Generation
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Supreme Court Clean Water Act case could have big impact on coal ash disposal
A case, which the High Court accepted Monday, regards whether pollution that travels through groundwater is subject to the federal law — a key issue for utilities operating coal ash facilities.
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 20, 2019
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Senate bill targets significant savings from gas demand response amid supply challenges
The legislation, introduced by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Angus King, I-Maine, includes $10 million for pilot programs aimed at reducing market price volatility.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2019
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FERC reasserts authority over PG&E contracts in bankruptcy court filing
PG&E may want to exit older renewable energy contracts as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding, but FERC argued it must separately win approval from the agency to alter their terms.
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 19, 2019
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Developer eyes world's largest solar+storage facility for Texas
Listed in the ERCOT interconnection report, the project would combine 495 MW of solar with 495 MW of energy storage in 2021, if completed.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 19, 2019
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PJM to ask FERC to invalidate its energy market rules after stakeholder impasse
The grid operator's controversial five-point proposal includes changes that will boost the real-time and day-ahead markets by allowing larger, less flexible units to set prices.
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 15, 2019
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TVA votes to retire Paradise, Bull Run coal units despite Trump tweet
Even if power demand increases and prices for natural gas more than double, TVA found the plants would not be competitive.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 15, 2019
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Murkowski 'frustrated' by FERC impasse, pushes White House for nominees
The chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee said some issues are "perhaps deadlocked right now" due to a vacancy on the commission, but said the White House has not communicated about potential nominees.
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 14, 2019
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Dominion to halve emissions from gas infrastructure in next decade
Renewable energy advocates were unimpressed by the commitment, saying the best way for Dominion to reduce methane emissions is to stop building pipelines.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2019
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AEP to buy Sempra Renewables for $1B, including 724 MW wind and battery assets
The acquisition follows parent-company Sempra's announcement last summer that it plans to spin off its nonutility operating renewable assets.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 13, 2019
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Glick calls for 'new approach' to capacity markets in wide-ranging NARUC talk
The FERC regulator’s hour-long address contrasted with that of his colleague Commissioner Bernard McNamee, who spoke for 11 minutes and addressed no specific policy issues.
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 13, 2019
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TVA proposes to close Paradise, Bull Run coal units despite Trump tweet
President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pressed the utility on Twitter to keep the Paradise plant open.
By Gavin Bade • UPDATED: Feb. 12, 2019 at 11:23 a.m.
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LA scraps plan to rebuild 3 gas plants, moves towards 100% renewable energy
The decision marks the end of a multi-year debate over the plan to invest $2.2 billion in gas-fired power plants, and follows a decision by state lawmakers last year to pursue an all-clean energy strategy by 2045.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2019
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Congressional Democrats push FERC to act on aggregated DERs
Seventeen House members and 18 Senators urged FERC to issue a decision "as soon as possible" that "enables all [distributed energy resources] the opportunity to participate in … wholesale markets."
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 11, 2019
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Arizona extends gas plant moratorium, punts on PURPA reforms
Regulators last week extended a partial moratorium on utility construction of new large gas-fired generators in the state until Aug. 1, 2019, as they consider a broad, 80% clean energy proposal.
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 11, 2019
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With 288 storage and generation projects lined up, California eases interconnection process
The California ISO Board of Governors approved network upgrade definitions, minimum acceptance criteria and validation procedures for interconnection requests, as a result of a year-long stakeholder process.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 08, 2019
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ISO-NE capacity prices fall amid controversy over Vineyard Wind participation
Prices fell in the grid operator's annual capacity market this week, but owners of the Vineyard Wind facility said they would have been lower if the 800 MW offshore wind farm had participated fully.
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 08, 2019
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Want better grid mod proceedings? Exelon official says involve stakeholders earlier
To reduce tension between power companies and other stakeholders, the grid mod process could include more opportunities for public input, the company's director of utility initiatives told a crowd of state energy regulators.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 07, 2019
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Propelling clean energy innovation forward: What does the industry need from regulators?
As utilities, corporations and states accelerate their goals, new technology will be necessary to support the clean energy transition, and the government's role in R&D and market incentives will be vital, a new report says.
By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 07, 2019
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Ohio governor taps wind critic Randazzo as utility commission chair
The former lobbyist for industrial energy consumers has worked against wind development in Ohio for years and helped craft a 2014 state law that froze renewable energy and efficiency standards.
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 06, 2019
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Puerto Rico proposes largest solar, storage buildout in US with 20-year draft resource plan
Adding over 2,220 MW of solar and 1,080 MW of battery storage over the next two decades, PREPA would also phase out its use of coal and bunker oil, expensive energy fuels the island imports.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 06, 2019
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Deep DiveAs corporate renewable buying surges, innovative PPAs pressure utilities to improve green tariffs
Financial intermediaries are de-risking all-time low-cost renewables purchases, driving record private sector buying and pressuring utilities to match the offerings.
By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 06, 2019
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FERC passes on Vineyard Wind emergency request for ISO-NE auction delay
Owners of the planned offshore wind facility pressed FERC to delay the grid operator's capacity auction on Monday, arguing rules do not allow it to participate fully.
By Gavin Bade • UPDATED: Feb. 6, 2019 at 9:02 a.m.
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Michigan Gov cites extreme weather, Consumers gas shortage in signing clean energy order
Gretchen Whitmer, D, committed the state to the U.S. emissions reduction target under the Paris Climate Agreement, noting the urgency of her actions in the context of extreme weather events last week.
By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 05, 2019
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NIPSCO to add 800 MW wind in first steps to coal-free generation
NIPSCO plans to retire its last coal unit by 2028 and expects its generation transition to produce $4 billion in cost-savings for customers over the long term.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 05, 2019
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EPS Ep. 6: The toxic legacy of coal ash in Tennessee
A decade after the worst coal ash spill in U.S. history, Nashville Public Radio reporter Shalina Chatlani talks about its continuing impacts on residents and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
By Gavin Bade • Feb. 04, 2019