Regulation & Policy: Page 2
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California proposes eliminating simplified energy resource plans, but SCE says more is needed
Southern California Edison says it supports a stronger IRP process, but cautioned that eliminating alternative plans would require regulators to adjust greenhouse gas planning targets and demand forecasts.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2019 -
California proposes IOUs collect $900M annually for wildfire fund, with one major hurdle for PG&E
The $21 billion fund would be seeded by both shareholders and ratepayers, but Pacific Gas & Electric would need to exit bankruptcy to access the money.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2019 -
Deep DiveCalifornia wants a carbon-free economy by 2045: Can floating offshore wind help it get there?
New technology could bring ocean wind when there is no sun to recharge depleted batteries.
By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 2019 -
A Trump tariff boost? Georgia solar manufacturing plant will be North America's largest
Korea-based Hanwha Q Cells' new plant will produce 12,000 solar panels a day. But solar advocates contend the sector would have done better without the tariffs.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 24, 2019 -
Solar tax credit extension would add 82 GW by 2030, SEIA forecasts
A 10-year extension would lead to $87 billion of private sector investment and 308 GW of solar installations by 2030, the solar energy industries association.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 24, 2019 -
Deep DiveNortheastern utilities aim to 'crush and flatten' system peaks as DERs boost grid efficiency
DER providers and utilities have found shared market interests in New England, leading to cooperative BYOD programs that provide a range of benefits for customers and the power system.
By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2019 -
FERC proposal would 'gut' PURPA, could lower rates utilities pay to solar developers
The proposed rule would allow states to set the avoided cost rate based on changing market conditions, which would lessen small solar's ability to compete in the market, renewable energy groups contend.
By Catherine Morehouse • UPDATED: Oct. 8, 2019 at 8:11 a.m. -
SponsoredHow better data management improves utility efficiency, compliance and decision-making
Proper maintenance and upkeep of critical infrastructure are no longer delayed or even compromised simply because paper records about past work and tests are difficult, if not impossible, to locate.
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Trump administration threatens California emissions authority as state continues EV-focus
California passed six EV-related bills this legislative session, but its zero emissions vehicle rebate program could be threatened by EPA's actions.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 19, 2019 -
Virginia Gov. Northam orders 100% carbon-free power by 2050
The governor's order also calls for the state to reach 30% renewable energy and reduce its power consumption 10% below 2006 levels by 2022.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 18, 2019 -
PJM capacity market plan to increase costs $8.4B, market monitor estimates
PJM's plan, currently before FERC, is more of a worst-case scenario regarding cost increases, according to Monitoring Analytics, which is uniquely positioned to calculate the precise cost.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 18, 2019 -
OpinionBurlington, Vermont's net zero energy roadmap showcases how utilities can lead on climate
The city's goal of eliminating fossil fuel use across the electric, thermal and ground transportation sectors, may be one of the most ambitious local climate goals in the nation, writes Burlington Electric's Darren Springer.
By Darren Springer • Sept. 18, 2019 -
Avangrid case ban for FERC's Glick jeopardizes quorum for PJM capacity market, other rules
The commissioner announced last Thursday that he was mistakenly told he would not have to recuse himself from cases involving the Northeast utility after February 2018.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 17, 2019 -
OpinionMOPR Madness: 2 wrongs don't make a right
Regardless of the exact cost of PJM's plan to address state subsidy impacts on its capacity market, the amount is large and unnecessary, Electricity Consumers Resource Council's Devin Hartman writes.
By Devin Hartman • Sept. 13, 2019 -
California proposes 2.5 GW procurement, gas plants extensions to ensure reliability
More than 4 GW of gas plants in the state are expected to retire by 2021, but the CPUC wants to extend their environmental compliance dates until new resources are brought online.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 13, 2019 -
Louisiana utilities to pay less for rooftop solar power under new net metering rules
The changes will also allow utilities to recover any lost revenues from the excess power provided by rooftop solar, "a pretty remarkable turn," says one opponent.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 13, 2019 -
Michigan urges MISO, PJM to improve regional reliability after Consumers compressor station fire
In a letter to the grid operators, the state's governor and head regulator called for quicker interconnection processes to improve regional resource diversity and a reexamination of demand response capabilities.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 12, 2019 -
Opinion
Redefining utility affordability: CPUC pursues broad approach to guide decisions
"Although the CPUC currently considers bill impacts in our individual decisions — such as General Rate Cases — we do not assess the cumulative effects on consumers' ability to pay," writes Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen.
By Clifford Rechtschaffen • Sept. 12, 2019 -
Deep DiveAs utilities scramble to manage explosive DER growth, is power grid autonomy a solution?
The U.S. electric grid could face hundreds of millions of distributed resource deployments in the near future. But optimizing these data points may exceed human ability.
By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 11, 2019 -
Bipartisan Senate bill allocates $100M to ease residential solar, storage permitting
The bill from Sens. Susan Collins and Martin Heinrich would direct the Energy Department to create the Distributed Energy Opportunity Board, to streamline local permitting and inspection for qualifying systems.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 10, 2019 -
OpinionPJM policy to add $5.7B cost to capacity market? We don't think so
The consulting firm Grid Strategies recently found significant cost impacts from PJM's proposed minimum offer price rule. The heads of PJM Power Providers Group and the Electric Power Supply Association dispute that.
By Glen Thomas and Todd A. Snitchler • Sept. 09, 2019 -
Arizona's chief utility regulator pressures APS to cut political spending
A lack of action by Arizona Public Service and its parent company, Pinnacle West, could impact the utility's next rate proceeding, according to Arizona Corporation Commissioner Bob Burns.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 09, 2019 -
NERC finds first remote hacker interference on US grid from cyberattack
A March cyberattack resulted in a denial of service condition at a "low-impact" control center and multiple remote generation sites, according to newly released analysis.
By HJ Mai • Sept. 09, 2019 -
FirstEnergy Solutions asks Ohio Supreme Court to block proposed referendum on nuke bailout law
An anti-bailout group has been trying to get the referendum on the state's 2020 ballot.
By HJ Mai • Sept. 06, 2019 -
Cleco, SWEPCO shift coal plant use, target 2.8 GW renewables in latest resource plans
Southwestern Electric Power and Cleco Power, which co-own the Dolet Hills power plant, have adjusted the generator to seasonal dispatch in light of increasing costs for the fuel and other factors.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 06, 2019
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