Regulation & Policy
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OpinionMeeting the challenge of FERC Order 881: Why open source matters for AAR implementation
With ambient-adjusted ratings compliance deadlines set for mid-July, TROLIE offers an open, vendor-neutral standard for the secure, efficient exchange of transmission line rating data.
By Tory McKeag • June 13, 2025 -
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State regulators, utilities support SPP fast-track interconnection plan
But NextEra Energy Resources, clean energy trade groups and others contend it would give utilities a pathway to exclude independent power producers from the process.
By Ethan Howland • June 13, 2025 -
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TrendlineThe Energy Transition to Renewables
Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.
By Utility Dive staff -
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EPA proposes slashing power plant carbon, mercury emission limits
However, the Environmental Protection Agency’s rationale behind the move may be legally flawed, according to environmental and other groups.
By Ethan Howland • June 12, 2025 -
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GOP lawmakers reiterate asks for clean energy credit tweaks in reconciliation bill
Rep. Jen Kiggans, a Virginia Republican, said “there remains significant room for improvement in preserving the clean energy tax credits” in the Senate’s version of the budget bill.
By Lamar Johnson • June 12, 2025 -
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Prioritize ‘impactful’ power sources for interconnection: DOE’s Wright
“We need to look at that [interconnection queue] process and prioritize projects that are impactful and make it move faster and more efficiently,” DOE Secretary Chris Wright said.
By Ethan Howland • June 11, 2025 -
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OpinionA collaborative approach for meeting data center power needs and protecting ratepayers
By working together, sharing risk and embracing innovative solutions, we can foster long-term growth, strengthen the grid and ensure a more equitable distribution of costs and benefits.
By Chris Crosby • June 10, 2025 -
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MISO submits revised fast-track interconnection process for FERC approval
NextEra, Sierra Club and other groups say, however, that the Midcontinent Independent System Operator failed to work with stakeholders on the proposal as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission directed.
By Ethan Howland • June 10, 2025 -
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OpinionBaseload blind spot? Senate should unleash 24/7 clean-energy workhorses
As the U.S. Senate drafts a budget bill, it should value geothermal and hydropower appropriately to secure a stronger, more resilient and more dominant energy future.
By Malcolm Woolf and Bryant Jones • June 9, 2025 -
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MISO resource outlook improves; surplus expected next summer
The potential surplus for the Midcontinent Independent System Operator ranges from 1.4 GW to 6.4 GW next summer, but uncertainty clouds the longer-term outlook, according to the OMS-MISO survey.
By Ethan Howland • June 9, 2025 -
Permission granted by Midcontinent Independent System Operator
NERC overstates MISO reliability risks: market monitor
Also, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator has vastly overestimated the power supplies it will need in coming years to meet demand for electricity, market monitor David Patton said.
By Ethan Howland • June 6, 2025 -
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OpinionLarge load tariffs have a problem. Clean transition tariffs are the solution.
These tariffs were designed to offer large loads access to renewable energy, but they could be expanded to baseload generation to remove at-risk generation from the utility’s books.
By Ben Hertz-Shargel • June 5, 2025 -
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OpinionData center growth and the imperative of economic discipline
Grid access must be treated as a scarce, priced product. That means building markets for interconnection capacity, avoiding socialized costs and ensuring that those who impose system costs bear them.
By Terry Harvill and August Ankum • June 5, 2025 -
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Does PJM have a data center problem?
“Data centers could overwhelm the grids if they chose to,” Joseph Bowring, Market Analytics president, said. He called for requiring data centers to run their facilities on new power sources.
By Ethan Howland • June 5, 2025 -
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Diverse market regions highlight resource adequacy challenge at FERC conference
FERC Chairman Mark Christie posed a hypothetical question: Should the commission require grid operators to establish mandatory reserve margins for all load-serving entities?
By Robert Walton • June 5, 2025 -
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OpinionThink small: Why America should bet on small modular reactors
To reach their potential, SMRs will require effective support across the entire development cycle — and a sustained commitment based on bipartisan, long-term political backing.
By Robin Gaster • June 4, 2025 -
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Electricity consumer groups urge FERC to improve load forecasts
Load forecasts, which are surging, can affect wholesale electricity prices and resources adequacy, but they are rife with uncertainty and lack transparency, the groups said.
By Ethan Howland • June 4, 2025 -
Permission granted by Esme Howland
White House names energy attorney Swett to replace FERC’s Christie
The move comes as the White House appears to be exerting a growing influence over independent agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the R Street Institute’s Devin Hartman said.
By Ethan Howland • June 3, 2025 -
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Amid rising energy prices, senators call for EPA to maintain Energy Star
Every dollar spent on the Energy Star program has resulted in nearly $350 in energy cost savings for business and households, according to Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.
By Robert Walton • June 3, 2025 -
NRC approves NuScale’s small modular reactor plant design
The May 29 approval was NuScale’s second since 2020 and positions the Oregon-based nuclear technology developer as “the most near-term American SMR power solution,” the company said.
By Brian Martucci • June 2, 2025 -
Permission granted by PJM Interconnection
DOE orders Constellation to delay retiring 760 MW to ease PJM ‘emergency’
The U.S. Department of Energy partly based its action on a PJM Interconnection warning that it may need to call on demand response resources to keep the lights on under extreme conditions this summer.
By Ethan Howland • Updated June 2, 2025 -
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DOE cancels $3.7B in carbon capture, decarbonization awards
Calpine, PPL Corp., Ørsted and Exxon Mobil are among the companies affected by the decision.
By Ethan Howland • Updated May 30, 2025 -
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OpinionIRA tax credits spur construction, manufacturing in red and blue states
Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act could slow our ability to build more power generation and increase the risk of rolling blackouts and higher energy costs.
By Emmanuel Martin-Lauzer • May 29, 2025 -
Courtesy of Ten West Link
FERC ALJ order threatens competitive transmission cost caps: CAISO
The issue centers on cost recovery for a $553 million transmission line between Arizona and California built by a Lotus Infrastructure Partners affiliate.
By Ethan Howland • May 29, 2025 -
Permission granted by Ethan Howland
OpinionMaking energy affordable again: The role of cities, states and utilities in enhancing the energy safety net
Even as the U.S. pursues an energy agenda centered on achieving affordability through abundance, utilities and local governments have tools to help families navigate energy insecurities.
By Diana Hernández and Vivek Shastry • May 28, 2025 -
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Trump aims for 400 GW of nuclear by 2050, 10 large reactors under construction by 2030
Nuclear advocates welcomed proposed regulatory reforms while cautioning that NRC and DOE staff cuts could “undermine” progress. One skeptic said NRC changes would compromise safety.
By Brian Martucci • May 28, 2025
