Regulation & Policy
-
Deep Dive
Transformer supply bottleneck threatens power system stability as load grows
Solutions are emerging for the bottleneck in making electric transformers critical to managing power system reliability, but long wait times remain.
By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2025 -
FERC approves PJM’s fast-track power plant interconnection plan
However, agency commissioners said they are concerned the PJM Interconnection’s proposal for shovel-ready projects may not adequately address potential capacity shortfalls.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 12, 2025 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Kevork Djansezian via Getty ImagesTrendlineSustainability
Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.
By Utility Dive staff -
Uncertainty clouds northern US grids amid Canada tariff threat
If a 10% tariff on Canadian electricity imports takes effect next month, U.S. Energy Information Administration data suggests thermal reserves could provide a backstop against shortages.
By Brian Martucci • Feb. 11, 2025 -
Existing US grid can handle ‘significant’ new flexible load: report
“Flexible load strategies can help tap existing headroom to more quickly integrate new loads [and] reduce the cost of capacity expansion,” Duke University researchers said.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 11, 2025 -
RTOs could fast-track dispatchable generation under House, Senate bills
The legislation would let dispatchable generation jump ahead in interconnection queues after a review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 7, 2025 -
DOE to focus on expanding baseload generation: Secretary Wright
“Net-zero policies raise energy costs for American families and businesses, threaten the reliability of our energy system, and undermine our energy and national security,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 6, 2025 -
FERC delay on ISO-NE interconnection plan could lock out 3 GW from capacity auction: Flatiron
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s failure to act on ISO New England's interconnection reform proposal is creating market uncertainty, according to New England states.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 6, 2025 -
Utilities await clarity on DOE loans as decisive court battle looms
The Trump administration will likely scrutinize funding for renewables and climate change mitigation, potentially affecting outlays for critical grid investments, experts say.
By Brian Martucci • Feb. 5, 2025 -
China responds to Trump with added tariffs, including on coal, LNG
The new duties are set to take effect Feb. 10 and cover some car, equipment and energy imports.
By Max Garland • Feb. 4, 2025 -
California PUC streamlines transmission permitting process
The California Independent System Operator estimates the state will need up to $63 billion in new transmission over the next 20 years to meet its energy goals.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 4, 2025 -
Senate confirms Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright as DOE secretary
Wright aims to expand U.S. power supplies — including renewable energy — to help lower electricity prices, he said during his Senate confirmation hearing.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 4, 2025 -
FERC approves MISO interconnection queue cap proposal
Rejecting arguments from clean energy trade groups, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s plan wouldn’t hurt competition or reduce grid access.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 3, 2025 -
Texas eyes 765-kV transmission lines in regional ‘transmission race’
Utility regulators are concerned about the potential for costs to spiral and supply chain constraints to slow development.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2025 -
Trump issues tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
The president ordered an additional 10% duty on goods from China and 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, though Canadian energy resources will face a lower rate.
By Philip Neuffer • Feb. 1, 2025 -
Opinion
Transmission is the key to American energy dominance
To remain competitive and win the AI race with China, we will need all the energy we can generate while expanding our ability to transmit those electrons wherever they need to go.
By Christina Hayes • Jan. 31, 2025 -
2025 US power sector outlook
The second Trump administration has ramped up energy transition uncertainty. Meanwhile, electricity demand from data centers and electrification continues to grow, and the resource mix is changing.
By Utility Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2025 -
Senate confirms Doug Burgum as Interior secretary
The former governor of North Dakota says he supports an “all of the above” approach to generation, but he joins an administration focused on oil and gas production.
By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 31, 2025 -
Bitcoin miner Stronghold to pay $1.4M to settle charges it violated PJM market rules
Stronghold failed to meet its must-offer capacity obligation by using power it produced to run bitcoin mining rigs, according to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-approved settlement agreement.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 31, 2025 -
Trump’s executive orders cause hesitation, confusion for clean energy developers
“There are daily developments, and I think people are just doing the best they can with the limited information we have at the moment,” said Felisa Sanchez, a partner with law firm K&L Gates.
By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 30, 2025 -
Retrieved from U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
California PUC proposes energy storage safety, emergency response requirements
Published 10 days after a fire at Vistra’s 300-MW battery installation near Santa Cruz, the California Public Utilities Commission’s proposal would set new standards for energy storage facilities.
By Brian Martucci • Jan. 29, 2025 -
New MISO demand response rules could bar resources from capacity auction: Voltus complaint
"Beyond the eleventh hour" requirements by the midcontinent grid operator could keep Voltus from taking part in an upcoming capacity auction, the demand response company told FERC.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 29, 2025 -
Opinion
Why utility leadership is necessary to scale up VPPs in the residential sector
The most effective virtual power plants are embedded within utility operations, providing utilities with direct insight into and control of the distributed energy resources in their network.
By Neil Veilleux and Nick Papanastassiou • Jan. 29, 2025 -
PJM agrees to lower price cap for upcoming capacity auctions
If approved, the agreement would settle a complaint by Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro over the PJM Interconnection’s capacity auction price cap.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 29, 2025 -
Trump funding freeze leaves IIJA, IRA projects in limbo
New executive orders could halt promised funding and stop infrastructure and environmental projects that are already underway, legal experts say.
By Julie Strupp • Updated Jan. 29, 2025 -
Retrieved from House Energy and Commerce Committee.Column
FERC in Focus: Consumers, reliability and states are FERC’s top priorities, Chairman Christie says
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will tackle the “huge” issue of colocation, newly named Chairman Mark Christie said in an interview.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 28, 2025