Regulation & Policy: Page 223
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UES Electric drops mandatory demand charge proposal, except for new solar customers
Residential demand charges would still be mandatory for new rooftop solar customers, who would also see higher fixed monthly fees and lower net metering rates under the proposed rate plan.
By Peter Maloney • May 17, 2016 -
Washington utilities reach solar incentive cap, foreshadowing net metering limits
The Renewable Energy Cost Recovery Program offers solar customers incentives above net metering, but a number of municipal utilities in the state are halting applications.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 17, 2016 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
TrendlineSustainability
Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.
By Utility Dive staff -
DOE pulls funding for Texas clean coal project
The decision likely kills the Texas Clean Energy Project, which had support from a wide range of backers, including some environmental groups.
By Robert Walton • May 17, 2016 -
Deep Dive
What SolarCity’s new portfolio of grid services can do for utilities
The dominant residential solar installer is moving beyond the rooftop in a bid to become an essential partner for utilities.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 16, 2016 -
Renewables advocates ask Minnesota regulators to streamline DER interconnection
Their proposal calls for fast-tracking small distributed generation and simpler fees.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 16, 2016 -
SolarCity, PSC, Gov. Cuomo handed subpoenas in New York construction probe
A number of other state agencies were also tapped in the construction probe focusing on SolarCity’s new upstate factory.
By Robert Walton • May 16, 2016 -
Hawaii biodiesel plant is 1st in US certified as sustainable
Pacific Biodiesel’s Big Island plant was certified by the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance, following a review that looked at emissions, energy use, water conservation and other factors.
By Robert Walton • May 15, 2016 -
Updated: EPA finalizes methane rules for new oil and gas facilities
The new rule was decried by oil and gas companies but was welcomed by environmentalists, who have long pushed for stricter methane regulations.
By Gavin Bade • May 13, 2016 -
Hawaii solar jobs fall 35% after regulators end retail net metering
Solar installation permit numbers have also fallen, suggesting the new options to replace retail rate remuneration aren’t as effective.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 13, 2016 -
PSE&G to invest $275M in new solar farms on brownfield and landfill sites
If approved, the New Jersey utility will build ten solar farms on brownfield and landfill sites.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 13, 2016 -
CFTC proposes to allow market actors to sue grid operators
The agency has proposed a clarifying amendment to exemptions grid operators received under the Commodities Exchange Act, saying it never intended to limit the ability of private parties to sue.
By Gavin Bade • May 12, 2016 -
Georgia mulls state rules for coal ash waste disposal
After a series of coal ash incidents, Georgia is the latest state to ponder its own guidelines for coal ash waste.
By Krysti Shallenberger • May 12, 2016 -
Deep Dive
Utilities, greens still miles apart on solar valuation, new report shows
The Center for Biological Diversity identified 10 states it says are blocking rooftop solar, but the bigger takeaway is how its perspective on solar valuation differs from those of utilities.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 12, 2016 -
American Transmission Co. reorganizes, splitting Wisconsin, national development arms
Reorganization will protect Wisconsin customers and allow ATC to move ahead on out-of-state builds, the company says.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 12, 2016 -
With Maine solar bill dead, industry waits on regulators for net metering reforms
A recent bill would have instituted a novel incentive structure for solar in Maine, but lawmakers were unable to overrule a veto from Gov. Paul LePage last month.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 12, 2016 -
Deep Dive
An embarrassment of riches? Maui shows why renewables curtailment isn’t all bad
While it’s something to minimize, curtailment is crucial to the functioning of MECO’s grid today, and the goal of reaching 100% renewables by 2045.
By Gavin Bade • May 11, 2016 -
Ohio governor taps Asim Haque to chair PUCO as Andre Porter steps down
Haque takes the helm of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio at a time of profound change for the state’s power system.
By Gavin Bade • May 11, 2016 -
Ohio lawmakers seek further freeze on renewable, efficiency standards
Some lawmakers are pushing to permanently freeze the state’s renewables and efficiency mandates as the end of the current, temporary two-year freeze looms large.
By Krysti Shallenberger • May 11, 2016 -
California regulators reopen San Onofre case over secret settlement talks
After finding that SCE engaged in secret settlement talks with former PUC Chair Michael Peevey, regulators decided to reassess the settlement that left ratepayers to pay $3.3 billion for the closing of the controversial nuclear plant in 2013.
By Krysti Shallenberger • May 11, 2016 -
PJM defends market structure, cautions against state intervention in new report
A new report from the grid operator finds that its capacity market structure is functional — as long as state policies don’t mess it up.
By Gavin Bade • May 11, 2016 -
Wyoming lawmakers to consider raising the only US state tax on wind generation
Lawmakers say they want to make tax rates for renewables and fossil fuel generation comparable, but wind developers claim they already pay higher rates.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 11, 2016 -
Deep Dive
Better together: How an organized market can help clean up the western US grid
Today 38 separate balancing authorities deliver power out West. A new paper says a single market would be more efficient.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 11, 2016 -
US solar company inks deal with China to build 1,000 MW concentrating solar power plant
SolarReserve, who developed the Crescent Dunes CSP project in Nevada, just teamed up with China’s Shenhua Group to build 1,000 MW of solar power.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 11, 2016 -
Deep Dive
It’s the economy: Maryland RPS debate illustrates national divide on clean energy policy
States with RPS laws are doubling down, while those without take little interest. Maryland could help explain why.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 10, 2016 -
Hawaii budgets $1.2M for study of alternative utility business models
If approved by Gov. Ige, the study would follow a separate report that recommended a nonprofit grid operator for the island of Maui.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 10, 2016
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