Generation
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Exelon, First Solar back bipartisan national carbon tax plan
Exelon has already contributed $1 million to the proposal, which would replace carbon regulations with a tax that would ultimately result in a monthly dividend returned to all Americans, according to Axios.
By Robert Walton • June 21, 2018
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Opinion'Restructured' by any other name would smell as sweet
On the subject of energy markets and their functioning, there's no free market electricity competition, with or without the Trump administration's baseload power supply subsidy plan, former FERC Commissioner Tony Clark writes.
By Tony Clark
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Republicans tout tax law success in hearing on energy sector impacts
While Republican witnesses cited increased wages, capital expenditures and company growth from the recent changes to the tax code, the lone Democrat witness said the bulk of the benefits are bypassing the middle class.
By Peter Maloney • June 21, 2018
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DOE: Puerto Rico has plenty of options for new generation
A new report on options for rebuilding the island's grid recommends considering a wide range of renewables and alternative fuels, an expansion of liquefied natural gas imports, microgrids and energy storage.
By Robert Walton • June 20, 2018
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Deep DiveIn Massachusetts, capacity ownership of distributed resources could determine fate of storage
Current debates over ownership and control of capacity rights associated with solar and energy storage projects could have a big impact on the trajectory of the technologies in the state.
By Peter Maloney • June 20, 2018
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Economic growth is decoupling from power sector carbon emissions, Ceres reports
The analysis shows that the mercury standards focused on technologies used in coal plants effectively lowered air emissions 86% from 2000 levels after going in effect in 2015.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 20, 2018
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World on track for 50% renewables by 2050, says Bloomberg energy outlook
Wind and solar will provide almost 50% of the world's electricity, with hydro, nuclear and other renewables taking total zero-carbon electricity up to 71%.
By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018
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US, EU research further integrates solar and storage
An energy-storing solar cell? Medium-voltage silicon carbide inverters? Research in the United States and Europe could make harnessing solar energy more efficient and cost effective.
By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018
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SCE&G fights damaging Bechtel report as it tries to recoup VC Summer costs
The utility wants to collect $3.8 billion from ratepayers in the next 20 years to partially recoup costs for the failed, $9 billion expansion of the Summer nuclear plant, though Bechtel's assessment puts blame on SCE&G.
By Kim Slowey • June 19, 2018
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As EPA approves Oklahoma coal ash program, researchers find widespread contamination
While EPA on Monday approved the first state permit program for coal ash disposal, a review from Ohio Valley ReSource and WFPL showed 'ubiquitous' groundwater contamination in the Ohio Valley.
By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018
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Moody's goes negative on regulated utilities for first time, citing tax law impacts
Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley upgraded the utilities sector to outperform, and an analyst note remarked that utility stocks are primed for defensive investments.
By Peter Maloney • June 19, 2018
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Is Siemens considering unloading its gas turbine business?
A sale for the troubled unit is reportedly being discussed, but no decisions have been made and, internally, officials say the company remains committed to the business.
By Robert Walton • June 18, 2018
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National Grid targets 80% carbon cut across buildings, transport, power
The utility says its Northeast 80x50 Pathway strategy is consistent with state goals where it does business: New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
By Robert Walton • June 18, 2018
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Sierra Club cries foul over PacifiCorp coal study secrecy
Oregon regulators directed PacifiCorp to review the cost of its coal resources. Now the company wants nondisclosure agreements to review the findings, according to the Sierra Club.
By Robert Walton • June 15, 2018
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LaFleur defies FERC majority, will consider broad climate impacts of pipelines
The Democratic regulator said she will consider all facts in FERC cases on pipelines, "even those overlooked by the majority."
By Gavin Bade • June 14, 2018
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Oklahoma Gas & Electric secures rate recovery for new gas plant
The utility has invested almost $400 million in the 462 MW Mustang Energy Center, but customers will see an overall decline in monthly bills.
By Robert Walton • June 14, 2018
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Vistra will shrink its generating portfolio before growing it, CEO says
At a June 12 analyst meeting, Curtis Morgan also said the company is looking at energy storage opportunities and criticized the Trump Administration's plans to support ailing coal and nuclear plants.
By Peter Maloney • June 14, 2018
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Consumers Energy to file plan for no coal, 43% renewables
The utility seeks to close its Karn coal plant and employ a barrage of grid modernization tools, demand response and efficiency to reduce demand by more than 20%.
By Robert Walton • June 14, 2018
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On the bright side, report finds residential solar won't decline this year
After a 15% decline in 2017, a new report expects solar capacity additions to remain stable this year as customers get harder to find. It's "actually pretty good news," said one analyst.
By Robert Walton • June 13, 2018
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NV Energy 2.3-cent solar contract could set new price record
The utility's proposed power purchase agreement beats an Arizona project that GTM Research previously said was the cheapest solar contract in the nation.
By Gavin Bade • June 13, 2018
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ISO-NE implements 'pay-for-performance' capacity market incentives
The new scheme will provide incentives to reward resources for investments that boost performance during periods of system stress.
By Robert Walton • June 13, 2018
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FERC regulators: No security emergency to justify DOE coal, nuke bailout
All five commissioners stayed silent when a senator asked if they believe security threats mean DOE should subsidize struggling coal and nuclear generators.
By Gavin Bade • June 12, 2018
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EIA: Southern California could face gas constraints this summer
The region is still struggling to deal with reduced capacity at the Aliso Canyon storage facility, almost three years after a massive leak was detected.
By Robert Walton • June 12, 2018
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Activist investors push Sempra to sell renewable assets, focus on utilities and LNG
Elliott Management and Bluescape Resources, 5% owners of Sempra, say their plan could create $11 billion-$16 billion in value.
By Robert Walton • June 11, 2018
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NuScale 'breakthrough' could allow 20% uprate of small nukes
The company says advances in optimization to its small modular reactor design can make them more cost-effective.
By Robert Walton • June 11, 2018