Regulation & Policy

EPA expands coal ash storage options for utilities in move NGOs say violates DC Circuit ruling

The power industry says the rule is based on a record EPA has built since 2015, and will apply to only a narrow subset of facilities.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 20, 2020

New England states call for changes to wholesale markets, transmission planning and grid governance

The current system "has actively hindered our efforts to decarbonize the grid," according to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Rate Design Reform

From Netflix-like subscriptions to EV-specific policies that encourage charging during off-peak hours, stakeholders are pursuing a variety of rate design options to meet the power sector's emerging challenges and opportunities.

By Utility Dive staff

FERC PJM order muddies state subsidy definition under MOPR, potentially hinders renewables, Glick says

Commissioner Richard Glick said the order is further evidence that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is overreaching when it comes to state clean energy policies.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020

FERC confirms carbon pricing jurisdiction in wholesale markets, Chatterjee 'encourages' proposals

"This commission encourages efforts to develop wholesale market rules that incorporate a state-determined carbon price in [wholesale] markets," Chairman Neil Chatterjee said. Commissioner James Danly called it "unnecessary."

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020

Gas generators ask FERC to apply PJM MOPR logic to NYISO

Two gas generators claim current market rules do not address price suppression caused by state subsidies, and therefore disadvantage resources not receiving those payments.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020

BOEM needs staffing help with offshore wind permitting regardless of election results, experts say

If regulators stagger construction permits for the bottlenecked offshore wind projects, stakeholders worry it will hurt developers and communities that have been waiting for the influx of activity.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 15, 2020

Wyoming PSC: Socioeconomic impact of coal retirements not within the purview of an IRP

Deliberations at the Wyoming PSC conclude that socioeconomic impacts of coal plant retirements do not fall within the scope of an IRP, but commissioners raise questions about other criteria including rates and environmental concerns.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 13, 2020

PG&E probation judge demands details after utility equipment seized in wildfire investigation

The Zogg Fire began in late September and has since caused four fatalities and burned more than 56,000 acres.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 13, 2020

FERC's Glick blasts fellow commissioners for intruding on New York's resource mix decisions

FERC voted 2-1 last week to remove an offer exemption for some demand response resources in the New York ISO capacity market, which some experts say will reduce the competitiveness of those resources.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2020

Illinois Commerce Commission launches new probe to resolve questions about Ameren's net metering claims

Ameren announced its intention to switch from full retail net metering for future residential solar customers due to market saturation, and solar installers claim the plan is worse for business than the pandemic shutdown.

By John Funk • Oct. 09, 2020

Solar groups challenge FERC Broadview order reversing 40 years of PURPA precedent

Just six weeks before the order, FERC issued a final PURPA rule that doesn't address the decades-long precedent on qualifying facilities, making the commission guilty of an "abuse of discretion," solar advocates said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 08, 2020

Heat storm and insufficient planning caused August rolling blackouts, California regulators say

"[I]t is our responsibility and intent to plan for such events, which are becoming increasingly common in a world rapidly being impacted by climate change," regulators said in their preliminary analysis.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 08, 2020

EIA raises forecast for coal generation bump in 2021, and more carbon emissions

Coal-generated electricity is on a long-term decline in the U.S., but the Energy Information Administration expects a 4% bump in its share of the nation's generation in the next year.

By Larry Pearl • Oct. 07, 2020

Ameren rejects Illinois regulators' request, ends retail net metering for new residential solar customers

Ameren said the Illinois Commerce Commission's Oct. 1 "request" that it continue full net metering would lead the utility to violate its approved tariff.

By John Funk • Oct. 06, 2020

FERC carbon pricing conference shatters attendance records, but where were the state voices?

No state within a regulated market was represented. "I truly believe that the leadership at FERC has been dysfunctional for 3.5 years," said New Jersey's head regulator, adding it's "not friendly" to states.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 05, 2020

Opinion

PBR for utilities: Is it better than the beer?

A poorly designed and executed performance-based regulation mechanism can harm utility customers when the intent is to benefit them, the author writes.

By Kenneth W. Costello • Oct. 05, 2020

Biden could pursue 'easy' climate solutions, elements of the Green New Deal if elected: experts

Renewable energy, storage and transmission projects will continue to face challenges even in "blue" states supportive of such development, according to speakers at the Society of Environmental Journalists' annual conference.

By Gloria Gonzalez • Oct. 02, 2020

Colorado roadmap targets 80% GHG reduction from power sector by 2030, but some see greater possibilities

The state's proposed 20-year plan for carbon reduction sets the state's renewable, electric industries up for rapid growth, but a new study suggests there could be room for greater gains.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 02, 2020

Illinois regulators move to preserve retail net metering rate, order audit of Ameren's bid to end it

Ameren Illinois says customer solar generation is about to reach 5% of peak demand on its system, allowing it to end retail net metering under state law.

By John Funk • UPDATED: Oct. 2, 2020 at 9:57 a.m.

Virginia regulatory staff project $800 annual customer bill increase for Dominion to meet clean energy law

Plans proposed by the utility, ranging from around $44 billion to $84.3 billion, did not include a least-cost compliance option, according to staffers.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 01, 2020

FERC has legal authority to implement a carbon price, experts tell commissioners

Panelists did not reach consensus on whether a price could be unilaterally implemented during FERC's first-ever carbon pricing technical conference.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 01, 2020

Whitehouse sees 'pent-up pressure' in Congress for comprehensive climate bill

But if Democrats do not gain a majority in the Senate, "that's a more difficult path," said Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 29, 2020

Ameren pledges net zero carbon by 2050, 3.1 GW new renewables by 2030, keeping coal into 2040s

Pending negotiations over securitization legislation in Missouri could encourage the utility to retire its coal assets faster, according to stakeholders.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 29, 2020

NYISO highlights case for carbon pricing days before highly-anticipated FERC conference

The grid operator hopes the Sept. 30 conference will convince federal regulators that the mechanism is the most efficient way for regulated markets to support state decarbonization goals.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 29, 2020

Utility carbon reduction actions lag net zero targets, but there's time to catch up, Deloitte finds

One industry observer said current utility resource plans rely on "magical thinking" with their focus on unproven technologies and continued use of gas, but companies have plenty of time to close the gap, according to Deloitte.

By Thomas Gresham • Sept. 28, 2020