ISO-NE Chief: New England 2 years away from potential supply shortage

New England's heavy gas reliance already puts the region in a precarious spot, but ISO-New England President and CEO Gordon van Welie said the 2017-2018 winter is what most worries him right now.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2016

EIA: Renewables to be 14% of U.S. electricity generation in 2016

Wind should supply 5.2% of U.S. power next year and solar is projected to top 1%. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2016

FERC Order 745 ruling a 'good omen' for Clean Power Plan, say legal experts

How much the justices decide to defer to agency interpretation of the law could be a key factor in a future CPP case.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2016

PJM pushes for consumer protections in AEP plant subsidy case

PJM Interconnection wants assurances that the utility will not intentionally underbid its generation aimed to supress prices if Ohio regulators approve American Electric Power's proposed power purchase agreements to guarantee income for its aging generation. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2016

California regulators warn of electric reliability issues due to Aliso Canyon methane leak

In a letter to California Gov. Jerry Brown (D), three key state energy agencies raised concerns that a persistent natural gas leak could disrupt supply to gas generators, especially those serving the LA Basin.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 3, 2016

Arizona regulators to decide if SunZia power line must guarantee space for renewables

Opponents fear that without restrictions, a line planned to transmit renewable energy will end up carrying gas-generated power.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 3, 2016

Settlement not the end of debate over Duke's Edwardsport coal gasification plant

Environmental groups signed on to a settlement last month limiting operating costs at Duke Energy's Edwardsport coal gasification power plant, but they say nothing precludes them from keeping a close eye on the plant's operations in the future.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2016

Dynegy, NRG Energy ask FERC to step in Ohio plant subsidy cases

Dynegy and NRG Energy have asked federal regulators to rescind a waiver for affiliate power transactions FERC granted to First Energy and American Electric Power.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2016

Should utilities be afraid of Sonnen's new community storage offering?

Community energy storage in the U.S. could ramp up with German storage developer Sonnen's entry into the market.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 2, 2016

Low natural gas prices squeeze New England oil generation

A winter storm spiked demand earlier this month, but year-over-year, the New England ISO reports its oil-fired power generation has taken a tumble.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2016

Oregon utilities back bill for 50% renewables, coal phase-out

Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp are jointly lobbying for a proposal they say will save consumers money while extending the life of some coal generation.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2016

Georgia Power adds 525 MW of renewables in latest IRP

The utility has asked regulators to sign off on more than 500 MW of clean power in their 2016 integrated resource plan (IRP), and said efficiency will help reduce peak demand by almost 2,000 MW.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2016

After SCOTUS decision, exiting FERC member Clark pushes for review of DR compensation

"As it so often is, it is about the money," FERC Commissioner Tony Clark wrote in a response to the Supreme Court's decision on Order 745 and the commission's jurisdiction over demand response.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2016

Wind industry added 5 GW capacity in Q4 2015 with 75% of contracts to non-utility customers

The wind energy industry now has nearly 74.5 GW of cumulative installed capacity in the United States. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 29, 2016

NC regulator pushes for solar limits, new nuclear incentives

The renewable energy industry is booming, but Secretary of Environmental Quality Donald van der Vaart wants North Carolina to consider limits on solar farms and incentives for new nuclear generation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

EIA: Natural gas topped coal for fifth consecutive month in November

Before 2015, gas-fired generation had never exceeded coal. But last year, gas came out on top in at least six months and December data are still pending.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

Entergy says proposed New York nuclear plan too late to save FitzPatrick plant

New York is racing to find ways for nuclear generators to continue operating, but Entergy told Bloomberg Business that “whatever this proposal may turn out to be, it would not be in place in time."

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

ConEd creates new subsidiary for electric and gas transmission

Just last week the company's new subsidiary, Consolidated Edison Transmission, LLC, announcd it had acquired 12.5% of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2016

ISO-NE chief: Winter leaves gas-reliant New England in 'precarious' spot

Last year, the New England ISO got almost half its power from gas-fired generation — up from 15% in 2000, and more than any other fuel source in the region.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2016

Rebuffed by DC Circuit, CPP opponents appeal to Supreme Court for stay on carbon rules

The expedited hearing schedule set last week by the D.C. Circuit Court won't be fast enough to prevent "irreparable harms" to states, the critics argue.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2016

New Jersey Gov. Christie vetoes offshore wind bill

The bill, sent back to the legislature without Christie's signature, would have pushed regultors to reconsider smaller offshore wind energy applications. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

In PURPA ruling, FERC says Entergy not obligated to buy from large QFs

Federal regulators ruled Entergy does not need to purchase power from most qualifying facilities over 20 MW, saying MISO already affords them the "nondiscriminatory access" to power markets envisioned by the law. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

New York regulators propose nuclear power mandate in new clean energy plan

Utilities will need to procure almost 16% of their power from nuclear sources in New York by 2020 under a proposal to save the state's carbon-free generators.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2016

Kentucky pursues Clean Power Plan extension, but plans to keep fighting regulation

The announcement is significant because the state had previously it would not play ball with the new carbon regulations, but requesting an extension means states must demonstrate progress on a plan.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2016

National Grid pursues approval for long-term natural gas capacity contracts

The utility has asked Massachusetts regulators for authorization to sign long-term fuels supply contracts, which it says could save customers billions of dollars.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2016