Regulation & Policy: Page 2

New York proposes rules to speed renewable projects, but local control, other issues could be contentious

The regulations would speed the development of large-scale solar and wind projects, but the renewable industry is expected to take issue with some requirements.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2020

Opinion

In deploying electrified urban transport, look to university campuses

Recognizing universities as urban innovation hubs, particularly for electrified transportation, can aid the transition to a new, better "normal" post-coronavirus.

By Rod Keller • Sept. 17, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Rate Design Reform

From Netflix-like subscriptions to EV-specific policies that encourage charging during off-peak hours, stakeholders are pursuing a variety of rate design options to meet the power sector's emerging challenges and opportunities.

By Utility Dive staff

How to participate in the 2020 Utility Dive Awards

Industry Dive is gearing up for the 2020 Dive Awards. We want to hear your ideas on the executives, utilities and policymakers that stood out.

By Utility Dive Editors • UPDATED: Sept. 28, 2020 at 9:46 a.m.

Senators press FERC nominees on California blackouts, baseload compensation, climate role

Republican senators questioned whether California's higher levels of renewable resources led to last month's blackouts, and Democrats pushed the nominees on how the commission should consider climate change in its deliberations.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 17, 2020

Deep Dive

Duke-solar industry breakthrough settlement aims to end rooftop solar cost shift debates

A collaboration among Vote Solar, Sunrun, Southeastern environmental advocates and Duke Energy has produced a rate design that could be a new paradigm for pairing and growing rooftop solar and demand response.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 16, 2020

California governor pushes to fast track climate goals as wildfires burn the state

Reaching 100% clean energy by 2045 is "inadequate" to meet the challenges the state faces, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 15, 2020

7 investment priorities for a green COVID-19 recovery: report

The Coalition for Urban Transitions analyzed how the allocation of stimulus funding across a number of environmental sectors can aid the international COVID-19 response.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 14, 2020

'Aggressive' federal aid would push US to net zero emissions by 2050: report

America's Pledge released its fourth-annual U.S. climate analysis, finding to its "great surprise" that the pandemic is not slowing climate progress.

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 14, 2020

FERC reverses 40 years of PURPA precedent in ruling on small solar definition, punts on storage question

The commission upended precedent that found a facility's net solar capacity must be no larger than the 80 MW threshold.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 14, 2020

House to probe US lag on leveraging clean energy for COVID-19 recovery, consider bipartisan energy bill

As the U.S. diverges from other countries in its efforts to marry economic recovery with climate policy, a House subcommittee is planning to hold a hearing on efforts in the EU and elsewhere.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 11, 2020

Public power leaders see lasting effects from 2020 disruptions with new approaches to resilience, equity

The new normal won't look like the old normal, as executives say major shifts that began in 2020 will continue to shape industry trends in the year to come.

By Emma Penrod • Sept. 11, 2020

Deep Dive

For nuclear plants operating on thin margins, growing climate risks prompt tough choices

Climate change creates a number of problems for nuclear power plants that some academics say the industry needs to address soon.

By Matthew Bandyk • Sept. 10, 2020

Opinion

What do regulators want most from grid modernization proposals? A compelling business case

Regulators should, at a minimum, review utility requests to pre-approve broad grid mod projects like prudent potential business investors, not like innovators, writes Rhode Island Public Utilities Commissioner Abigail Anthony.

By Abigail Anthony • Sept. 09, 2020

FERC details carbon pricing conference as groups blast renewables, consumer and women exclusions

Of the 30 panelists scheduled to participate at the upcoming conference, the majority are energy companies, academics and grid operator representatives. Only three women are on the agenda.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 09, 2020

Opinion

Electric vehicle battery sustainability is a must to meet climate ambitions

Better governance of the extraction of EV minerals is essential to the future of mineral-producing countries, the electric vehicle industry and transportation globally, the authors write.

By Ethan N. Elkind and Patrick R. P. Heller • Sept. 08, 2020

Massachusetts top court denies NextEra bid to block state's PPAs with Hydro-Québec

The PPAs are critical to the development of the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission project, which has faced challenges from independent power generators trying to protect their older assets in the region.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 04, 2020

Deep Dive

FERC summit highlights reliability concerns for renewables + storage, but has California found a solution?

In a day-long FERC conference on renewables+storage hybrids earlier this summer, system operators focused on reliability while advocates described new opportunities.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 03, 2020

Duke IRP includes scenarios to reduce carbon emissions 70% by 2030

One 70% reduction scenario would not add any more natural gas, and another would add 2,650 MW of offshore wind by 2030. But its base case scenarios continue gas buildout into the 2030s.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 02, 2020

EPA finalizes changes to coal ash, wastewater limits expected to save industry $140M annually

A group representing 163 utilities and three major U.S. utility trade groups had pressed EPA to update requirements issued during the Obama Administration, saying compliance costs for a number of rules were "staggering."

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 02, 2020

Opinion

No kowtowing to utilities: setting the record straight on Colorado Consumer Counsel's COVID actions

A former Colorado utility commissioner's claims that consumer advocates "treat as a foregone conclusion" the idea that consumers will be on the hook for the consequences of the pandemic is not true, the author writes.

By Cindy Schonhaut • Sept. 02, 2020

Alabama's increase of residential solar charges will slow installations, advocates say

Solar proponents say Alabama Power's monthly charge has stymied rooftop solar development, but commissioners argued for an increase in the fee.

By John Funk • Sept. 02, 2020

California PUC votes to fire executive director after contentious meeting, accusations of retaliation

CPUC Executive Director Alice Stebbins said the commission wanted to get rid of her because she "blew the whistle" on $200 million in uncollected fees.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 01, 2020

NuScale small modular reactor design becomes first to get NRC safety approval

With the safety review complete, the company plans to move forward with a 12-module plant at Idaho National Laboratory.

By Guy Burdick • Sept. 01, 2020

Deep Dive

As utility collaboration with charging companies rises, emerging differences could impede EV growth

To accelerate EV charging infrastructure deployment, former competitors are working together, but new questions threaten to lead to dissension.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 31, 2020

Opinion

California's blackouts highlight need for electric reliability insurance market

Oxford researchers address California's power supply crunch in a way that would guide investment for reliability provisions based on consumer preference.

By Rahmat Poudineh & Michael Hochberg • Aug. 31, 2020