Regulation & Policy: Page 2

PNM: Carbon capture would raise San Juan transition cost to $6B, as PRC, legislator battle rages

A proposal to lengthen the coal plant's life through what would be the largest carbon capture project to date is deemed too expensive by its majority owner and raises environmental concerns.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 25, 2019

PG&E says power shutoffs averted hundreds of fire risks, but cities blast lack of coordination

The utility did not tell San Jose officials which geographical areas would lose power and did not allow Sonoma County representatives into its emergency operations center, among other concerns for local officials.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 25, 2019

PJM, NYISO and ISO-NE pay $1.4B annually for excess capacity: Report

Resource adequacy in the Northeast region is determined by grid operators, not states, and it's leading to higher reserve margins, according to Grid Strategies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 22, 2019

Democrats move to take 100% clean energy push national with new bill

The legislation would ​require all sectors of the economy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, but gas and hydro groups stress the need for a diverse energy portfolio in any climate solution.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 22, 2019

EPA estimates proposal to relax power plant wastewater standards will save utilities $312M a year

Groups like Earthjustice fear the agency's proposed standards will put at risk hundreds of millions of dollars in annual public health benefits stemming from a 2015 update to the limits that never went into effect.

By Larry Pearl • Nov. 22, 2019

Can carbon capture save the San Juan coal plant?

A proceeding before New Mexico regulators begs the question of when and how the 940 MW plant will retire, and the decision may leave mandates under the state's landmark clean energy law behind.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 21, 2019

California groups challenge Sempra rate decisions allowing recovery of 'charitable contributions'

The decisions, involving San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas, break with decades of precedent, according to The Utility Reform Network and other advocates.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2019

Glick asks for return to 'nonpartisan' FERC as Senate advances Trump's pick

"I hope we can return back to the days when ... FERC used to be able to work as a nonpartisan entity," the sole Democrat FERC commissioner told a crowd of state regulators.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 20, 2019

PG&E challenges central tenet of bankruptcy law as it presses judge to reject California liability standards

PG&E hasn't demonstrated that regulators would prevent wildfire cost recovery if the utility is a "prudent operator," the federal bankruptcy judge found.

By Kavya Balaraman • UPDATED: Dec. 2, 2019 at 1:55 p.m.

Opinion

PURPA is undermining the clean energy transition. Colorado has a better way

The most abusive manipulation of PURPA is its use by Qualifying Facilities to force utilities into lengthy "must-take" contracts, with above-market rates that are locked in for years or decades, the former head of Colorado's PUC writes.

By Joshua Epel • Nov. 19, 2019

Hawaii regulators call out HELCO cost controls in initial rate hike denial

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission's interim order denied a modest revenue increase for Hawaii Electric Light Co. An evidentiary hearing is slated for next month, and the decision could be changed.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 19, 2019

NYC, LA, DC and 23 states sue EPA over vehicle emission standards

The states and cities are suing the EPA, which has moved to block California's ability to set its own vehicle efficiency standards.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 19, 2019

Opinion

Time to move away from old precedents in FERC pipeline reviews

Maintaining the status quo does not engender confidence that FERC is only approving pipeline projects that are truly needed, consistent with the “public convenience and necessity,” writes Analysis Group's Sue Tierney.

By Sue Tierney • Nov. 19, 2019

PJM taps former Texas utility, natural gas provider exec as CEO

Former Direct Energy Home President Manu Asthana will lead the grid operator starting Jan. 1 as it tackles several priorities, including implementing a FERC order to allow energy storage to compete in its market.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 19, 2019

Deep Dive

New money: Green banks and green bonds are bringing billions to utilities for the energy transition

The financial mechanisms are bringing investors to renewables and distributed energy as utilities, co-ops and munis move away from uneconomic legacy assets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 19, 2019

Generators call on PJM to expedite delayed capacity auction, once new rules are set

FERC still needs to approve capacity market reforms, leaving the grid operator in limbo with regard to its annual auction.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2019

Lyft adds 200 EVs to Denver rental program

EV-friendly governmental actions prompted the deployment in the city, which the company said is one of the largest in the country. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 18, 2019

Senate approves energy secretary nominee who pledged support for baseload power

Dan Brouillette, former deputy secretary of energy, told senators he had no involvement with the Ukraine scandal that led to former Sec. Rick Perry's resignation.

By Kavya Balaraman • UPDATED: Dec. 3, 2019 at 9:10 a.m.

CPUC demands PG&E defend power shut-off actions, launches investigation into all IOUs

Regulators want PG&E to show why it should not be fined for violating communication protocols during planned outages in October and November. It could be fined up to $100,000 for each offense.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 14, 2019

What will your city's climate feel like in 2080?

At current emissions rates, New York summers are projected to feel nearly 10 degrees warmer. Learn how 10 city climates are projected to feel in 60 years.

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 13, 2019

Cuomo threatens to revoke National Grid's license to provide gas in NYC due to hookup moratorium

The governor's actions also affect the credit ratings of Consolidated Edison and other New York utilities, because it suggests "a heightened willingness to intervene in utility regulation," Moody's Investors Service said Nov. 18.​

By Kavya Balaraman • UPDATED: Nov. 19, 2019 at 10:10 a.m.

Incentives spur rapid storage growth in New York, outpacing distributed solar expansion: NYSERDA CEO

NYSERDA has been comparing the pace of its storage incentive program, aimed at bringing developers into the state, with the New York Sun program for distributed solar.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 08, 2019

Florida eases financing for billions in storm hardening spending, retains energy efficiency program

The Public Service Commission voted on Tuesday to allow utilities to bypass the stringent rate review previously required to add storm expenses to base rates.

By Lynn Freehill-Maye • Nov. 06, 2019

Congressional Policy Tracker: Everything you need to know from carbon capture to wind energy

Renewable energy developers are lobbying for tax credit extensions while Republican leaders seek bipartisan research-focused solutions to support advanced nuclear, carbon capture and energy storage.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • UPDATED: Dec. 2, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.

Sen. Manchin 'fighting' for White House nomination of Democratic FERC candidate

The independent energy regulatory agency has two vacancies but President Donald Trump only nominated FERC general counsel James Danly for the open Republican seat.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 06, 2019