Regulation & Policy
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Ohio House advances nuclear subsidy bill, ditching renewable components
Proponents of the bill, which would give nearly $190 million a year to FirstEnergy Solutions' nuclear plants, are working to ensure the Republican vote is locked down as the legislation approaches a vote on the House floor.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 24, 2019 -
Senate targets nuclear, carbon capture support as pressure mounts for Republican climate response
While the Republican-led Senate is prioritizing baseload power generation and technologies that would clean up coal plants, both chambers are supporting energy storage.
By Catherine Morehouse • May 24, 2019 -
Storage advocates await leadership action as bipartisan bills pile up in Congress
"Senate leadership priorities depend on many moving parts ... separate from the bipartisan support that some energy storage policies have," said Energy Storage Association CEO Kelly Speakes-Backman.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 23, 2019 -
Texas passes first grid protection bills to boost cybersecurity monitoring and best practices
SB 475 establishes the Texas Electric Grid Security Council to develop grid security standards, prepare for grid-related security threats and amend the state emergency plan to ensure coordinated response and recovery efforts.
By HJ Mai • May 23, 2019 -
Carbon capture advocates, lawmakers call for effective 45Q tax credit implementation
Bipartisan legislation expanding the incentive for carbon capture technology became law more than a year ago, but so far companies have been unable to claim it.
By Robert Walton • May 22, 2019 -
National Grid says no new NYC gas customers until state approves pipeline
New York regulators denied a permit last week, ruling the Williams Cos' pipeline that would relieve natural gas congestion in the New York City Area could harm aquatic life.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 22, 2019 -
Murkowski questions need for renewables tax credits
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair questioned whether wind and solar technology could stand without the tax incentives that are phasing out or beginning to phase down at the end of the year.
By Robert Walton • May 22, 2019 -
OpinionRenewable energy ownership: A game plan for utilities
Utilities are pursuing models to compete with independent power producers for renewable ownership versus simply buying from them via power purchase agreements.
By Brian R. Murphy • May 22, 2019 -
Senators launch bipartisan initiative on long term solutions to expiring energy tax credits
Finance Committee task forces are expected to produce options by the end of June that can be enacted this year while clean energy advocates are pushing to also give storage access to tax credits.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 21, 2019 -
Deep DiveWant to know if California can make zero emissions by 2045? Here's what to watch
To reach a zero emissions economy, California needs to eliminate natural gas by regionalizing the Western grid and coordinating local and state system planning.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 21, 2019 -
New Hampshire legislators quintuple net metering cap by veto-proof margin
Legislators passed a bill last week to increase the cap from 1 MW to 5 MW with enough votes to withstand a veto by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who rejected similar legislation last year.
By Catherine Morehouse • May 20, 2019 -
OpinionWhen cooperative federalism becomes compulsory: FERC overreaches for storage
If FERC is empowered to do anything as broad as Order No. 841, so long as it’s a practice "affecting wholesale rates," then there are no bumpers on federal jurisdiction, because everything affects wholesale rates in some way.
By Tony Clark and Ray Gifford • May 20, 2019 -
FERC commissioners deny opportunity for state-by-state opt out of storage order
Chairman Neil Chatterjee said Order 841 will withstand legal scrutiny, after Commissioner Bernard McNamee brought up concerns over FERC's jurisdiction.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 17, 2019 -
WoodMac: Energy storage will move toward value stacking as industry matures
The global energy storage industry is experiencing significant growth, and capitalizing on all the technology's potential revenue streams will become increasingly important.
By HJ Mai • May 17, 2019 -
New York updates price signals to recognize full value, spur distributed energy resources
The Public Service Commission approved adjustments to standby and buyback service rates aimed at reducing peak demand and operating the electric grid more efficiently.
By Robert Walton • May 17, 2019 -
PG&E, Dominion, 11 other major companies push carbon tax in new climate initiative
On the same day the CEO Climate Dialogue was unveiled, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee said "a carbon tax is not the solution to address our environmental challenges."
By Robert Walton • May 17, 2019 -
DOE looking to save ailing Colstrip plant, fossil fuel chief tells Senate
"We're happy to work with Colstrip and see what opportunities there are to keep it open," Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy at the Department of Energy Steven Winberg told Sen. Steve Daines, R-MT.
By Catherine Morehouse • UPDATED: May 17, 2019 at 8:48 a.m. -
PJM CEO Ott: Lowering storage durations in Order 841 response will displace demand response resources
The grid operator doesn't want to lower its 10-hour minimum storage duration requirement for capacity market participation at the risk of displacing demand response resources.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 16, 2019 -
Solar, wind industries urge feds to smooth deployment kinks
Transmission, soft cost reductions and greater resource efficiency require federal investment to maximize technology growth, industry leaders told the House Subcommittee on Energy Wednesday.
By Catherine Morehouse • May 16, 2019 -
Deep DiveDOE proposal to roll back lightbulb efficiency puts billions in energy savings on the line
Manufacturers argue the stronger 2017 standards were put in place illegally, but the process-driven debate is putting lower carbon emissions and greater customer choice at risk, efficiency advocates say.
By Robert Walton • May 15, 2019 -
'Solar access' bill limits community solar potential in Nevada, critics warn
The bill limits solar providers outside the state's monopoly utility NV Energy from developing programs and doesn't require bill savings for all participants.
By Catherine Morehouse • May 15, 2019 -
Carbon Disclosure Project recognizes 43 cities for climate, environment policies
Twenty-one American cities received "A" grades from the nonprofit, including Boston, Denver, New York City, San Francisco and Washington.
By Jason Plautz • May 15, 2019 -
Arizona nears EV plan finish line, but one commissioner rallies in opposition
"If you do not want your utility rates to increase to help defray the cost of affluent Arizonans owning new electric vehicles, now is the time to voice your opposition," Commissioner Justin Olson wrote.
By Robert Walton • May 14, 2019 -
OpinionAllowing DERs to participate in wholesale markets does not trample state and local authority
What's needed is a framework of shared authority that puts the electricity industry on a path to ensuring that all resources can fairly compete to provide service on the basis of price and performance.
By Ted Thomas and Jeff Dennis • May 14, 2019 -
Department of Energy to award $79M for bioenergy research and development
Projects relating to "urban and suburban wastes," "plastics in the circular carbon economy" and "rethink[ing] anaerobic digestion" are among multiple areas of interest for the new federal funding.
By Cody Ellis • May 13, 2019
