MISO integrates first solar project into its wholesale market

The Midcontinent ISO has many solar arrays, but only North Star is currently participating in its wholesale market.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 21, 2016

How Microsoft and a Wyoming utility designed a data center tariff that works for everyone

Collaboration on corporate rate design makes Black Hills Energy "a banner for what utilities should be," but work remains to be done on renewables procurement. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 20, 2016

Renewables challenge natural gas plants on price in latest Lazard analysis

Wind and solar are now well within the cost range of combined cycle plants, but still need generators or storage to support them on the grid.  

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 20, 2016

EPA withdraws draft carbon trading model from agency review

But the draft trading rules will be available to the public, giving a glimpse of how the CPP might have worked. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2016

NextEra poised to operate 16.2 MW battery storage at Maine oil plant

The 16.2-MW project has a direct connection to the New England grid.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2016

Second time the charm? Washington Gov. Inslee proposes new $25 carbon tax in budget

Voters rejected a carbon tax in last month's election, but the governor included a similar proposal in a draft of the state's two-year budget plan. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2016

Greens protest Portland General Electric's plans to replace retired coal unit with natural gas

Environmental groups say the retrofit violates the spirit of a plan approved earlier this year to end fossil fuel use.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2016

Sky's the limit? Reducing wind energy costs through increased turbine size

A new Berkeley Lab study shows significant potential for further turbine scaling, write LBNL researchers. 

By Ryan Wiser, Joachim Seel, Bentham Paulos, Maureen Hand • Dec. 19, 2016

Proposed Massachusetts air regulations target 80% decarbonization by 2050

The new rules would require utilities to source 80% of their power from non-emitting resources by midcentury and limit GHGs from transport and fossil fuel extraction.

By Robert Walton, Gavin Bade • Dec. 19, 2016

Trump election throws wrench in California ISO plan for western power market

State leaders across the region want to see Trump's energy priorities before forging on toward a full ISO.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2016

Strange rumblings at PowerGen: Coal use could persist

New technologies and looser regulations could help coal, attendees at PowerGen said last week, but many utilities have already made other generation plans.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2016

Two dozen states ask Trump to scrap Clean Power Plan on Day 1

It was a campaign promise of President-elect Donald Trump. Now 24 states want him to act on his first day in office.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2016

FERC proposes changes to large generator interconnection process

The Commission's notice focuses on large plants but also asks whether it could be expanded to distributed energy. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 19, 2016

Did coal ash disputes lay the foundation for North Carolina power grab?

A new law that strips some powers from an incoming Democratic governor could have its origins in coal ash power tussles, according to a local report. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2016

Down to the wire, Michigan passes sweeping renewable energy, retail choice reforms

After a scramble to reach a compromise, lawmakers came together to overhaul Michigan's energy marketplace on the last day of the legislative session.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2016

MIT report calls for regulatory, market reforms to accommodate DERs

The lengthy paper argues regulators must be as innovative as the companies they oversee to unlock the potential of distributed resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 16, 2016

Texas grid operator continues debate over pricey reliability agreement

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is still seeking alternatives to a reliability must-run agreement it inked this summer with NRG Texas Power.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2016

DOE earmarks $70M for new carbon storage, transportation programs

ARPA-E will spend $35 million to help farmers develop crops that increase the capture of carbon and the soil depth at which it is stored.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2016

Wind industry to Trump: Transmission vital to sustain record growth

Wind builders want the Trump White House to see transmission as vital infrastructure, and having Rick Perry at DOE could help. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2016

Michigan lawmakers scramble for energy bill compromise after late-night session

Legislators and Gov. Snyder worked until 5 a.m. and are still trying to finalize changes to the state's retail market and renewables goals. 

By Robert Walton, Gavin Bade • Dec. 15, 2016

California regulators force SCE, stakeholders to renegotiate San Onofre nuclear settlement

The CPUC said ethics and ex parte violations mean parties could renegotiate rates related to the closure of the San Onofre nuclear plant.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2016

Exelon, New York PSC file in federal court to defend nuclear subsidy program

The parties want the court to dismiss a challenge against New York's ZEC program aimed at shoring up ailing nuclear power plants.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 14, 2016

Federal appeals court lifts injunction on New England renewables RFP in Allco case

The injunction had halted the awarding of more than 450 MW of projects as the court considers if state renewable power mandates are constitutional. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 14, 2016

North Carolina committee votes for review of energy policy, including PURPA

North Carolina Energy Policy Council voted unanimously to request a re-evaluation of energy policies spurred by Duke's concerns about solar. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 13, 2016

Retooling regulation: Is integrating energy and environmental regulation legal?

Broad state authority under the Clean Air Act means regulatory reforms would likely be permitted by the courts, RAP analysts write.

By Chris James, Ken Colburn • Dec. 13, 2016