California PUC rejects PG&E plan to spin off 5.6 GW in non-nuclear assets

PG&E failed to show the proposed transaction meets “even the minimal public interest standard,” the PUC said in its decision.

By Ethan Howland • May 10, 2024

23 states, rural co-ops sue EPA over ‘unlawful, unreasonable’ power plant rules

“This rule intentionally sets impossible standards to destroy the coal industry,” North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Thursday.

By Robert Walton • May 9, 2024

Clean energy, gas generation in PJM may take longer to come online than expected: report

“Absent significant reforms or market innovations, most projects entering PJM’s queue today are unlikely to come online before 2030,” the report’s authors said.

By Ethan Howland • May 9, 2024

BWX Technologies sees durable demand for large nuclear components and SMRs: CEO

On a Monday earnings call, the nuclear components supplier provided updates on a planned manufacturing plant expansion, longer-term demand for small modular reactors and more.

By Brian Martucci • May 8, 2024

Congress passes Russian uranium import ban, unlocking $2.7B to expand US nuclear fuel production

The money includes funding for high-assay low-enriched uranium, which is needed for certain advanced nuclear reactor designs.

By Brian Martucci • May 6, 2024

VPPs could boost utilities’ credit profiles, but it’s ‘premature’ to consider impact: Morningstar DBRS

Though obstacles are impeding virtual power plants in the short term, the technology will be a plus for utilities and for reliability in the long run, the credit rating company predicts.

By Brian Martucci • May 6, 2024

Replacing a Talen Energy coal-fired power plant with battery storage is infeasible: PJM

A Sierra Club proposal that aims to avoid a reliability must-run contract for the 1,280-MW Brandon Shores plant in Maryland is unworkable, the PJM Interconnection found.

By Ethan Howland • Updated May 6, 2024

GE Vernova to remain ‘highly selective’ of offshore wind orders amid uncertainty: CEO

In its first quarterly earnings report since becoming an independent company, the power equipment manufacturer contrasted recent wind challenges with near-term optimism for its gas power and electrification business lines.

By Brian Martucci • May 1, 2024

PSEG in talks to sell nuclear power to data centers: CEO LaRossa

“Our New Jersey nuclear units could provide access to a highly reliable, carbon-free source of baseload power,” PSEG CEO Ralph LaRossa said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • May 1, 2024

AEP faces 15 GW of new load, driven by Amazon, Google, other data centers: interim CEO Fowke

Load growth in Ohio is sparking talk of letting the state’s utilities own power plants again, Ben Fowke, AEP interim CEO, said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • May 1, 2024

International, domestic energy policies should embrace gas as transition fuel: EFI report

Natural gas exports from the United States help to support energy security, equity and sustainability around the globe, said EFI Foundation CEO Ernest Moniz, who served as U.S. Secretary of Energy under President Obama.

By Robert Walton • May 1, 2024

SPP Markets+ Western market plan sparks support, protest and concerns

Arizona Public Service, Public Service Co. of Colorado, Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power and a public power trade group urged FERC to approve the day-ahead market.

By Ethan Howland • April 30, 2024

Coal-to-nuclear transition would benefit dozens of US regions: NASEO-NARUC report

The authors cited data from the Energy Department, the Bipartisan Policy Center and other sources showing the economic and operational benefits, including up to 35% lower construction costs for small modular reactors.

By Brian Martucci • April 29, 2024

MISO capacity prices triple for next summer, spring, partly on power plant retirements

Prices for Ameren Missouri and Columbia, Missouri’s municipal utility jumped to nearly $720/MW-day for the upcoming fall and spring seasons due to expected power supply shortages.

By Ethan Howland • April 26, 2024

NRC proposes streamlined environmental reviews for new reactor license applications

If finalized, the proposed rule would apply to any future fission reactor application and could reduce environmental review costs by up to 45%, Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff found.

By Brian Martucci • April 25, 2024

EPA finalizes power plant emission rules, but utilities balk at expected need for carbon capture

Electric utilities called the power plant rules “disappointing” and “unlawful” and say the rules will create reliability and affordability challenges.

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2024

PG&E highlights 100% emissions-free power in 2023 as generation spin-off hits snag

California regulators could vote in May on a proposal to reject Pacific Gas & Electric’s plan to create a separate company with 5.6 GW in non-nuclear generating assets as part of an effort to raise capital.

By Ethan Howland • April 24, 2024

ERCOT launches new planning efforts as 2030 load growth projections soar 40 GW in a year

The growth is being fueled by a range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, data centers, industrial electrification, hydrogen and electric vehicles, said ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas.

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2024

Energy storage for grid reliability can increase carbon emissions: University of Michigan study

Energy storage is often pitched as a way to make renewables more reliable and reduce the use of planet-warming fuels, but researchers at the University of Michigan found that it can encourage the use of coal over gas.

By Patrick Cooley • April 23, 2024

APS, others plan 1-year delay in fines for Western Resource Adequacy Program capacity shortfalls

Supply chain problems, unexpected load growth and extreme weather are challenging efforts to ensure adequate power supplies in the West, according to Avista, Calpine and other program participants.

By Ethan Howland • April 23, 2024

Fusion will beat advanced fission to the grid: Type One Energy CEO

“This is coming sooner than you think,” said Commonwealth Fusion Systems Chief Commercial Officer Rick Needham, who spoke alongside Type One CEO Chris Mowry at the BNEF Summit in New York last week.

By Brian Martucci • April 22, 2024

Congressional Democrats press Treasury for ‘well-functioning’ 45U nuclear tax credit

Six House Democrats urged Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to adopt flexible guidance for the Inflation Reduction Act credit, which benefits existing nuclear power facilities.

By Brian Martucci • April 19, 2024

Democratic bill mandates FERC interconnection reforms to bring new resources online faster

The bill would help bring new power supply online to address surging demand growth and increasing grid reliability concerns, according to the R Street Institute’s Devin Hartman.

By Ethan Howland • April 18, 2024

DOE issues road map for speeding, improving grid interconnections to unlock 2.6-TW backlog

“There is unlikely to be any document for years to come reflecting such a comprehensive set of [interconnection] solutions,” said Tyler Norris, former head of development at Cypress Creek Renewables.

By Ethan Howland • April 18, 2024

DOE cites cost, reliability concerns for new gas plants as it details how to meet surging power demand

Rising electricity demand will require a portfolio of resources, including energy storage, hydropower, nuclear, grid-enhancing technologies and demand-side management, DOE said.

By Robert Walton • April 18, 2024