Regulation & Policy: Page 2

CPUC's $2.1B wildfire fine could derail bankruptcy exit financing commitments: PG&E

The utility urged regulators to instead adopt a $1.68 billion penalty it negotiated last year.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 20, 2020

FERC launches long-delayed revision of transmission incentives, bringing benefits into the equation

Chairman Neil Chatterjee wants to "keep the business of the commission going" while taking precautions given the spread of the novel coronavirus, potentially rushing a response from stakeholders.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 20, 2020

Ohio bans door-to-door energy sales over coronavirus concerns, following Illinois, Pennsylvania

A proposal from the Ohio Consumers' Counsel said not only that door-to-door sales pose a "health risk," but that "policing the tactics of some of the marketing companies is difficult."

By John Funk • March 19, 2020

PJM MOPR compliance plan allays renewable sector concerns of being shut out of capacity auctions

The grid operator's long-awaited compliance filing is a "phenomenal" attempt to minimize the most contentious aspects of the federal order, according to an industry lawyer.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 19, 2020

Oklo submits first advanced reactor license application in US as NRC moves to streamline reviews

Advanced reactors purport to be the "next generation" of nuclear that can fix the problems facing the current industry, but first they need to go through a lengthy regulatory process.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 18, 2020

Opinion

Coronavirus calls utilities to humanitarian role — how to help troubled customers in this time of need

As the nation mobilizes to contain the coronavirus, utilities' most vulnerable customers need special assistance as the pandemic exposes and exacerbates existing fault lines between haves and have-nots, the author writes.

By Lisa Markus • March 18, 2020

Deep Dive

A red state template for 100% renewables? Utah bill unites Rocky Mountain Power, cities and activists

An 80% Republican legislature has approved HB 411, which will move more than a third of the state’s electricity load to 100% renewables by 2030.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2020

PJM over-forecasting costs consumers up to $4.4B for unneeded energy capacity: Report

The Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council funded a report that confirms the large price tag of the high reserve margin in PJM's forward capacity auction.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 17, 2020

Opinion

As Congress mulls stimulus, Trump should avoid Obama's 2009 mistake

Today's low capital costs combined with low-cost deployment of proven and workable clean power systems present us an opportunity we will likely never have again, the author writes.

By Reed Hundt • March 17, 2020

Global coal developers at risk of losing over $600B through building new plants: Report

There are 499 GW of new coal generation planned or under construction globally, and all of that power will be undercut by cheaper renewables in all major global markets by 2030, a new analysis finds.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 12, 2020

Indiana passes coal plant support bill as Democrats removed from conference committee deliberations

The final version of the bill keeps the 90-day fuel supply provision out, but reverts back to other elements of the House version that would make coal plants more difficult to retire in the state.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 11, 2020

Clean energy bill marks dramatic transition for Virginia amid dispute over costs to consumers

Virginia state regulators have put a hefty price on implementing the Clean Economy Act, sent to the governor's desk Friday. But supporters contend the bill's benefits haven't been quantified in the analysis.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 10, 2020

Colorado significantly off-track on climate goals, NGOs say, faces transmission and market obstacles

New research indicates that the state could miss its 2025 and 2030 emissions reductions targets by 30 million and 46 million metric tons respectively. 

By Kavya Balaraman • March 10, 2020

SDG&E, SCE say California transport electrification plan could freeze investment, jeopardize state EV goals

The two utilities, along with the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and 19 other parties have asked the CPUC for a stay on the proposed framework and time to file alternative proposals of their own.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 10, 2020

Democratic Senators push to include FERC reform in comprehensive Senate energy bill

Though none of the proposed amendments were added to the bill's updated version, observers say versions of the amendments could resurface in the House.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 09, 2020

Wind, solar and storage take up 95% of ISO-New England interconnection queue, marking 'dramatic shift'

Five years ago, the majority of the queue was natural gas capacity, CEO Gordon van Welie told reporters.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 09, 2020

Virginia passes bill to bring scrutiny to coal plant closures, despite Dominion opposition

Clean energy and consumer advocates call the state Senate's passage of the bill a momentous signal after years of agreeing with the energy giant.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 06, 2020

Renewables, EV tax credits won't be included in Senate energy bill 'unless we have a miracle on the floor': Wyden

"We're not going to win this round," the top Democrat of the Senate Finance Committee said, as House members and clean energy interests push for greater renewables incentives in the Senate's comprehensive energy bill.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 05, 2020

PG&E tells federal judge it can't commit to specific increases in tree-trimming workforce

The utility is also considering creating local operating regions for some everyday gas and electric functions, per PG&E Corp. President and CEO Bill Johnson.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 05, 2020

Deep Dive

Green Mountain Power's pioneering steps in transactive energy raise big questions about DER's value

Peer-to-peer energy transactions could meet policy goals and system needs, if software platforms resolve the complexities of value and reliable operation.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 04, 2020

DOE Secretary holds out hope for new low carbon coal plants as Senate drills him on renewables cuts

Congress is faced with an energy "budget that, frankly, sucks," Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., told Secretary Dan Brouillette during the hearing.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 04, 2020

Senate confirms Danly, but Manchin pledges to hold out for Democratic FERC pairing in future

The Senate confirmed James Danly without a Democratic pairing, while Democrats have expressed their frustration at the increasingly political commission.

By Catherine Morehouse • UPDATED: March 13, 2020 at 10:02 a.m.

CAISO urges CPUC to consider increased interim natural gas needs as part of long-term state transition

California's grid operator said intra-day and seasonal gas usage in the electric sector could rise while the state transitions to 100% clean energy.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 04, 2020

Comprehensive Senate energy bill draws industry, bipartisan support, but lags on tax credits, efficiency

The bill would include 17 demonstration projects for advanced nuclear, carbon capture, long duration storage and geothermal, moving away from the Trump administration's more research-focused funding approach.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 03, 2020

Virginia legislature torn over keeping a Dominion coal plant running past 2030

The Senate and General Assembly are reconciling two versions of a clean energy package, including an amendment that would exempt a newer coal plant in Wise County from retiring in the next decade.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 03, 2020