Generation
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CAISO: Changes to RMR procurement could keep generators from gaming the system
The changes would aim to properly incentivize load serving entities and supply resources to meet the California ISO's reliability needs.
By Robert Walton • March 22, 2019 -
Plant bailout back on tap as Perry, coal interests reportedly derail FERC nomination
After months of lying dormant, discussion about a plant bailout in Washington this week may indicate the White House is preparing another effort to save retiring generators.
By Gavin Bade • March 20, 2019 -
Nevada legislators introduce 100% carbon-free bill, with provision to include all energy providers
The legislation also mandates a 50% renewable portfolio standard, which voters in the state preliminarily approved as a ballot initiative in November.
By Catherine Morehouse • March 20, 2019 -
Deep DiveAs first US utility-scale offshore wind project nears approval, supply chain, permitting come into focus
Despite a lack of domestic components and a complex permitting process, Vineyard Wind is confident in its ability to move forward this summer with construction of its 800 MW project off the coast of Massachusetts.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 18, 2019 -
OpinionSteel-for-fuel, data-for-fuel, and other good ideas for asset retirement
Balanced, collaborative and innovative stakeholder processes can help regulators align securitization of obsolete power plants with the public interest.
By Carl Linvill and Megan O’Reilly • March 18, 2019 -
Dominion strikes deadline day utility deal to keep Millstone nuke operating
The company warned that New England's sole nuclear generator could retire if a contract for its output was not signed by March 15.
By Gavin Bade • March 15, 2019 -
Market Monitor: 3 GW nukes, 12 GW coal uneconomic in PJM
The only nuclear plants receiving market signals to retire are one-unit generators, Monitoring Analytics said, and the only one to recieve a state subsidy "did not need" it.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 15, 2019 -
Chatterjee: Transmission could be resilience docket solution
The FERC chairman's remarks at CERAWeek represent a shift from past emphasis on generator fuel supplies in the resilience debate.
By Gavin Bade • March 14, 2019 -
FPL proposes country's largest community solar project at 1,490 MW
If approved by Florida regulators, the project would more than double U.S. community solar capacity, currently at 1,387 MW.
By Catherine Morehouse • March 14, 2019 -
Deep DiveAs US solar expands, states increasingly tackle compensation and community project complexities
Years of debate by "nerds in beige rooms" has led to today's booming solar market, but solar policy is becoming even more complicated.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 14, 2019 -
McNamee still mulling resilience docket recusal
In his first comments to the press since his confirmation, the Republican regulator said he is working with ethics officials to determine if the resilience docket too closely resembles a plant bailout plan he crafted in 2017.
By Gavin Bade • March 14, 2019 -
Perry says federal coal and nuke bailout not dead, but encourages states to act
The Secretary of Energy supports "thoughtful" state subsidy programs, but said he was not aware of discussions in Pennsylvania, where a lawmaker says DOE staff told him a federal bailout was not forthcoming.
By Gavin Bade • March 14, 2019 -
NYSERDA targets retail and bulk storage incentives as state aims for 3 GW by 2030
The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority's plan allocates $130 million and $150 million to the retail and bulk storage markets, respectively.
By Catherine Morehouse • March 13, 2019 -
Three's company: New Mexico joins California, Hawaii in approving 100% clean energy mandate
The bill requires the state to phase out all natural gas and coal-fired plants by 2045, signifying a major shift in energy priorities since a new governor and a new crop of legislators took office in January.
By Catherine Morehouse • March 13, 2019 -
Kansas City, Missouri, pledges carbon-free government by next year
The city council voted unanimously to get its electricity from renewable sources, develop a community solar farm and buy more electric vehicles.
By Chris Teale • March 13, 2019 -
Federal court denies FERC jurisdiction in PG&E bankruptcy case
FERC asserted it had "concurrent jurisdiction" and could prevent power contracts from being altered as part of PG&E's bankruptcy proceeding.
By Gavin Bade • March 13, 2019 -
Pennsylvania lawmaker: State crafted nuke subsidy bill after DOE said not to wait for bailout
The new bill to provide financial support to the state's nine nuclear plants is part of a trend of states taking the lead on premature retirements in the face of inaction from the federal government.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 12, 2019 -
PJM pushes FERC to act on capacity market rules, citing 'uncertainty' and 'confusion'
Until FERC approves a replacement for the capacity market design it threw out last year, PJM said it is directing market participants to prepare for an upcoming auction under both sets of rules.
By Gavin Bade • March 12, 2019 -
Duke defends IRP as greens push North Carolina regulators to reassess
Consumer and environmental advocates say the utility's 15-year plan in North Carolina is too expensive and doesn't do enough to eliminate fossil fuels.
By Robert Walton • March 11, 2019 -
Dominion faces March 15 deadline to secure utility contracts for Millstone nuke
The plant owner has been negotiating with Eversource and United Illuminating to secure higher priced power purchase agreements, according to local news reports.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 08, 2019 -
ISO-NE forecasts transition to distributed, renewable generation
The grid operator released its 2019 Regional Electricity Outlook last week, listing natural gas plants as the only new conventional generation resource expected online between 2018 and 2020.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 07, 2019 -
Oregon OKs dual PGE approach to procure renewables for business customers
Portland General Electric's clean energy offerings are part of a wave of creative Power Purchase Agreement tariffs utilities are offering to corporate and municipal customers.
By Robert Walton • March 07, 2019 -
Efficiency leads 2019 energy job growth prospects
Energy efficiency employers project a 7.8% growth rate for jobs this year, more than double the increase last year, in what the latest U.S. Energy and Employment Report deemed the "toughest hiring climate."
By Robert Walton • March 07, 2019 -
Podcast
EPS Ep. 8: 'The coal bailout no one is talking about' with Joe Daniel of UCS
Customers are subsidizing coal plants with more than a billion dollars a year, the Union of Concerned Scientists analyst says, thanks to market rules that allow monopoly-owned plants to choose when they generate electricity.
By Gavin Bade • March 06, 2019 -
ERCOT sees increased chance for emergency capacity with record demand forecast this summer
The grid operator's preliminary summer analysis of extreme scenarios indicates ERCOT may need to issue energy alerts, but does not expect to use rolling brownouts.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 06, 2019
