Regulation & Policy: Page 30


  • Transmission line workers.
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    aydinmutlu via Getty Images
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    DOE launches solicitation for up to $1.2B in transmission capacity contracts

    The Tuesday request for proposals marks the second round of potential funding from the DOE’s Transmission Facilitation Program.

    By Feb. 7, 2024
  • ISO New England control room
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    Permission granted by ISO New England
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    FERC approves ISO-NE day-ahead reserve initiative, in boost to flexible resources

    The plan will provide increased revenue to flexible resources like energy storage that can provide reserves to meet any unexpected real-time power supply needs.

    By Feb. 5, 2024
  • High voltage power lines seen from below Explore the Trendline
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

    Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

    By Utility Dive staff
  • Power lines running through the woods in North Carolina.
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    Clean energy groups back Duke Energy multi-value local transmission planning proposal

    If approved, Duke could have the only local planning process that uses proactive, multi-value scenario planning, according to North Carolina clean energy groups.

    By Feb. 5, 2024
  • As part of a maintenance check, a service engineer inspects the solar cell on a building roof for a damaged part.
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    NewSaetiew via Getty Images
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    FEMA to help communities pay for net-zero energy projects post-disaster

    Communities can now leverage the agency’s grant programs to install solar microgrids, heat pumps and passive cooling when rebuilding schools, hospitals, fire stations and other infrastructure in a disaster’s wake.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 2, 2024
  • An Eversource Energy power line in the woods in New Hampshire.
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    The image by Eversource NH is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    Eversource, others may be capitalizing on lax reviews for some transmission projects: Maine officials

    “Asset condition” projects receive almost no regulatory scrutiny by states or ISO New England, possibly to the benefit of utility shareholders, Maine’s ratepayer office told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

    By Feb. 2, 2024
  • Texas to explore new grid recovery options after 82% of blackstart units failed during Winter Storm Uri

    The state should consider how its growing battery storage resources could help with system recovery in the event of a widespread grid collapse, said Texas PUC Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty.

    By Feb. 2, 2024
  • Steam billowing from a gas-fired power plant in the winter.
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    James Pintar via Getty Images
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    FERC approves PJM capacity accreditation, modeling reforms aimed at boosting reliability

    “PJM’s development of a new framework that seeks to assess the patterns, drivers, and probabilities of reliability risk across all hours of the year is an important advancement,” FERC Commissioner Allison Clements said.

    By Feb. 1, 2024
  • Electricity from solar panels, dams, and wind turbines. Environmentally-friendly renewable energy concept.
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    bombermoon via Getty Images
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    2024 US power sector outlook

    The U.S. clean energy transition is expected to accelerate in 2024 but faces question around transmission, financing, federal elections and other issues.

    By Utility Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024
  • Transmission lines next to a highway in California.
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    davidfillion via Getty Images
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    EEI, utilities urge FERC to reverse decision cutting PG&E equity adder for CAISO participation

    The commission’s decision to deny Pacific Gas & Electric extra return on equity marks an “unfortunate shift” in the agency’s approach to infrastructure investment, the Edison Electric Institute said Monday.

    By Jan. 30, 2024
  • FERC headquarters
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    Permission granted by Esme Howland
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    FERC Outlook: Danly exit could boost transmission reform, but smaller commission poses risks

    Other top priorities for FERC this year include continued efforts to improve the interconnection process, consideration of expanded transmission ties between regions and possible power market reforms, according to agency experts.

    By Jan. 29, 2024
  • Solar panels and wind turbines in a field
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    imacoconut via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    New solutions emerge to better integrate renewables into the grid, Xcel, Eversource and others say

    Requiring the 400+ GW of battery capacity in U.S. interconnection queues to have grid-forming capabilities could enable variable renewables growth “cheaper and faster than adding new transmission,” one expert said.

    By Jan. 25, 2024
  • SEC Chairman Gary Gensler takes part in a meeting.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    To keep or not to keep: The fate of scope 3 emissions in SEC’s climate disclosure rule

    Given all of the pushback the agency has received over its proposed rule, particularly scope 3 reporting requirements, experts are uncertain if scope 3 will make the final cut.

    By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 25, 2024
  • Rep. Bill Huizenga speaks with glasses and a pen in one hand.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    House GOP says SEC is overstepping authority, cannot demand climate disclosures

    Expert witnesses for the Financial Services Subcommittee differed in legal interpretations of the agency’s power to issue the rule.

    By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 23, 2024
  • Silhouette of young engineer holding laptop computer planning and working for the energy industry and standing beside a wind turbines farm power station at sunset time
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    BulentBARIS via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Utility Business Outlook: Power prices stay elevated as elections sow uncertainty for clean energy plans

    For utilities and the clean energy sector, 2024 could bring “an exceptional level of volatility and opportunity,” according to Bank of America Global Research analysts.

    By Jan. 23, 2024
  • Panoramic view of a solar farm in the Appalachian Mountains near Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania.
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    Alex Potemkin via Getty Images
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    NERC issues 3-year plan for setting reliability standards for wind, solar, storage

    The plan responds to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission order driven by concerns about inverter-based resources tripping offline. The new reliability standards are scheduled to take effect by the end of the decade.

    By Jan. 23, 2024
  • Wind turbines at a wind farm in winter in Iowa.
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    axnjax via Getty Images
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    FERC rejects MISO interconnection queue cap, saying it could be undermined by exemptions

    However, the agency on Friday approved other elements of the midcontinent grid operator’s proposal to revamp its interconnection process, such as increased milestone payments.

    By Jan. 22, 2024
  • The Tennessee Valley Authority's coal-fired Cumberland power plant in Tennessee.
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    The image by TVA Web Team is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    FERC approves gas pipeline needed for TVA plan to shutter 2.5-GW coal-fired power plant

    Replacing the Cumberland power plant with gas-fired generation will reduce carbon emissions by about 7 million metric tons a year, FERC said Thursday.

    By Jan. 19, 2024
  • High voltage power lines in the winter.
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    Polina-Petrenko via Getty Images
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    Extreme weather shows need for dispatchable resources, new transmission: FERC commissioners

    FERC Acting Chairman Willie Phillips expects the agency will issue new transmission planning and cost allocation rules in the “coming months.”

    By Jan. 19, 2024
  • Hydrogen renewable energy production pipeline.
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    audioundwerbung via Getty Images
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    Federal programs create little incentive for companies to make low-carbon hydrogen: IEEFA

    Hydrogen producers could gain greater financial benefit from incentives for carbon capture than from the hydrogen production tax credit, which imposes caps on emissions, IEEFA analysts say.

    By Emma Penrod • Jan. 19, 2024
  • Pylon with power lines against reddish sky at sunset, rural North Carolina, USA.
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    Karl Weatherly via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Renewable Energy Outlook: Addressing supply chain, project hurdles could see dividends in 2024

    It may be a blessing in disguise for the offshore wind industry that so many developers had to delay or cancel projects last year, one attorney said.

    By Jan. 18, 2024
  • The facade of a building with large windows and a sign that says "Federal Energy Regulatory Commission."
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    Permission granted by Esme Howland
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    Opinion

    Four key predictions for FERC’s 2024 electricity agenda

    Looming over any predictions are the ever-increasing concerns about the reliability and stability of the nation’s electric grid. Any major reliability event in this election year could instantly reshape FERC’s agenda and priorities.

    By William Scherman, Jeffrey Jakubiak, John Decker, Damien Lyster, Jennifer Mansh, Jessica Rollinson and Jake Silver • Jan. 17, 2024
  • An electricity meter covered in snow.
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    Valerie Loiseleux via Getty Images
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    DC government, ratepayer advocate oppose Exelon utility’s multi-year rate plan

    The opposition reflects emerging concerns about rising electric rates, per Paul Patterson, a Glenrock equity analyst. “We’re beginning to see — in certain jurisdictions — regulatory pushback,” he said.

    By Jan. 17, 2024
  • Gov. Newsom proposes $283M cut to California’s building decarbonization programs

    The proposed 2024-25 budget would also delay $600 million of funding for the state’s electric vehicle rebate program, Clean Cars 4 All, and EV charging stations by three years.

    By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 16, 2024
  • Workers installing solar panels on a house.
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    IPGGutenbergUKLtd via Getty Images
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    SRP’s residential rooftop solar program violates PURPA, Vote Solar tells FERC

    Federal regulators should launch an enforcement action over Salt River Project’s allegedly discriminatory solar rates, according to Vote Solar and two SRP customers.

    By Jan. 16, 2024
  • An aerial view of a power plant with steam rising from one of four smokestacks.
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    The image by RM VM is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    FERC allows activist investor Elliott to buy up to 20% of NRG Energy stock

    The decision comes as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is considering changing its policy on investment firm purchases of utility stock.

    By Jan. 11, 2024