Regulation & Policy: Page 166
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Deep Dive
Greening the ramp: California looks to carbon-free resources to combat the 'duck curve'
A new law directs utilities to plan non-emitting resources to serve peak demand, sparking new debates about resource adequacy and the future of gas generation.
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2017 -
New ARPA-E program to fund $20M for advanced nuclear power research
The program will coordinate with the Energy Department’s Office of Nuclear Energy to leverage new manufacturing processes and technologies to increase nuclear power's competitiveness.
By Peter Maloney • Oct. 23, 2017 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Joe Raedle via Getty ImagesTrendlineTop 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 -
Illinois regulators tighten rules for retail electricity marketers
The Illinois Commerce Commission aims to strengthen consumer protection requirements governing the sale and marketing of alternative retail electricity.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2017 -
Winter reliability strong, RTOs tell FERC, undermining DOE NOPR justification
Secretary of Energy Rick Perry has repeatedly said the threat of outages justifies his agency's controversial cost recovery proposal, but market leaders told regulators they have the risks under control.
By Gavin Bade • Oct. 20, 2017 -
FERC to consider NERC's proposed cybersecurity standards
New North American Electric Reliability Corp. standards would cover "transient electronic devices" like thumb drives and laptop computers in an effort to secure the bulk electric system.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2017 -
Arizona Gov. Ducey appoints tax analyst to replace utility regulator Doug Little
Justin Olson, a former aide to Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), will fill the vacant seat left by Doug Little on the Arizona Corporation Commission.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2017 -
Deep Dive
Moniz: Utilities should prepare for very low carbon future
Despite current moves to support coal generation, the former energy secretary tells Utility Dive "there's no going back on the fight against climate."
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 19, 2017 -
Former FERC heads: DOE NOPR would 'fundamentally distort' power markets
A bipartisan group of former FERC regulators filed comments on the DOE cost recovery proposal Thursday, warning that "investor confidence would evaporate and markets would tend to collapse" if it is finalized.
By Gavin Bade • Oct. 18, 2017 -
Opinion
Energy efficiency as a resource: The power of getting more from less
AEE’s Ryan Katofsky explores traditional and “pay for performance” approaches to getting the biggest bang for the energy-saving buck.
By Ryan Katofsky • Oct. 18, 2017 -
Brattle: Despite NOPR, Trump energy policies unlikely to boost coal
The analysis notes Trump's policies will also benefit natural gas — coal's main generation competitor — allowing the decline of the coal sector to continue.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2017 -
Deep Dive
Chatterjee sets pipelines, grid resilience as priorities for FERC chairmanship
The acting chairman laid out his plans for the federal regulatory body in a speech at the Energy Bar Association on Tuesday.
By Gavin Bade • Oct. 18, 2017 -
New North Carolina regulatory order trims PURPA avoided cost rates
The state is also opening a request for proposals for 2 GW of renewable energy.
By Peter Maloney • Oct. 18, 2017 -
Florida regulators deny FPL nuclear cost recovery for 2017
Regulators say Florida Power & Light failed to submit a feasibility analysis for its 2017 work on two new reactors at the Turkey Point nuclear plant.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2017 -
AES: Batteries helped keep lights on in Dominican Republic during Hurricane Maria
The company says its battery arrays were able to provide critical services to power plants, freeing them up to operate optimally during the storms.
By Peter Maloney • Oct. 17, 2017 -
Connecticut regulators open investigation on Eversource, Avangrid pipeline practices
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) also sent a letter to FERC asking it to open a formal investigation into allegations that the two utilities artificially constrained pipeline capacity.
By Gavin Bade • Oct. 17, 2017 -
LaFleur: DOE NOPR likely not detailed enough to form final rule
Unless FERC rejects the cost recovery proposal outright, LaFleur said regulators will likely need to extend consideration beyond the 60 days requested by DOE.
By Gavin Bade • Oct. 17, 2017 -
Updated: NRG asks California agency to suspend hearings over Puente natural gas plant
The company's decision follows a rare statement from a California Energy Commission committee which recommended against approving the proposed natural gas plant.
By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 17, 2017 -
SEC investigating SCANA over abandoned Summer nuke expansion
Multiple shareholder lawsuits argue SCANA executives misled investors about progress at the now-cancelled nuclear plant, and now the SEC is involved.
By Gavin Bade • Oct. 17, 2017 -
EPA moves to deny greens legal tool by ending 'sue and settle' practice
The agency will no longer settle lawsuits from environmental groups, a decision critics say will result in longer litigation and enhanced uncertainty for regulated companies.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 17, 2017 -
New Ohio bill reintroduces nuclear subsidy program as DOE pushes cost recovery NOPR
The measure proposes a Zero Emission Nuclear Resource (ZEN) program that would support FirstEnergy’s North Perry and Oak Harbor nuclear facilities.
By Peter Maloney • Oct. 17, 2017 -
Massachusetts AG reviewing report on Eversource, Avangrid constraining pipelines
While not a formal investigation, a spokesperson said Attorney General Maura Healey considers the report "concerning" and that it demands "careful assessment and analysis."
By Gavin Bade • Oct. 17, 2017 -
California allocates $55M for energy storage in low income neighborhoods
The California Public Utilities Commission assistance program is providing 25% of the funds collected by the state’s Self Generation Incentive Program.
By Peter Maloney • Oct. 17, 2017 -
Powelson rejects Polar Vortex arguments underpinning DOE cost recovery plan
The FERC commissioner dismissed the notion that natural gas generators "didn't perform" during the Polar Vortex in a Monday speech, rejecting a main assumption behind the Department of Energy's cost recovery rule for coal and nuclear plants.
By Gavin Bade • Oct. 17, 2017 -
Pipeline backers, New York duel over water quality certificates
Constitution Pipeline could be in service in 2019, but project backers will need federal officials to overturn New York's denial of a water quality certificate.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 17, 2017 -
Deep Dive
California utilities finding their way on renewables integration
High levels of renewables can make utilities look good but also strain their systems, with potential solutions requiring vetting by regulators.
By Peter Maloney • Oct. 16, 2017