Transmission line is 'game changer' for AEP's $4.5B Wind Catcher, Texas PUC chair says

Texas regulators last week honed in on ratepayer risks and benefits of the proposed 2,000 MW wind farm and 360 mile transmission line.

By Peter Maloney • July 18, 2018

LaFleur: FERC unlikely to act on pipeline review before Powelson exit

Failure to rule on the docket before Powelson leaves could empower the two Democrats on the commission, who could deadlock FERC votes until a replacement is confirmed. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 18, 2018

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Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

APS spends $11 million to keep 50% renewables measure off ballot

The utility says it is concerned the measure would lead it to retire its Palo Verde nuclear plant early, an argument contested by environmental groups. 

By Gavin Bade • July 18, 2018

FERC climate policy faces new challenge at DC Circuit Court

Earlier this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission narrowly voted to restrict the consideration of climate change impacts in its review of pipeline projects.

By Robert Walton • July 18, 2018

PJM CEO: Grid operator will respond to FERC capacity market order within 60 days

The operator could ask federal regulators for an extension, but CEO Andy Ott said that would run the risk of not having changes in place before the next capacity market auction.

By Gavin Bade • July 17, 2018

PG&E projects set new bar for battery size but fall short on transparency

The California utility proposed energy storage to replace peakers, but comparisons are difficult without more data on costs.

By Peter Maloney • July 17, 2018

Exclusive: Powelson says no 'idle threat' to step down early from FERC

The outgoing federal energy regulator says he leaves with his reputation intact — “I never got a $50 room offer.”

By Gavin Bade • July 17, 2018

Massachusetts House approves study of mobile storage as grid resilience tool

Although it doesn't match the ambitious scope of the state Senate's energy omnibus, the Massachusetts House passed a bill last week advancing energy storage research and its applications.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 17, 2018

Has FERC's landmark transmission planning effort made transmission building harder?

An Obama-era rule to grow transmission for the power system’s transition to renewable resources has been called into question.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 17, 2018

Arizona regulators open first US transactive energy docket

Other utility reform dockets have considered elements of transactive energy, but the Arizona Corporation Commission is the first to address the issue in a specific proceeding. 

By Gavin Bade • July 17, 2018

Eversource asks regulators to reconsider Northern Pass transmission project, gas pipeline

The utility seizes the opportunity to bring two more projects to the table after the New Hampshire Supreme Court reversed a regulatory rejection of a new natural gas pipeline.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2018

New York regulators approve higher crypto mining rates for municipal utility

The Public Service Commission has ruled on cryptocurrency rates for the second time, as miners moved operations in the upstate region to take advantage of cheap hydropower.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2018

Hydro One turmoil prompts new look at Avista merger by Washington regulators

Ontario's new premier has pushed out Hydro One's CEO and board, sowing uncertainty for Washington's Utilities and Transportation Commission on Hydro One's merger with the small investor-owned utility.

By Peter Maloney • July 16, 2018

Make or buy for utilities: Putting services and capital investments on a level playing field

While the performance of regulatory options can vary, if a service solution is more cost-effective to meet a need, regulators should ensure that customers can benefit without punishing utility investors, AEE's Danny Waggoner writes.

By Danny Waggoner • July 16, 2018

As corporate PPAs surge, consultants aim to bring lower prices

A lack of transparency and reliance on bilateral deals could mean corporations are leaving money on the table.

By Peter Maloney • July 16, 2018

Former FERC Chair Kelliher questions need for more New England pipelines

The NextEra Energy executive's comments run against the conventional wisdom among pipeline builders that the region is in dire need of more transport capacity.

By Gavin Bade • July 13, 2018

New investor-backed campaign targets a trillion dollars for US renewables

The right policies could bring significant investment to renewables by 2030, but first the White House must see such clean energy resources as the right politics for Trump country.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2018

Hawaii opens microgrid tariff proceeding to spur customer adoption

The Public Utilities Commission opened the docket the same day Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed legislation focused on microgrids and how they can benefit the state's island communities.

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2018

DC considering 100% renewable by 2032, but no carbon tax

A new measure could require 100% renewable energy, but some advocates are disappointed that the bill did not require a carbon tax.

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2018

Incoming PREPA CEO, majority of board resign over executive pay

Unless a replacement is named, the bankrupt Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority will be without a leader by the end of the week.

By Gavin Bade • July 12, 2018

PREPA CEO Higgins steps down after 4 months on the job

Higgins said he's resigning over compensation and family health issues, but a source close to the utility said the CEO failed to gel with senior management and communicate effectively with the Puerto Rican public.

By Gavin Bade • July 12, 2018

Pennsylvania draft plan calls for 11 GW in-state solar

The Department of Environmental Protection issued a draft plan to expand solar resources to make up 10% of the state's retail sales by 2030.

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2018

Summer demand could push US gas generation to record levels: EIA

Gas-fired generation could challenge 2016's high water mark for electricity generation share, EIA says.

By Peter Maloney • July 12, 2018

Kavanaugh pick threatens EPA policies, FERC authority, lawyers say

The Supreme Court nominee has a track record of curtailing federal regulations and has questioned the constitutionality of independent agencies like FERC.

By Gavin Bade • July 11, 2018

Ohio regulator defines grid mod success through customer-side service

PUCO Chair Asim Haque supports greater transparency and data-access to really add value to customer services.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 11, 2018