Regulation & Policy

Irreconcilable conflict? Lessons from the Central Maine Power transmission corridor debacle

The Central Maine Power corridor debate shows public support must be built for much-needed infrastructure through strategic, long-term transmission and distribution planning, the author writes.

By Rebecca Schultz • Nov. 30, 2021

'A long way to go': How ConEd, Xcel and 4 other utilities are helping cities meet big EV goals

From New York City to Los Angeles, cities and utilities face cost, land and grid challenges in their efforts to electrify transportation systems. 

By Robert Walton , Emma Penrod , Jason Plautz , Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 30, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Decarbonization

Companies and governments are pushing to reduce carbon emissions, prompting questions about the future of gas, transitioning workforces and integrating renewables, among other challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

8 states, DC urge FERC to reject EEI, Eversource call to drop competition for transmission projects

Utility regulators and attorneys general also want the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to require independent monitors to help oversee powerline planning.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 29, 2021

At the forefront: The biggest state clean energy legislative trends of 2021

States continue to act as laboratories of innovation, taking unique policy approaches and testing their own solutions to various clean energy policy issues, the author writes.

By Autumn Proudlove • Nov. 24, 2021

Pricing carbon is vital to US climate goals and politically unlikely, but there is another way, analysts say

There are two basic approaches to pricing carbon emissions, and either can work, most economists agree. Though neither is politically viable, there is a way toward them, many analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 24, 2021

Can the DOE's community solar target to power 5M homes be met? Not without state-level support

Without putting forth the resources and rewarding effective blueprints to pull off a monumental scaling effort of community solar, the DOE's new targets will not be met, the author writes.

By Mike Gordon • Nov. 24, 2021

Illinois' new clean energy law could be a regulatory playbook for other states

While the law's decarbonization targets and workforce development components grabbed headlines, less has been written about the utility regulatory requirements and challenges associated with enacting it, the authors write.

By Carrie Zalewski, Jordan Graham and Tanya Rabczak • Nov. 23, 2021

FERC balks at PJM utilities' proposal to profit on network upgrades

The plan by PPL Corp., Exelon and other utilities is part of a broader utility effort to be allowed to invest in more types of transmission projects.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 22, 2021

Energy-efficient infrastructure projects hold a key opportunity for contractors

For builders that incorporate sustainable systems into their projects, the $1.80-per-square-foot 179D tax deduction can quickly climb to millions of dollars.

By Dean Zerbe • Nov. 22, 2021

FERC investigates possible market manipulation during Winter Storm Uri

Pointing to a jump in enforcement activity, Chairman Richard Glick said "the cop is back on the street."

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 19, 2021

FERC commissioners pledge to act on Spire pipeline before temporary permit expires

Chairman Richard Glick also pledged to pursue decisions in a bipartisan manner as the Senate confirmation of Willie Phillips gives Democrats a 3-2 majority at the agency.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 19, 2021

Direct Energy launches fresh attack against Dominion's 100% renewable energy tariff in Virginia

The competitive power provider is taking aim at Dominion Energy's all-renewable power offering, saying it has failed to attract anywhere near the number of customers it should.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 18, 2021

Advocates vow to fight 'outrageous' decision rejecting New Hampshire efficiency program

"This should provoke outrage and concern everywhere in the country," said New Hampshire Consumer Advocate Don Kreis about a decision to reverse rate increases to fund efficiency upgrades. 

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 18, 2021

Democrats stress need to beef up clean energy supply chains as Republicans knock rising gas prices

The energy transition is ramping up around the world and driving a need for additional metals and critical minerals, experts testified at a House hearing. But Republicans said the focus of the hearing was misplaced.

By Emma Penrod • Nov. 18, 2021

NY regulator's shortsighted decision on NRG and Danskammer gas plants may cause future power shortages

The only viable answer at this time to fill the electric reliability hole that policymakers are digging is the conversion of existing and new state-of-the-art natural gas-fired generation plants to use "green hydrogen," the author writes.

By Arnold R. Wallenstein • Nov. 18, 2021

How the Build Back Better bill could boost clean energy for low-income homeowners

Advocates say the Democrats' budget bill corrects incentives that have "always been biased towards people who have wealth."

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 16, 2021

AEP, Sunflower execs urge FERC to require grid planners to identify renewable energy zones

Proactively planning transmission to serve areas that are designated for deploying clean energy could save money, experts told federal regulators.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 16, 2021

Utility of the future? We also need fundamental changes at state regulatory commissions

​​Regulatory commissions are hampered by outdated statutes, lack of staff diversity, and misaligned legislative bodies that govern and fund them, the authors write. 

By Stephanie Eyocko, Alicia Brown and Dugan Marieb • Nov. 15, 2021

Changing climate and electricity mix renew region-wide power market ambitions for the 'Wild West'

Replacing today's "inflexible" dispatch in 11 Western states with an RTO's optimized operations and avoided capacity costs could deliver up to $1.3 billion in annual benefits, according to a DOE-funded study.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 15, 2021

What the extension of cybersecurity standards beyond NERC CIP means to utilities

There's a growing realization in the utility industry that NERC CIP may no longer be enough to protect utilities against sophisticated cyberattacks.

Nov. 15, 2021

Time for FERC to return to being fuel neutral

FERC in recent months has departed from its role as a fuel-neutral regulator of power markets by demonstrating a troubling pattern of favoritism for renewables and discrimination against fossil fuels, the author writes.

By Guy Caruso • Nov. 12, 2021

FERC kicks off 3-year task force examining transmission issues, state-federal divide

States want to work collaboratively to develop new transmission, but some commissioners fear that a federal requirement to consider energy goals "will impair the ability to get transmission built."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2021

FERC approves transmission rules for SEEM market, dismissing open access concerns

The decision could broadly affect rules giving non-utilities access to the transmission system, warned Jeff Dennis, the head of Advanced Energy Economy.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 10, 2021

When it comes to transmission, and greater FERC authority in general, be careful what you wish for

It is difficult to imagine that FERC will be excited about the opportunity to mix it up with the congressional delegation of a state it is trying to steamroller, the author writes.

By Michael McKenna • Nov. 10, 2021

Expand competitive power markets, not regulations and subsidies, to address global climate change

Instead of government-driven mandates, a more fruitful approach would be empowering competitive electricity markets to usher in market sustainable low-emission technologies, the author writes.

By Wayne Winegarden • Nov. 9, 2021