ISO-NE to focus on market solutions for winter energy security in 2019

ISO New England is considering an "interim compensation treatment for periods associated with reliability reviews for fuel security," the grid operator says in its 2019 Annual Work Plan.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2018

Report: As EPA rewrites mercury rules, new cost-benefit approach could curtail future regulations

The proposed rewrite of Obama-era pollution standards does not consider "co-benefits," The New York Times reports, which could set a precedent for less stringent emissions rules in the future. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 1, 2018

DOE moves to slash cost of carbon capture for coal-fired power plants

The White House is not letting up on its efforts to turn around the decline of coal-fired power plants, allocating $30 million for research into carbon dioxide capture technologies.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2018

Federal court again upholds state nuclear subsidies, this time in New York

The decision is the second in a month affirming state clean energy policies and boosts pressure on FERC to decide how it will treat the subsidized resources. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 28, 2018

'Not your grandma's DER': Distributed resources modernize, prove value to grid

Portfolios of DER are finally operating and showing how customer-sited resources can be of great value to utilities and system operators.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 27, 2018

Judge approves $850M FirstEnergy payment to bankrupt generation subsidiary

Environmental Defense Fund wants to ensure the payment to FirstEnergy Solutions goes toward the cost of remediating the coal and nuclear plants the company plans to close.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 27, 2018

Columbia Gas explosions prompt Massachusetts to hire gas system evaluator

The safety assessment follows a series of explosions in Northern Massachusetts earlier this month that killed one person and set fire to more than 70 homes.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2018

Generators pan ISO-NE price taker proposal for fuel secure plants

The ISO-NE proposal to prop up plants with onsite fuel supplies would cause "massive suppression of prices" and displace more than a gigawatt of otherwise economic resources, critics wrote in comments. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2018

Vogtle nuclear plant owners agree to continue construction

The decision to keep building the sole nuclear project under construction in the U.S. is a win for lead owner Southern Co. and a boon for the fragile domestic nuclear sector. 

By Gavin Bade • Updated Sept. 26, 2018

NuScale sees 'pivotal' step in selecting manufacturer for small modular reactor

Completing more of the construction work off-site — one of the benefits of so-called small modular reactors —​ was one recommendation from a recent report on the nuclear industry by the MIT Energy Initiative.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2018

TVA not violating Clean Water Act at Gallatin coal ash pond, 6th Circuit rules

Coal ash in unlined pits may be seeping into groundwater, but the court concluded the Clean Water Act is not the proper vehicle to address the issue.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2018

Vogtle nuke deadline extended again to 5 p.m.

The owners faced a Tuesday deadline to agree on cost-sharing terms for the plant, but extended their negotiation period three times.

By Gavin Bade , Peter Maloney • Updated Sept. 25, 2018

Dominion to sell its stakes in 3 merchant plants for $1.3B

Despite the decision to sell two gas plants, Dominion retains a strong commitment to the resource for its future generating portfolio.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2018

How FERC can protect customers and respect state energy policy authority in its PJM capacity market proceeding

FERC's PJM capacity market order must be implemented in a way that preserves the authority of the 13 states and D.C. to pursue clean energy and protects customers from billions in higher utility bills.

By Ann McCabe and Miles Farmer • Sept. 25, 2018

AEP to retire Oklaunion coal plant due to renewables, gas competition

The retirement is another indication that President Trump's efforts to revive domestic coal generation are losing out to market forces.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 25, 2018

Oglethorpe, MEAG vote to move forward with Vogtle nuclear project

Oglethorpe Power cast a late vote in favor of Vogtle, but with conditions.

By Peter Maloney • Updated Sept. 24, 2018

DOE urges Vogtle nuke owners to complete project ahead of Monday vote

Canceling the plant expansion would have a "profound impact on the U.S. nuclear industry" and trigger the repayment of billions in federal loans, DOE warned.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 24, 2018

ISO-NE asks FERC to cancel capacity contract with Invenergy, putting plant at risk

The grid operator says the 900 MW Clear River Energy Center won't be built in time to deliver the power it committed. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 24, 2018

NiSource subsidiary announces plan to end coal use within 10 years

The company is still determining how to replace the plants, but said right now the most viable options "are renewable energy resources, with the combination of battery storage technology."

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2018

Duke shuts down gas plant after Florence flooding breaches coal ash pit

Environmental groups collected samples of what they believe to be coal ash from a nearby river, though the utility maintains there is no discernable harm downstream. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Sept. 24, 2018

Outage at Exelon's Mystic plant drove tight ISO-NE Labor Day conditions

The unplanned event, caused by a power line fault, highlights the issues at stake in debates over fuel security in New England and grid resilience at FERC. 

By Gavin Bade • Updated Sept. 21, 2018

Navajo Generating Station buyer backs out, putting coal plant future in doubt

The largest coal plant west of the Mississippi could close next year unless a new buyer is found. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2018

Trouble in Texas causes shutdown of advanced GE turbine

One of the most advanced gas turbine engines on the market, GE's 7HA, is experiencing serious problems.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 21, 2018

RES Americas cancels 600 MW wind project in Indiana

In rural areas, turbine setback requirements and property rights can collide to the detriment of developers' plans.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 20, 2018

Clean energy groups outline principles for PJM capacity market reform

The document shows how groups that benefit from state energy policies would like to see capacity rules rewritten in the largest U.S. wholesale power market. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 19, 2018