New England grid operator, market participants divided over how to improve region's energy security

A growing reliance on gas and renewable generation has left the New England power grid vulnerable to supply losses during cold snaps.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2020

Report: Natural gas is a loser for long-term utility shareholder value

A new report makes the case that investors need to see new natural gas infrastructure as stranded assets.

By Matthew Bandyk • April 20, 2020

The effects of coronavirus measures on electricity markets

Economic outcomes and investment decisions in the next 18 to 24 months could reshape electricity markets for decades, the authors write.

By Alex Gilbert and Morgan Bazilian • April 20, 2020

EPA rejects legal basis for MATS, drawing widespread objections, concerns over future air rule impacts

The electric power industry has already spent over $18 billion to comply with the agency's rules, and would prefer to have regulatory certainty, says a utility trade group.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 17, 2020

'Just plain garbage,' FERC's Glick says as commission largely upholds its PJM MOPR decision

FERC denied requests for rehearing on its December order, while clarifying two exceptions. It also rejected requests to review its 2019 order approving PJM’s capacity demand curve, which critics say is too high.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 16, 2020

NextEra, Vistra join array of stakeholders in asking FERC to look at carbon pricing

Industry leaders say carbon pricing could provide a more consistent federal policy across territories than the varying carbon reduction goals set by states.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 16, 2020

Legal experts, NGOs blast EPA move on air quality standards after higher pollution linked to COVID-19 deaths

The agency finalized rules Monday keeping particulate matter standards the same. "To whom does Wheeler answer when he makes life or death determinations?" one legal expert asked when the rule was proposed.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Dec. 8, 2020

Increasing renewables and DER demand new reliability approach, but California is falling short, groups say

Resource adequacy's planning reserve margin worked when supply and load were stable, but new system realities demand a more dynamic approach to protect reliability, emerging power providers and DER advocacy groups say.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2020

EPA rule change to save 4 coal plants across Pennsylvania, West Virginia

"This seems like a relatively low stakes act, in terms of the actual effect it will have on the environment," one professor noted, adding the move was likely made "to score some political points in Pennsylvania."

By Catherine Morehouse • April 14, 2020

US power sector GHGs projected to fall 7.5% in 2020 amid record drop in global emissions

Overall U.S. emissions rose slightly in 2018, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's latest numbers, released Monday, but the broader trend is still downward, according to Administrator Andrew Wheeler.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 14, 2020

Colorado cooperative reaches $136.5M agreement to exit Tri-State service

Delta-Montrose Electric Association will terminate its membership in Tri-State Generation and Transmission on June 30, as other utilities continue their efforts to follow suit.

By Robert Walton • Updated July 1, 2020

'No existing playbook': COVID-19 forcing NV Energy, NYPA and other utilities to get creative

Utilities are adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic, from deferring infrastructure projects to transitioning different positions to 'work from home,' several executives said on a panel last week.

By Matthew Bandyk • April 13, 2020

Higher air pollution linked to coronavirus deaths, Harvard study finds

The university is the first to make an explicit connection between air pollution and COVID-19 deaths in the United States.

By Chris Teale • April 13, 2020

Clearer picture of coronavirus-driven grid load declines emerges in US after weeks of lockdowns

Analysts say the COVID-19 pandemic could disrupt North American power markets for 18 months or more, potentially setting off a new wave of coal retirements. 

By Robert Walton • April 9, 2020

Southwest Generation purchase of Xcel gas plant to raise JPMorgan affiliation question again at FERC

JPMorgan's legal relationship with the $12 billion Infrastructure Investments Fund was first raised during the sale of El Paso Electric.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 9, 2020

Utilities move to delay rate case proceedings during pandemic

In New York, regulators are approving deferrals from three to five months, extending how long utilities must wait to recover costs on their investments.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 8, 2020

NextEra mulls bid for Evergy amid market volatility, may face competing offers from AEP, Ameren: Report

NextEra continues to show interest in purchasing an electric utility after JEA's board of directors in 2019 rejected its bid and several others to buy the municipal utility.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 8, 2020

Xcel sells 720 MW gas plant less than 3 months after purchasing through unregulated subsidiary

The company's rapid turnaround is in response to shareholders who preferred the utility remain fully regulated.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 7, 2020

Dominion prepares to file Virginia IRP without natural gas buildout

The utility reacted to new clean energy state laws by renouncing plans to build out gas-fired and nuclear generation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 6, 2020

Pelosi steps back on infrastructure push as renewables industry vies for aid

Clean energy advocates say there are still avenues for power sector relief from the federal government, including critical project deadline extensions.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 6, 2020

BlackRock, Morgan Stanley to utilities: Tackle climate-related risks or lose market value

Analyst research shows utilities that address climate-related physical and transition risks earn higher valuations from investors.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2020

Con Edison reaches 170 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths, as risks rise for utility workers

Daily numbers continue climbing for the utility whose workforce serves New York City, the area that faces the largest outbreak of the novel coronavirus. U.S. utility workers may be at risk of contracting the virus from continued customer interactions.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 3, 2020

California proposes PG&E, SCE as central procurement agencies, but CCAs have doubts

The system would help create an effective portfolio of local resources, reduce the need for backstop procurement and allocate costs equitably, the CPUC said.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 1, 2020

When will the US get 1 GW of offshore wind on the grid?

Two analyses foresee the U.S. reaching the offshore wind milestone by 2024, but disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic and continued federal inaction on permitting could create delays.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 31, 2020

Nuclear regulators ease some power reactor regs in response to COVID-19

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued guidance for plant operators on how to safely operate with workforces reduced by the coronavirus.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 31, 2020