Regulation & Policy: Page 3


  • Nuclear power plant and transmission lines
    Image attribution tooltip
    zhongguo via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    The bipartisan ADVANCE Act is boosting US nuclear. What does the industry want next?

    Nuclear executives and analysts reflect on the landmark law’s expected benefits while gaming out the next wave of policy support — and a future where it’s no longer necessary.

    By Brian Martucci • Sept. 24, 2024
  • Palisades nuclear power plant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Holtec International
    Image attribution tooltip

    Palisades nuclear plant restart on track for October 2025 despite NRC petition: Holtec International

    The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is requesting comments this month on a request from residents living near Palisades for a generic rulemaking process for nuclear reactor recommissioning.

    By Brian Martucci • Sept. 23, 2024
  • Solar and wind generation in the desert. Explore the Trendline
    Image attribution tooltip
    adamkaz via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    The Energy Transition to Renewables

    New policy and business actions are giving a significant boost to renewable energy in the U.S., but opposition is growing and grid interconnection, permitting, labor and other challenges remain.

    By Utility Dive staff
  • An aerial view of a nuclear power plant next to a river.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Marque1313.
    Image attribution tooltip

    A fast-track PJM interconnection review could speed Three Mile Island restart: Constellation CFO

    Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, D, urged the PJM Interconnection on Friday to adopt expedited interconnection studies for shovel-ready projects.

    By Sept. 23, 2024
  • A person in a suit stands in front of a crowd of people holding signs that say "Trump 2024" and "Road to Victory."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    How a 2nd Trump administration could ‘jeopardize’ Inflation Reduction Act climate funds

    If elected, could Donald Trump claw back or withhold funds from communities? Experts from Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law offer insight.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 23, 2024
  • A power plant with smoke stacks at the edge of a river.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Acroterion is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    PJM rejects call to include RMR plants in capacity auctions to lower prices

    However, the grid operator said it plans to soon propose an expedited framework to fast-track certain generation interconnection projects.

    By Sept. 23, 2024
  • Wind farm with transmission lines.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Rolf Wittke via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Permitting reform’s false choice

    Any benefits to green infrastructure that would be gained by undoing federal protections are likely to be more than offset by the proliferation of fossil fuels.

    By David E. Adelman • Sept. 20, 2024
  • FERC headquarters
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Esme Howland
    Image attribution tooltip

    FERC rejects CPower’s challenge to PJM demand response rules, plus 4 other open meeting takeaways

    CPower had argued that PJM’s rules are a “Catch-22” that effectively block large-scale residential demand response aggregation, potentially increasing energy and capacity prices.

    By Updated Sept. 23, 2024
  • Tesla's pre-assembled Megapack, with battery moduled, bi-directional inverters and thermal management systems, controls.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Tesla
    Image attribution tooltip

    PJM is blocking battery storage interconnection pathway: renewable energy group report

    PJM could unlock “tens of thousands of megawatts” of additional capacity with certain rule changes consistent with FERC requirements, said Gabel Associates’ Michael Borgatti, who co-authored a report on the topic for ACORE.

    By Updated Sept. 20, 2024
  • Renewable Energy Image Photo
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Renewable energy claims under scrutiny: Preparing for the updated FTC Green Guides

    Public utilities and energy companies, in particular, should brace for increased scrutiny of their environmental claims.

    By Shawane L. Lee • Sept. 19, 2024
  • Ground view of metal and glass buildings
    Image attribution tooltip
    samxmeg via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Misguided DOE rules on fossil fuel use will harm human health and risk national security

    Two recent DOE actions will effectively ban more resilient building solutions like microgrids and combined heat and power that are among the cleanest, most versatile and efficient ways to power buildings.

    By Cameron Brooks • Sept. 18, 2024
  • An electric meter.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by artisanalpv is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Exelon utilities urge Maryland PSC to keep multiyear rate process

    The commission staff says forward-looking rates shift risks to consumers. Maryland’s ratepayer advocate wants to end the process.

    By Sept. 18, 2024
  • Inside Detail of Nuclear Reactor
    Image attribution tooltip
    E+ via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    NRC exemption for Hermes 2 test reactor shows nuclear licensing ‘progress’: NIA

    NRC’s decision against a full environmental impact statement shows its progress on more efficiently and effectively licensing advanced nuclear technologies, Nuclear Innovation Alliance’s Patrick White said.

    By Brian Martucci • Sept. 17, 2024
  • A transmission line tower and wind turbines in Illinois.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Allkindza via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    The Energy Permitting Reform Act is our best shot at advancing critical climate goals

    The bill would be a crucial step toward America realizing its potential as a 21st century clean energy superpower, but only if we can put our desires for a perfect policy aside and embrace practical compromise.

    By Danielle Russo • Sept. 17, 2024
  • The back of a person who is pointing a remote at a wall-mounted air conditioner.
    Image attribution tooltip
    evrim ertik via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Low-income families face high energy burden, prompting calls for more government action

    One in four low-income U.S. households spends more than 15% of their income on energy bills, finds an analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 17, 2024
  • Aerial shot of city buildings
    Image attribution tooltip
    Art Wager via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    DOE spurs new building energy codes with another $90M

    Construction-heavy states that lack the latest energy-efficiency codes are among the focus areas for this round of federal funding, a U.S. Department of Energy official said.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 16, 2024
  • Electric transmission lines run through a wooded area with houses in the foreground.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Issiah Levett via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Clean energy groups urge FERC to reject Southeast Energy Exchange Market

    The SEEM produced $3.7 million in benefits in 2023 but had $4.3 million in administrative costs, according to Advanced Energy United and other groups.

    By Sept. 16, 2024
  • Nuclear power plant after sunset. Dusk landscape with big chimneys.
    Image attribution tooltip
    vlastas via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    US nuclear, coal power sites could host up to 269 GWe of new nuclear capacity: DOE

    Up to 145 coal sites in 36 states and 41 nuclear sites in 31 states, including some recently retired plants, are potentially suitable for nuclear repowering, DOE said.

    By Brian Martucci • Sept. 16, 2024
  • Russian sanctions for Ukraine war, litigation funding disclosure
    Image attribution tooltip
    Drew Angerer / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Biden finalizes China tariff hikes, including for EVs, batteries and solar panels

    The administration's increases for this year include a 100% tariff on electric vehicles, a 25% tariff on lithium-ion EV batteries and a 50% tariff on photovoltaic solar cells.

    By Kate Magill • Sept. 16, 2024
  • Several vehicles lined up along a curb are blurred while in the foreground a white and silver electric vehicle charger is in focus.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Enel X Way North America
    Image attribution tooltip

    California PUC sets grid connection timelines for large investor-owned utilities

    The decision could cut in half the time it takes PG&E, SDG&E and SoCal Edison to connect EV charging stations, homes and commercial buildings to the grid, according to the PUC.

    By Sept. 16, 2024
  • The sun sets behind some transmission lines.
    Image attribution tooltip
    "sunset2" by Barbara Eckstein is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Politicized energy policies aren’t working, but a better system is possible

    Pairing partisanship with extraordinary demands on our power grid from load growth and energy evolution is a recipe for catastrophic failure.

    By Christina Hayes and Todd Snitchler • Sept. 13, 2024
  • A wall of six electric smart meters against gray, metal paneling.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Ethan Howland
    Image attribution tooltip

    Rising power prices increase credit risk for utilities: Moody’s

    “As utilities seek to pass through higher capacity payments and new investment costs to customers, regulators will continue to be mindful of the scale of the rate increases they approve,” Moody’s said.

    By Sept. 13, 2024
  • A skyline of New York City
    Image attribution tooltip
    TomasSereda via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    The impacts of climate change on deeply decarbonized energy systems: A New York case study

    As the impacts of climate change intensify, it will become increasingly important for energy system planners to directly account for the effects that warming temperatures will have across every segment of the industry.

    By Kevin Steinberger, Vignesh Venugopal and Tory Clark • Sept. 12, 2024
  • Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, speaks at a roundtable discussion.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    FERC greenlights BlackRock’s $12.5B purchase of Global Infrastructure Partners

    The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the transaction on the back of a blanket authorization it first granted the asset management firm in 2010.

    By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 11, 2024
  • Nuclear power plant after sunset. Dusk landscape with big chimneys.
    Image attribution tooltip
    vlastas via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Why many environmentalists are warming to nuclear power

    They are revisiting their early concerns about nuclear power — primarily waste, safety and costs — in light of new information, and they are concluding that the benefits outweigh the risks.

    By Judi Greenwald • Sept. 11, 2024
  • Active construction at the Lumina II battery energy storage system project in Scurry County, Texas.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Intersect Power
    Image attribution tooltip

    National Grid, Constellation propose options to prioritize grid interconnection requests

    However, “rationing” grid interconnection threatens open access to the power system, GridStor’s Jason Burwen said at a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission workshop.

    By Sept. 11, 2024