Regulation & Policy: Page 2

Montana case could set FERC precedent for paired storage treatment under PURPA

A utility and developer are battling at FERC over whether wind-plus-storage facilities qualify under the federal law, which compels utilities to purchase power from small renewable generators. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 09, 2018

UN: We have 12 years left to take action on climate change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said limiting global warming to 1.5°C will require "unprecedented changes" in a highly-anticipated report.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 08, 2018

Arizona regulator wants to adopt 80% clean energy plan before gas moratorium ends

Commissioner Andy Tobin wants to have the Arizona Energy Modernization Plan adopted as a final rule by the middle of February — significantly faster than typical rulemaking proceedings.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 08, 2018

Michigan regulators clear Consumers PURPA rates, green tariff programs

Solar advocates say the avoided cost rates, on hold since November, will bring more certainty for potential investors.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 08, 2018

Dominion, SCANA inch closer to merger with North Carolina PSC staff deal

A settlement with regulatory staff puts the merger on firm ground in the state, but the real drama remains in South Carolina, where Dominion wants customers to pay for part of SCANA's failed nuclear project. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 08, 2018

Mountain Valley stalled, Atlantic Sunrise cleared for service in busy pipeline week

The diverging fortunes of the two Appalachian projects illustrate the struggle between environmental advocates and natural gas companies over the siting and construction of new pipelines.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 05, 2018

Brattle: Nevada could cost-effectively deploy 1 GW of energy storage by 2030

The state is revamping the planning process for its utilities, and the Public Utilities Commission is considering establishing an energy storage target.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 04, 2018

Washington regulators approve tight rules on community solar

Some community solar advocates are raising concerns about the regulatory tape small entities could face in order to establish new projects.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 04, 2018

Coal lobby pleased as Trump nominates ally McNamee to FERC

The Department of Energy official is expected to align closer with White House priorities than former Commissioner Robert Powelson, who stepped down in August. 

By Gavin Bade • UPDATED: Oct. 4, 2018 at 9:40 a.m.

Opinion

FERC's electric enforcement process is a procedural quagmire in need of reform

After repeated losses, FERC may consider reforming its electric enforcement procedures, but any changes could look a lot different than you think. Poorly conceived reforms could lead to an existential crisis in Federal Power Act enforcement.

By Wesley J. Heath

Connecticut agencies say Millstone 'at risk' as Dominion seeks boost in clean energy RFP

If the state's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority agrees Dominion's Millstone nuclear plant is 'at risk,' it could receive above-market rates in Connecticut's solicitation for zero emission resources.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 03, 2018

PJM recasts capacity repricing in market reform filing at FERC

The generator is trying for a second time to boost revenues for coal and gas generators in its capacity market after federal regulators threw out its market rules in June.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 03, 2018

S&P downgrades Georgia Power's partners in Vogtle nuclear project

After hammering out a last-minute agreement to keep the nuclear project alive, the munis and cooperative utilities in the Vogtle nuclear project are hit with downgrades.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 02, 2018

EPA MATS rollback threatens DOE carbon capture priorities, critics warn

Allowing utilities to stop using pollution scrubbers mandated under the EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards could raise the price for coal plants to adopt carbon capture, proponents of the technology said. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 02, 2018

Opinion

When PJM's capacity market stops working for consumers is it time to leave?

Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Brien Sheahan urges states with renewable energy mandates or nuclear subsidies to reevaluate their participation in the largest U.S. electricity market.

By Brien J. Sheahan​

ISO-NE to focus on market solutions for winter energy security in 2019

ISO New England is considering an "interim compensation treatment for periods associated with reliability reviews for fuel security," the grid operator says in its 2019 Annual Work Plan.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 02, 2018

Report: As EPA rewrites mercury rules, new cost-benefit approach could curtail future regulations

The proposed rewrite of Obama-era pollution standards does not consider "co-benefits," The New York Times reports, which could set a precedent for less stringent emissions rules in the future. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 01, 2018

PJM: 'Significant chunk' of renewables to come from corporate procurement

Direct purchases from corporations are the largest area of renewable energy growth in the RTO, said senior market strategist Andrew Levitt.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 01, 2018

PSEG unveils 6-year clean energy plan, spending $2.8B on energy efficiency

The $4 billion plan includes investments in energy storage, smart meters and electric vehicle infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2018