Regulation & Policy
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OpinionAn uncertain path to a cleaner future: Zero carbon electricity legislation in New York and California
How should California, New York and other states plan to meet their new 100% zero carbon electricity market goals with minimal impacts on reliability and affordability?
By Thomas R. Brill and Steven C. Russo • Aug. 23, 2019 -
California calls for $100M to incentivize DERs in high-risk wildfire areas
The Public Utilities Commission proposed changes to the state's primary storage incentive that would create a budget for low-income customers in wildfire threat areas.
By HJ Mai • Aug. 23, 2019 -
FirstEnergy Solutions' bankruptcy plan hits snag as judge presses utility to resolve union contracts
FES wants to scrap FirstEnergy labor contracts, including pensions for long-time nuclear plant workers, while emerging from bankruptcy with up to $1.1 billion in cash, witnesses say.
By John Funk • Aug. 22, 2019 -
Virginia regulators order Dominion to process exit applications of large customers
The utility terminated processing enrollment applications submitted by two competitive service providers after filing petitions in July about the companies' ability to provide 100% renewable energy to customers.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 22, 2019 -
Controversial Duke multiyear rate plan upended in North Carolina House
House lawmakers were concerned "the biggest paradigm shift in North Carolina electricity regulation in 100 years" did not go through a full stakeholder process.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 22, 2019 -
Federal bill aims to extend renewable energy tax credits for biogas and WTE
The bill would incentivize development of qualifying biogas, WTE and biomass projects. While attention to organic waste has spurred recent biogas investment, new incinerator projects have been less frequent.
By Rina Li • Aug. 22, 2019 -
Wisconsin regulators grant wind transmission project preliminary approval
The controversial project would allow the state to add 25 GW of renewable energy capacity to the Great Plains market and ensure reliability. Opponents argue for transmission updates to existing infrastructure.
By Max Witynski • Aug. 21, 2019 -
Deep DiveWhat will electricity pricing look like in 2040?
Experts weigh in on their rate design predictions, ranging from complex rates and set-it, forget-it technologies to Netflix-like subscription plans.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2019 -
OpinionXcel needs a push to improve its grid transparency tools
Further improvements to Xcel's hosting capacity analysis and map are necessary to help Minnesota realize the full potential of DERs, including renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy storage, writes Yochi Zakai, an attorney for IREC.
By Yochi Zakai • Aug. 20, 2019 -
New Mexico city fights for federal carbon capture funding in next move to save San Juan coal plant
Farmington, New Mexico, signed an agreement to transfer 95% of the plant's ownership from other stakeholders to a local energy company.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 19, 2019 -
Wisconsin governor orders 100% carbon free by 2050, despite lack of legislative support
Gov. Tony Evers, D, signed an executive order on Friday after being unable to pass more aggressive energy policy through the state's budget.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 19, 2019 -
New Mexico senator moves to impeach utility commissioners as tensions rise over San Juan closure
A legislator frustrated with what he says is politically motivated opposition to the state's comprehensive clean energy law is heightening pressure on regulators.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 16, 2019 -
Top Arizona regulator spurs retail choice progress, pushes for rule drafting
The Arizona Corporation Commission had closed its retail electric competition docket in 2013, following the opposition of Arizona Public Service.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 16, 2019 -
EPA details renewables, efficiency health benefits as DOE slows energy savings progress
The agency says the report's purpose is to give state and local officials a clearer roadmap when developing policies around renewables and energy savings.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 15, 2019 -
Deep DiveEveryone loves a guaranteed discount: New financing approach drives community solar growth
Innovations are transforming community solar nationwide, but the technology is also booming in Florida where, despite utilities not using discounts to spur development, FPL is planning the world's largest community solar project.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 15, 2019 -
US needs to invest $2.2 billion to meet EV charging demand through 2025: ICCT
Studies show such spending will be critical as the lack of charging opportunities remains a top barrier for U.S. EV adoption.
By HJ Mai • Aug. 14, 2019 -
Seattle City Council passes resolution advancing Green New Deal
Council members' decision, which lays out various climate-friendly development strategies, was met with a standing ovation from spectators.
By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 14, 2019 -
Deep DiveRenewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility
New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.
By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019 -
Consumers Energy agrees to clear PURPA queue, add 584 MW renewables by 2023
The settlement will also lower the price the utility has to pay qualifying facilities under the federal law.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 13, 2019 -
Maryland moves to align with other states on ratemaking, allow multi-year plans
The Maryland Public Service Commission says the alternative ratemaking process will make rates more predictable, shorten utility cost recovery time and reduce the administrative burden of annual rate filings.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 13, 2019 -
EPA moves to streamline permitting for power plant expansions, gas pipelines
One of the agency's actions aims to guarantee developers will avoid triggering New Source Review permitting if one portion of their project increases emissions, as long as those emissions are offset by a larger decrease in other parts of the project.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 12, 2019 -
New York regulators call on FERC to exempt energy storage from NYISO's mitigation measures
The Public Service Commission alleges NYISO is negatively impacting the deployment of storage in the state.
By HJ Mai • Aug. 12, 2019 -
Seattle mayor proposes heating oil tax to push electrification
The 24 cents-per-gallon tax would cover rebates and grants to help 3,000 homes transition to electric power.
By Jason Plautz • Aug. 09, 2019 -
New York looks to Europe for offshore wind coordination, interconnection models to develop 9 GW
State stakeholders say coordination is key as they juggle a variety of transmission players based on the lessons learned from Europe, where developers have installed more than 17 GW of offshore wind.
By Max Witynski • Aug. 09, 2019 -
Coal, nuclear could see boost in New England this winter as new tariff goes into effect
The tariff will compensate power plants such as nuclear, coal-fired and oil-fired generation, but excludes resources such as offshore wind, which the grid operator has credited for providing significant value during cold snaps.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • UPDATED: Aug. 12, 2019 at 8:25 a.m.
