Regulation & Policy: Page 2

FERC vacancy allows Democrats to win rare battle over ISO-NE market rules

Commissioner Kevin McIntyre did not vote, allowing Democrats to push through acceptance of an ISO-NE proposal to treat fuel secure resources as price takers in its upcoming capacity auction. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 04, 2018

Republican introduces 'technology neutral' tax credit bill to boost energy innovation, efficiency

Rep. Tom Reed, R-NY, proposed the Energy Sector Innovation Credit Act, which he says will encourage the U.S. energy market to stop "picking winners and losers."

By Robert Walton • Dec. 03, 2018

ALEC members reject electricity competition resolution after EEI opposition

The vote at the meeting of the private conservative policy group illustrates the ongoing debate between backers of market competition and incumbent utilities keen to preserve monopoly power. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 03, 2018

1M EVs in the US 'a step in our journey' to combat climate change

Speakers at an event celebrating the milestone also noted electric vehicles could play a large role in the fight against climate change and carbon emissions.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 03, 2018

Dive Awards

Policymaker of the Year: Kevin McIntyre, FERC

The work that McIntyre started during his tenure as FERC chairman will define the legacy of the commission under this administration.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 03, 2018

Dive Awards

The Utility Dive Awards for 2018

The awards recognize the utility industry's top disruptors and innovators. These executives and companies are key leaders in the sector's pivotal transition.

By Utility Dive Team

California regulators announce probe into PG&E corporate structure

The move comes as California fire officials investigate the cause of the Camp Fire, which has killed 88 people and burned more than 150,000 acres.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 30, 2018

EU focuses on energy sector with plan to go 'climate neutral' by 2050

The report presents eight scenarios to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All of them indicate a rise in energy consumption, but rely more heavily on alternative fuels and energy storage.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 30, 2018

California ISO sketches path to day-ahead trading in Energy Imbalance Market

The grid operator is close to finalizing a three-year "roadmap" with market changes it considers necessary because the current focus on summer peak demand is failing to secure the optimal mix of resources.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 30, 2018

McConnell moves McNamee FERC vote to Wednesday

The delay in the vote, originally scheduled for Monday at 5:30, is due to memorial ceremonies in the Capitol for former President George H.W. Bush.

By Gavin Bade • UPDATED: Dec. 3, 2018 at 4:21 p.m.

SDG&E urges quick action by California Supreme Court on wildfire cost recovery

Saying a state appellate judge that previously ruled against the company should have recused herself due to a conflict of interest, the utility filed a petition this week to recover $379 million from 2007 wildfire costs.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 30, 2018

California must slash vehicle emissions to reach climate goal, CARB finds

The state will have to significantly cut transportation emissions to meet Gov. Jerry Brown’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2045, the California Air Resources Board found.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 29, 2018

FERC moves to narrow jurisdiction over utility mergers after FPA changes

Newly signed amendments to the Federal Power Act would set a $10 million minimum for the value of mergers and acquisitions that must receive pre-approval from FERC.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 29, 2018

DC City Council unanimously advances 100% renewable energy bill

The Clean Energy Omnibus would also mandate that all public transport and fleet vehicles in the District be zero-emissions by 2045, including those operated for Uber and Lyft. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 28, 2018

Podcast

Electric Power Show Ep. 2: PJM CEO Andy Ott says 'the game has changed'

The CEO of the nation's largest wholesale power market talks fuel security, plant bailouts, capacity markets and how state policy preferences are putting stress on the market's founding principles. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 28, 2018

Senate committee advances FERC nominee McNamee despite 'unfortunate' comments

The Energy and Natural Resources Committee set up a full Senate vote on McNamee a week after the release of a video in which the nominee criticizes renewable energy and portrays environmental groups as tyrannical. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 27, 2018

Nuclear industry pouring money into Georgia PSC runoff

The primary issue is the treatment of Southern Company's Vogtle nuclear project, with Democratic candidate Lindy Miller opposed to ratepayers continuing to pay for cost overruns.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 27, 2018

Senate committee to push ahead with McNamee vote despite Democrat objections

Democrats want the FERC nominee to answer for comments criticizing renewable energy and environmental groups, but Republicans on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee declined to delay a Tuesday confirmation vote. 

By Gavin Bade • UPDATED: Nov. 27, 2018 at 8:01 a.m.

Federal climate report: US energy, transportation sectors not prepared for warming

Experts say humans have about a decade to prevent the most catastrophic impacts of climate change and the U.S. is behind the necessary pace of emissions reductions.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 26, 2018

Opinion

Brown mandates a 'greener' Golden State

As California inches closer to a renewable-only grid, S&P Global Ratings Director of Sustainable Finance Michael Ferguson assesses which assets from a credit perspective could stand to either benefit or face heightened risks.

By Michael Ferguson

FERC rejects generator proposal for CAISO capacity market

Generators said growing renewable energy is putting them out of business, but FERC determined they failed to identify where CAISO market rules are unreasonable or any serious reliability problems that could result.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 21, 2018

FERC nominee McNamee slams renewables, green groups in Feb. video

The nominee told Texas lawmakers that renewable energy "screws up the whole physics of the grid" and portrayed industry lawsuits with environmental groups as a "constant battle between liberty and tyranny."

By Gavin Bade • UPDATED: Nov. 21, 2018 at 9:02 a.m.