Regulation & Policy

FERC rejects utilities' request to open TVA to competition

But FERC Chairman Glick urged Congress to eliminate the Tennessee Valley Authority's protective fence transmission borders so the utility doesn't have carte blanche to "gold plate" its system.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 22, 2021

Now is the time for regulatory sandboxes in energy and utilities

Recent test beds in Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore and United Kingdom provide inspiration for models to stimulate innovation in the United States.

By Brien J. Sheahan • Oct. 22, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Utility Business Model Reform

Utilities and regulators around the country are exploring new business models, from updated rate structures to performance-based regulation, in order to meet evolving policy and business priorities.

By Utility Dive staff

NextEra doubles down on green hydrogen, other renewables

The company said Wednesday it has added more than 5,700 megawatts over the first nine months of 2021 to its backlog of renewable energy and storage projects.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Oct. 21, 2021

Meeting state offshore wind, renewable goals requires up to $3.2B in transmission, PJM says

A report on future transmission needs marks a change in how the largest U.S. grid operator considers state renewable energy goals, but more work needs to be done, observers say.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 21, 2021

To secure the energy supply chain, feds want to reimagine the power sector as defense

Department of Energy officials say vulnerable software and data supply chains expose the U.S. power grid to attack.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2021

Coal-fired electricity rebounds in 2021, but resurgence could be short-lived

As the price of natural gas soars, a federal report finds coal-fired power plants are expected to produce significantly more electricity this year than in 2020.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Oct. 20, 2021

FERC nominee Phillips uses 3-legged stool analogy in outlining regulatory approach to senators

Willie Phillips Jr. called for balancing cost, reliability and sustainability to address issues such as climate change.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 20, 2021

EEI, utilities want first crack at transmission development as FERC mulls new rules, incentives

With billions in spending at stake, the Edison Electric Institute says competition hampers power line development. Consumer groups contend it lowers costs.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 18, 2021

Time for utility companies to step up by supporting the Clean Electricity Performance Program

Achieving more clean energy is feasible, affordable and would benefit our economy and public health without compromising power system reliability, writes Ceres' senior program director of climate and energy.

By Dan Bakal • Oct. 18, 2021

Empire Wind pushes opening of New York's first offshore wind farm to 2026

The developer told federal regulators it needs until December 2026 to build New York's first major offshore wind farm.

By Scott Van Voorhis • UPDATED: Oct. 16, 2021 at 10:50 a.m.

Amazon, DOE, PJM urge FERC to support proactive transmission planning for an evolving grid

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is preparing for its first overhaul of transmission planning and cost allocation rules in a decade. 

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 15, 2021

Entergy failures threaten New Orleans' future

Entergy's way of doing business is unaffordable to ratepayers and it is unable to provide the kind of reliability and resilience that are more necessary in the face of climate disaster, the author writes.

By Jesse George • Oct. 15, 2021

Southern California Edison eyes building electrification filing later this year

The proposal would be similar to the utility's transportation electrification program, which is the largest in the United States.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2021

Southern, Duke SEEM proposal takes effect as FERC deadlocks on market plan

Federal regulators split on whether the Southeast Energy Exchange Market proposal is legal, clearing the way for the trading platform to begin operating in 12 states next year.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 14, 2021

PJM market monitor calls for penalties on generators to spur grid flexibility

Market incentives would be a better way to make the grid more nimble, power plant operators argued to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 13, 2021

California ISO, utilities weigh in on more aggressive emissions goal, reliability needs

A portfolio of resources that would enable the electric sector to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 38 million metric tons by 2030 will leave only 500 MW of effective capacity above what is needed to meet reliability targets in 2026, according to the California Independent System Operator. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 12, 2021

PJM reviews offshore wind transmission offers from PSEG, Anbaric, LS Power, others

Companies propose projects to deliver 7,500 MW of offshore wind to New Jersey in a unique grid operator-state partnership that could crack the "chicken and egg" development hurdle.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 12, 2021

A century later, utilities still face billions in potential liabilities from obsolete manufactured gas plants

Thousands of manufactured gas plants dotted the American landscape in the 19th and early 20th century. Today, PG&E, ConEd and other utilities are still dealing with the contamination they left behind.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 11, 2021

Avista first utility to file Washington clean energy plan, with focus on demand response, energy efficiency

The utility intends to serve 80% of demand in Washington with renewable energy beginning in 2022, and then increase that by 5% every two years.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 07, 2021

US utilities have billions in unpaid customer balances. What should they do?

The day of reckoning will inevitably come when regulators will have to determine who pays for unpaid balances: the delinquent customer, other customers, utility shareholders, taxpayers, NGOs, or having a shared responsibility.

By Kenneth W. Costello • Oct. 06, 2021

PJM, Exelon, Calpine, others urge FERC to revise decision on capacity offer caps

The companies, along with Vistra and other power suppliers, contend FERC-mandated rules unfairly limit their capacity bids, leading to "over-mitigation."

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 06, 2021

California considers increasing Aliso Canyon's gas storage to boost reliability, despite calls to shut it down

The state Public Utilities Commission has released two proposals aimed at ensuring there is sufficient natural gas supply in the Los Angeles Basin this winter.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 05, 2021

North Carolina passes bill expected to give Duke timely cost recovery, implement clean energy plan

Gov. Roy Cooper, D, is expected to sign the bill, though opponents say it could drive up electric rates by 50%.

By Ethan Howland • UPDATED: Oct. 8, 2021 at 9:13 a.m.

MISO, ISO-NE execs stress need for new power supply planning framework at FERC reliability meeting

Increasing wildfires, heat domes and deep freezes require a new paradigm for resource adequacy planning, experts from grid operators told FERC.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 01, 2021

As California's solar net metering battle goes to regulators, a focus on reliability may be the best answer

The reliability value of solar plus storage in ensuring resource adequacy might be the key to solar's future, according to Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies Executive Director V. John White.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 01, 2021