Regulation & Policy: Page 35
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Omitting Talen Energy RMR units from PJM’s next capacity auction could cost $14.5B: OPSI
The Organization of PJM States Inc., which represents state utility regulators in the grid operator’s region, is backing a complaint at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission over reliability must-run power plants.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 9, 2024 -
PJM aims to fast-track reliability projects in interconnection queue
The PJM Interconnection’s plan to allow a limited number of reliability-oriented generating projects to enter an interconnection study process early next year sparked concerns from some stakeholders, including Invenergy.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 9, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
TrendlineCybersecurity of the Grid
In addition to presenting opportunities for growth, AI is exacerbating cyber threats with more sophisticated malware that is easier than ever to build and deploy. The rise of distributed energy resources also creates more opportunities for attack.
By Utility Dive staff -
DOE proposes serial development approach for nuclear reactors as load growth, IRA boost valuations
Emulating the demand-aggregation approach Boeing used for the 787 Dreamliner could create a “committed orderbook” of 5-10 new reactors of the same design and cut near-term deployment costs, DOE says.
By Brian Martucci • Oct. 8, 2024 -
Opinion
Hawai‘i’s electricity problems expose a failed energy transition strategy
Hawai‘i, like several other states, is taking fossil fuel generation out of the system faster than it is bringing on alternative generation.
By Jonathan Chanis • Oct. 8, 2024 -
DC Circuit upholds FERC order on NextEra Seabrook circuit breaker
The court decision on Friday likely resolves the last major hurdle for Avangrid’s $1.5 billion New England Clean Energy Connect transmission project, ClearView Energy Partners said.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 7, 2024 -
DOE selects 3-GW Pattern Energy transmission project linking ERCOT, Southeast for capacity buy
Avangrid, Invenergy and Grid United were other winning developers in the department’s $1.5 billion solicitation to buy transmission capacity.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 4, 2024 -
The image by Cards84664 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
US nuclear industry needs further policy, regulatory advances: NCEW panel
The ADVANCE Act was necessary but not sufficient to speed nuclear deployments to meet growing electricity demand and “win the AI race,” conference panelists said on Sept. 26.
By Brian Martucci • Oct. 3, 2024 -
The image by Jakec is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Constellation, Calpine, others urge FERC to reject Exelon co-location tariff proposals
However, PJM’s market monitor supports the proposal, saying it would ensure co-located load pays for its share of grid and distribution services.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 3, 2024 -
Pathways Initiative proposes regional organization to oversee Western power markets
“This organization can evolve to offer the full range of [regional transmission organization] services,” Brian Turner, an Advanced Energy United director, said.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 2, 2024 -
FERC approves CAISO interconnection reform plan
The federal agency dismissed concerns from renewable energy trade groups and others that a provision in the new rules will allow utilities to discriminate against project developers.
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 2, 2024 -
Utility conferences to watch in 2025
We’ve updated our list for the second half of the year with events on energy efficiency, load management and more.
By Ethan Howland, Robert Walton, Diana DiGangi, Meris Lutz • Updated June 27, 2025 -
Stuby, James. Retrieved from Wikimedia.
PJM artificially inflates capacity prices by billions, complaint alleges
The PJM Interconnection is artificially boosting its capacity prices by not accounting for reliability must-run power plants in its capacity market, the Sierra Club and other groups told FERC.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 30, 2024 -
MISO advances $21.8B regional transmission portfolio, including 765-kV backbone
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator expects the draft Tranche 2 proposal would produce $23.1 billion in net benefits over 20 years, partly by reducing the need for new generation.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 26, 2024 -
RTOs could fast-track power projects in interconnection queues under House bill
American Electric Power and the Electric Power Supply Association support the bill introduced Sept. 25. It directs FERC to start a rulemaking process within 90 days of the bill becoming law.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 26, 2024 -
PJM says ‘concerns are growing’ after less than 2 GW added this year
“I can assure you … we very much want to bring our projects to completion and are working very diligently in doing so,” VC Renewables’ Jason Barker said.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 26, 2024 -
Opinion
Results show carbon capture’s alleged promises are full of hot air
The happy-talk DOE press information says nothing about the difficulties associated with building a first-of-its kind technology and hooking it up to a large-scale electric generator.
By Dennis Wamsted • Sept. 25, 2024 -
The image by Peretzp is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
PJM market design flaws add billions to latest capacity auction costs: market monitor
A switch in how PJM measures power plant availability, one of several market issues flagged by Monitoring Analytics, increased capacity costs by $4.4 billion compared to its previous approach.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 24, 2024 -
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 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 -
Retrieved from Marque1313.
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 Ethan Howland • Sept. 23, 2024 -
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 -
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 Ethan Howland • Sept. 23, 2024 -
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 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 Ethan Howland • Updated Sept. 23, 2024 -
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 Ethan Howland • Updated Sept. 20, 2024