Chatterjee pans 'hyperbolic' reaction to his interim NOPR pitch

Chatterjee said his temporary plan means "we've moved past" debating the DOE NOPR, and that many critics of his proposal "frankly don't understand it."

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 16, 2017

US eyes safety rules for small modular reactors, as nuclear touted at UN climate meeting

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has released a regulatory basis document supporting new rules to tackle emergency preparedness requirements for small modular reactors.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2017

PJM price formation proposal would dramatically change how prices are set in the RTO

A proposal from the grid operator to incentivize "inflexible" generation could fit squarely within the Trump administration's efforts to save baseload generation in power markets.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2017

PPL Corp. to shutter 2 older coal-fired units in Kentucky

Following the closure, Kentucky Utilities and Louisville Gas and Electric Co. will have mothballed eight coal-fired units in about five years.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2017

EPA: 85% of US counties meet latest ozone standards, but other designations delayed

The agency has concluded that 2,646 counties, two tribal areas and five territories meet the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for the pollutant.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2017

Exclusive: Chatterjee details interim plan to save coal, nuclear plants

The acting FERC chairman wants RTOs and ISOs to update their tariffs to keep coal and nuclear plants online as his commission considers broader changes to wholesale market compensation. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 15, 2017

NERC: Growing gas reliance demands new planning strategies

A new report calls for regulators to consider fuel diversity as they evaluate electric system plans and establish energy policy objectives. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2017

GE refocuses on power sector as a core business in new turnaround plan

The company's stock took a pounding in the wake of its investor update, with its performance hurt by slow power sector sales.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 15, 2017

CPUC: California utilities could hit 50% renewables by 2020

California requires investor-owned utilities to procure half of their power mix from renewables by 2030. All three of the state's major IOUs are tracking ahead of that goal.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2017

FERC storage/DER integration proposal gets high marks, but other priorities loom

The commission’s proposed rule raises important issues, but could face delays as it tackles the grid resilience NOPR and other matters.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 14, 2017

Industry group says more than 2k CCS plants needed to meet Paris climate goals

The Global CCS Institute believes that when the full-lifecycle of projects is considered, carbon capture and sequestration can compete with the falling cost of renewables.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 14, 2017

As feds focus on baseload, grid modernization is sweeping the nation

More than 30 states are considering far-reaching modernization and utility business model reforms, including new initiatives to integrate battery storage into grid planning processes. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 14, 2017

DOE confident FERC will 'dutifully' finalize a price formation rule, senior advisor says

Sean Cunningham, head of the DOE's Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis, told the NARUC annual conference that baseload power should be "revived, not reviled" in the U.S.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 14, 2017

Dominion Virginia to pursue relicensing of North Anna nuke

Earlier this year, the company paused expansion plans at the facility in the wake of the Westinghouse Electric bankruptcy. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 14, 2017

South Carolina lawmakers aim to reform utility regulatory model in wake of V.C. Summer disaster

Lawmakers in the state House of Representatives filed a suite of bills, including one that would authorize SCANA, one of the V.C. Summer owners, to give ratepayers a refund. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 13, 2017

US states, businesses highlight climate efforts at UN meeting in Bonn

"There is nothing Washington can do to stop us," former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said of the efforts.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2017

Bloomberg: Duke to spend $200M converting North Carolina coal units to gas

The Belews Creek coal-fired plant will be converted to enable a 50-50 mix of gas and coal, according to CEO Lynn Good.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2017

Rhode Island lays out strategy for grid modernization

Gov. Gina Raimondo has directed the Public Utilities Commission and other agencies to develop a more dynamic regulatory framework aimed at advancing cleaner, affordable and reliable energy.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2017

Peabody-funded study finds Navajo coal plant needed for grid reliability

The coal mining company has previously offered to supply the Navajo Generating Station in Arizona with lower-cost coal in an effort to keep it running. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2017

Virginia regulators set to unveil new climate plan after Northam victory

With Democratic control of the governor's mansion confirmed, state regulators unveiled a plan to cut carbon emissions and join a regional cap-and-trade program this week.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2017

Chatterjee working on 'interim step' to save coal while FERC considers DOE NOPR

The plan echoes comments filed by coal generator FirstEnergy, and Chatterjee said he has met with the company's CEO to discuss its "thoughtful" proposal. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 9, 2017

National Grid plans to install a 48 MWh battery storage system on Nantucket

The Massachusetts island is currently experiencing a rise in power demand and aging diesel generators, which provide partial backup power. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 9, 2017

House acts to boost hydro, simplify licensing process

Lawmakers say the complexities of hydropower licensing have created significant barriers that prevent investments in the resource.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2017

Reports: NextEra leading contender to buy Santee Cooper

Duke, Southern and Dominion are also reportedly lining up offers for the South Carolina public utility, put up for sale after the abandonment of the V.C. Summer nuclear reactor. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 9, 2017

California draft order cuts PG&E's proposed Diablo Canyon retirement recovery rates

The state's Public Utilities Commission slashed the utility's request to recover $1.76 billion in costs to retire Diablo Canyon nuclear facility to $190.4 million, potentially hurting plans to replace it with carbon-free resources.  

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2017