast, but it expects some utilities to see declines
However, the grid operator on Friday trimmed its forecast for its next capacity auction year by 0.5%, reflecting slower than expected load growth.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 4, 2022 -
Deep DiveDuke, SCE, other grid modernization proposals faced big cost questions, more regulator scrutiny in 2021
Regulators facing new climate and reliability urgencies and nearly 500 grid modernization proposals are more often favoring phased advances toward a smarter system.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2022 -
Ron Jenkins via Getty Images
'Anecdotal evidence' points to price gouging during winter storm Uri, NERC official says
Power shutoffs to gas compression facilities were not the primary cause of the February grid outages in Texas and the U.S. Southwest, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp. And price gouging may have played a part.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 22, 2021 -
Alex Wong via Getty Images
Democrats plan to press ahead with Build Back Better bill, despite Manchin opposition
The legislation threatens grid reliability and increases U.S. dependence on foreign supply chains, according to Sen. Joe Manchin.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 20, 2021 -
Chuck Schug Photography via Getty Images
Extreme weather, plant retirements challenge US grid amid a looming Midwest capacity shortfall: NERC
Recent energy shortfalls and grid disruptions in California and Texas "should serve as a wake-up call for the rest of the country," warned officials at the North American Electric Reliability Corp.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2021 -
Alexander Koerner/Getty Images via Getty Images
Energy transition likely requires market changes, transmission growth, PJM finds
A report released Wednesday identifies gaps in PJM's markets and signals changes in transmission planning and system operations, per the grid operator.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 16, 2021 -
New Mexico denies PNM bid to exit Four Corners coal plant, citing lack of replacement resources
Transferring Four Corners would allow PNM to eliminate coal from its portfolio by 2024, but environmental groups say the deal would have actually prolonged the plant's operations.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2021 -
Deep DiveWill Tri-State's exit fee dispute at FERC shake up the cooperative utility model?
Even with United Power announcing plans to leave, Tri-State continues its pivot toward renewables and contract flexibility.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 15, 2021 -
Permission granted by NuScale Power
NuScale Power plans to be the first advanced nuclear reactor company to go public
The company said Tuesday it will merge with Spring Valley Acquisition to form a new entity currently valued at $1.9 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 15, 2021 -
Spectra Energy
North American Energy Standards Board to tackle gas-electric coordination in 2022
The industry forum wants to improve coordination between natural gas and electricity markets following disruptions in Texas during Winter Storm Uri.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2021 -
Nic Antaya via Getty Images
Biden order on emissions-free power, EVs sends market signals, experts say
As part of the effort, the federal government — the largest U.S. energy consumer — would get half of its power from 24/7 emissions-free sources by 2030.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 9, 2021 -
Sean Pavone/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Deep DiveNew York's landmark Reforming the Energy Vision framework remains both vital and unfinished, analysts say
New York's REV initiatives have given full value to distributed energy resources, but the utility business model transformation must be finished, regulators and other stakeholders agreed.
By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2021 -
Schroeder, Dennis. (2017). "Ivanpah Solar Project". Retrieved from NREL.
Nuclear and carbon capture companies seek $20B as DOE revives loan program
DOE loan office head Jigar Shah said he would like the office to issue at least $2 billion in loans for key emerging sectors, such as battery recycling and "green" hydrogen.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 8, 2021 -
Opinion
Fuel neutrality, pipeline environmental reviews and a return to common sense at FERC
In curtailing the Minimum Offer Price Rule and undertaking environmental reviews of pipelines, federal regulators are fulfilling their responsibilities while respecting state authority, writes former FERC commissioner John Norris.
By John Norris • Dec. 7, 2021 -
Chuck Schug Photography via Getty Images
Wind developer joins $3B transmission project poised to be 'backbone' for Western power markets
The 730-mile TransWest Express project from Wyoming to Nevada could provide Southwest utilities with low-cost wind while facilitating participation in potential area-wide power markets, regional experts say.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 7, 2021 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Texas power plants 'ready for winter' following weatherization assessment, ERCOT says
On-site inspections of more than 300 generating units mean consumers "can be confident" the power system will remain stable this winter, according to the grid operator.
By Robert Walton • Updated Jan. 5, 2022
