Regulation & Policy: Page 2

Deep Dive

APS's plan for closing coal plants could be a gamechanger, analysts say, but who will pay?

The company's current rate case includes $144.45 million for communities impacted by its proposed coal closures, the biggest-ever such U.S. utility commitment, but customers would pay over 80% of the plan.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 18, 2020

Fed joins global climate-focused network of central banks

Fed membership in the Network for Greening the Financial System was one of 53 actions a CFTC panel suggested this year to manage climate-related risk and signals the central bank is taking the fight more seriously.

By Dan Ennis • Dec. 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

Pacific Northwest poised to test 100% renewables as utilities weigh gas vs. storage

The Northwest has perhaps the best starting point of any region in the country to go to 100% renewable energy, but a delicate balance between the costs of storage and the costs of natural gas may determine the feasibility of that goal.

By Matthew Bandyk • Dec. 17, 2020

What Pete Buttigieg would bring to the Transportation Department

A $1 trillion infrastructure plan, including billions in funding for EV charging, that Buttigieg unveiled in January as part of his presidential campaign hints at what could be the agency's future priorities.

By Sarah Fuller • Dec. 16, 2020

Clean energy groups cheer reports Biden will tap former Michigan Gov. Granholm to lead DOE

Granholm is known for staunchly supporting the automotive industry — which observers say could be an asset as the new administration attempts to boost the adoption of electric vehicles.

By Robert Walton • UPDATED: Dec. 18, 2020 at 9:34 a.m.

Opinion

What a corporate tax rate increase could mean for utility ratemaking

Utility executives and regulators need to use this time of uncertainty to evaluate the impact of potential tax rate changes, especially considering COVID-19 financial pressures, disconnect moratoriums, and collectibility risks, the authors write. 

By Kimberly Johnston and Michael J. Reno • Dec. 16, 2020

Virginia draws criticism for approving new natural gas power plant near predominantly Black community

The plant at Norfolk Naval Shipyard would provide critical reliability and steam, replacing waste-burning generation, the Navy says. But community critics say it will harm a community already disproportionately subjected to pollution.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 15, 2020

Q&A

Boston Mayor Walsh shares a vision of national climate action

Marty Walsh spoke with Smart Cities Dive about balancing his new role as Climate Mayors chair while addressing climate mitigation needs in Boston.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 15, 2020

Duke won't foot its up to $9B coal ash cleanup bill, but shareholders could still absorb half, court rules

The court found the commission erred in its rejection of an "equitable sharing" proposal that would split the cost of cleanup between ratepayers and shareholders — and not allow the utility to profit from it.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 15, 2020

California ratepayer advocate recommends $124M SoCalGas fine for bucking CPUC directive on energy efficiency lobbying

According to the group, Southern California Gas violated a 2018 decision from regulators that barred the utility from advocating for building codes and appliance standards.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 15, 2020

Duke, Dominion, Southern file SEEM proposal with state regulators, plan to file with FERC by end of year

The energy exchange proposal comes in the midst of proposals in North and South Carolina to open up the region to more competition.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 11, 2020

Newsom taps CPUC's Liane Randolph to lead California Air Resources Board

Randolph's experience with the CPUC's integrated resource planning process will be a benefit in her new role, stakeholders say. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 11, 2020

Maryland, Illinois may pursue legislative MOPR exit, despite new FERC nearing

"We wish that a new FERC could just simply wave its wand and get rid of the MOPR," said Illinois' consumer advocate. But "we can't wait for a new FERC to solve the mess that the previous FERC created."

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 11, 2020

Green buildings 'unheralded hero' in emissions fight, experts say

President-elect Joe Biden's plan to boost energy efficiency in the sector promises to create up to 1 million jobs and mitigate the effects of climate change, elected officials said during a U.S. Green Building Council webinar. 

By Chris Teale • Dec. 10, 2020

To meet Biden 2035 emissions target, utilities will need to pick up the pace, report finds

While many U.S. utilities have set corporate emissions goals, most self-imposed deadlines are far beyond the Biden administration's goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2035, according to the Energy and Policy Institute.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 10, 2020

CAISO focuses on summer 2021 as final analysis of August blackouts nears completion

It's essential that the state develops "a clear-eyed understanding" of what led to the blackouts, CAISO President and CEO Elliot Mainzer said on Wednesday. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 10, 2020

In this Congress or the next, experts see opportunity to boost electric investment and secure the grid

The tight balance of power in both the House and Senate means any action must be bipartisan. Questions about spending will need to be addressed.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 09, 2020

Opinion

Utility regulators wake up to the long-term risks of gas

Regulators are open to changing the status quo and pushing for building electrification, writes Rocky Mountain Institute Principal Mike Henchen.

By Mike Henchen • Dec. 09, 2020

Senate works to pass comprehensive energy bill in 2020 as renewables sector vies for more aid

If approved, the bill would likely be a slimmed down version of what Democrats and the clean energy industry want to see in comprehensive energy legislation, according to Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 09, 2020

California sketches plan to wean off fossil fuels during wildfire-related power outages

The approach is part of a proposed decision that would implement new rates, rules and tariffs for microgrids.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 09, 2020

Dive Awards

Regulator of the Year: Neil Chatterjee, FERC

It's hard to imagine an agency that has had more effect on the power sector this year than the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and it's impossible to divorce that impact from its now-former chairman: Neil Chatterjee.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 09, 2020

Dive Awards

The Utility Dive Awards for 2020

The winners exemplified leadership in a time of crisis by working toward economic means of transitioning the power sector.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 09, 2020

Opinion

Out with the old, in with the new: Why regionalized grid coordination is inevitable

Clearly, the traditional energy regulatory structures are an outdated solution to a modern problem, write Colorado State Senator Chris Hansen and former New Mexico utility commissioner Doug Howe.

By Chris Hansen and Doug Howe • Dec. 08, 2020

Are utilities legally required to plan for climate change? 'The devil is in the details.'

Utilities could be on the hook for damages related to climate change, according to a new report from the Environmental Defense Fund. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 08, 2020

California's pathway to 100% clean electricity begins to take shape, but reliability concerns persist

Achieving a 100% clean electricity goal by 2045 is technically achievable, a draft report from the state's energy agencies concludes.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 07, 2020