Regulation & Policy: Page 2

Oregon Supreme Court approves tax to fund state EV rebates

The program will tax auto dealers in order to fund electric vehicle rebates as part of Gov. Kate Brown's 2017 climate change initiative. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 07, 2018

Court tosses construction permits for Atlantic Coast Pipeline

FERC's approval of the 600-mile pipeline was based on a faulty right-of-way permit from the National Park Service, the Fourth Circuit Court ruled, likely halting construction for the $6 billion project. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 06, 2018

FERC halts construction of Mountain Valley Pipeline after court ruling

The decision is the biggest victory yet for opponents of the 300-mile natural gas pipeline, which FERC approved last October. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 06, 2018

Split FERC approves Spire pipeline, brushing aside self-dealing concerns

The only entity that signed contracts for the 65-mile pipeline is an affiliate of the project developer, leading critics to question if the project is truly necessary.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 06, 2018

Opinion

Broadband access: A regulatory call to action to protect utilities against cyber threats

Modernizing utility communications infrastructure to the advanced broadband available today will pay off for decades to come, according to Jack Markell, former Democratic governor of Delaware.

By Jack Markell

Judge declines to block Arizona 50% renewables initiative, but risks remain

Arizonans for Affordable Energy challenged more than 75% of the signatures collected by supporters of the ballot initiative, but a judge says the court doesn't have authority to block them.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 03, 2018

Mayors condemn EPA's proposed freeze on auto emissions standards

The Climate Mayors coalition said the plan is an "unprecedented attack on both the environment and states' rights" and pledged to do more to combat climate change.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 03, 2018

EPA will not weaken Obama-era ozone standards

The decision means industry lawsuits against the rules can move forward, leaving the Trump Department of Justice to defend them. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 03, 2018

EPA proposes to freeze auto emission standards, revoke California EV rules

The move could be met with opposition from utilities, which support pro-EV policies, but the EPA administrator said he is open to compromise with California.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 02, 2018

Report: PG&E considers breaking up company to avoid wildfire liability

The company and its utility subsidiary have been highly critical of California laws that allow for wildfire liability even if standards and regulations are met, warning of the threat of bankruptcy and reorganization.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 02, 2018

Advocates hail passage of Massachusetts clean energy bill but want to take it further

The state's final energy bill is a watered down version of the one passed by the Senate in June.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 02, 2018

Dominion nuke plant eligible for zero carbon resources bid in Connecticut

The company had warned regulators that its Millstone nuclear plant was at risk of shuttering after the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's original RFP wouldn't have allowed it to bid until 2023.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 02, 2018

Massachusetts utilities file US-record offshore wind contracts at $65/MWh

If approved by regulators, utilities say the contracts would save $14/MWh compared with buying renewable energy on the open market. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 02, 2018

Puerto Rico utility's new deal to relieve about $9B of debt

Debt consolidation may help clear the way for privatization of PREPA. News of the deal raised the value of PREPA's bonds by about 40% on Monday. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 01, 2018

DC Circuit tosses challenge to ISO-NE renewable energy market rules

The judges ruled that exemptions to ISO-NE's capacity market price floor that allow renewables to bid in below the minimum level are legal.

By Gavin Bade

How can the US reach the cutting edge of offshore wind R&D? DOE seeks input

Despite the president's rhetoric against wind power, the Energy Department is looking at how it can improve research and development, on and offshore. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 01, 2018

DHS walks back utility cyber warnings as Southern CEO says no grid emergency

Hackers cannot cause widespread power outages today, DHS said, tempering statements the agency made last week warning that cyber criminals could "throw switches" on the grid.

By Gavin Bade • July 31, 2018

Energy storage could take off in Massachusetts with proposed compromise on capacity ownership

The tentative deal would allow owners of residential solar and storage facilities to retain the right to bid the resulting capacity into ISO New England's forward capacity market, if state regulators approve it.

By Peter Maloney • July 31, 2018

Opinion

The shift to renewables can't wait until 2035

Cities and universities play an important role in reducing carbon emissions through sustainable energy practices. But many are baking unreasonable timelines into their plans for carbon neutrality.

By Bryce Smith

Community solar can address renewables accessibility gap, report finds

GTM Research mapped out a vision for community solar for the next few decades, encouraging states and utilities to consider low-to-moderate income households. 

By Catherine Morehouse • July 31, 2018

States say FERC overstepped its bounds in PJM capacity market order

FERC's ruling invalidating the grid operator's market rules stepped into states' jurisdiction over their generation mixes, a broad group of stakeholders said in comments.  

By Gavin Bade • July 31, 2018