Generation
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Georgia bill would require companies to treat coal ash like municipal solid waste
The proposed legislation would impose stricter regulations on coal ash cleanup, requiring landfills holding the waste to have bottom liners and leachate collection systems.
By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 17, 2020 -
California launches rulemaking to manage transition away from natural gas
The California Public Utilities Commission will look into updating current reliability standards, as well as long-term contracting and tariff change rules.
By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 17, 2020 -
US hit record $55.5B renewables investments in 2019
A slow start to 2019 ended with a flurry of offshore and onshore wind investments led by the U.S., China and Europe.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 17, 2020 -
Deep Dive2020 Outlook: US renewable resources on steady course for increased deployment
"In 2020, there’s sort of a 'come on in, the water's warm' element of excitement and momentum" around renewable energy procurement, one analyst said.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 16, 2020 -
Indiana bill would require Trump administration blessing to retire coal early
The bill would prevent utilities from retiring plants early or otherwise decreasing operations unless explicitly directed by the federal government, not counting the Environmental Protection Agency.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 16, 2020 -
Tri-State announces major renewables shift with 1 GW in new projects, but questions remain
Tri-State announced a total of six new wind and solar projects and a forecast of 50% renewables use by its members by 2024, along with plans to abandon a proposed coal plant in Kansas.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 16, 2020 -
BLM OKs $1B California desert solar project praised for balanced approach amid ongoing controversy
The Natural Resources Defense Council said the 450 MW project balanced solar development and natural resource protection, but a potential federal update to a California desert energy plan remains a point of contention.
By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 16, 2020 -
Wind + solar expected to add 61 GW over next two years: EIA
Renewable energy is expected to grow quickly alongside steady natural gas growth as more capacity is needed to replace retiring coal.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020 -
Early utility regulator retirement gives Wisconsin opportunity to move on third party solar impasse
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a renewable energy proponent, will have the chance to shift the state's utility regulatory body toward his agenda after Commissioner Mike Huebsch's early retirement.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020 -
OpinionAsh ponds: Keep calm and close in place
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to closing coal ash ponds, the author writes, cautioning against jumping to preordained conclusions on how to address the coal generation byproduct.
By Steven A. Burns is a partner at Balch & Bingham, LLP as part of the Environmental and Natural Resources practice. • Jan. 15, 2020 -
Water scarcity accelerates plans to close Xcel's Tolk coal plant by a decade
Xcel Energy subsidiary Southwestern Public Service plans to submit an analysis on the plant's abandonment and replacement options by 2021.
By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 15, 2020 -
Deep Dive2020 outlook: Natural gas faces regulatory, environmental scrutiny but still wants role in carbon-free grid
Aggressive natural gas investments in recent years may bring the sector to its tipping point. But some stakeholders say the fuel still has an important role to play in a decarbonized future.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020 -
OpinionWill deep decarbonization include nuclear? Possibly, with many caveats
Nuclear has a potential role in a low carbon future only if it is guaranteed to deliver electricity at a levelized cost under $0.076/kWh, the author writes.
By Levin Nock • Jan. 14, 2020 -
Deep Dive2020 Outlook: Coal faces headwinds from aging plants, adverse market signals and high remediation costs
Despite persistent economic challenges, the coal industry continues to fight to preserve its place in the U.S. energy mix.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 14, 2020 -
Kansas considering securitization for aging coal plants, but caution urged
Is "securitization fever" catching on in Kansas?
By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 14, 2020 -
Deep Dive2020 Outlook: 10 trends driving the US power sector
From utilities to states to grid operators, the energy transformation is accelerating, but significant challenges remain.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 13, 2020 -
'Most dangerous and capable' hacking group now targeting electric sector, Dragos report finds
There is an increasing threat of supply chain and third-party attacks, according to the cybersecurity firm. Experts say patching vulnerabilities will not be easy.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2020 -
Tri-State to shut New Mexico, Colorado coal plants by 2030, but move may not satisfy unhappy members
While environmental advocates called it "a step in the right direction," they said Tri State's plan does not fully address concerns about energy prices and the ability of members to develop local renewable resources.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2020 -
SWEPCO settles with Sierra Club to plan 650 MW coal plant retirement by 2026
Closure of the Dolet Hills coal plant would mark the 300th retirement targeted by Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, and advocates say shuttering the facility will save customers over $60 million annually.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 09, 2020 -
4th Circuit nixes key permit for Dominion's Atlantic Coast Pipeline, citing environmental justice concerns
A three-judge panel vacated a necessary air quality permit for a new compressor station, concluding the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board failed to adequately consider impacts on nearby communities.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 08, 2020 -
Xcel Minnesota: Running coal seasonally will save customers millions, reduce emissions
Clean energy advocates say economic and environmental savings could be replicated nationwide if utilities were to take similar steps.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 08, 2020 -
Reduced coal generation drove power sector greenhouse emissions down 10% in 2019, report says
Meanwhile, coal plant retirements between 2005 and 2016 saved an estimated 26,610 lives, 570 million bushels of crops and had significant climate impacts, another study found.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 08, 2020 -
PJM: Electric vehicles could boost load 1.5 GW by 2035
One industry group says the forecast is likely too modest, as the addition of a plug-in vehicle can nearly double a household's electric consumption and adoption is expected to rise rapidly.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 07, 2020 -
South Carolina raises rates Dominion must pay to solar providers, reversing earlier decision
Dominion would have paid some of the lowest avoided cost rates in the country, according to clean energy groups, and the new decision is more consistent with directives under the state's Energy Freedom Act.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 07, 2020 -
OpinionFERC's clean energy boycott distorts PJM prices and discards history
The new rules approved for PJM's capacity auction will force the grid operator to buy more capacity than it needs to keep the lights on, according to Harvard energy lawyer Ari Peskoe.
By Ari Peskoe • Jan. 07, 2020
