Regulation & Policy: Page 35


  • A power plant next to the coast.
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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 Oct. 9, 2024
  • An industrial complex with three smokestacks in a rural setting.
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    Courtesy of GE Vernova
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    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 Oct. 9, 2024
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Cybersecurity 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
  • Proposed design for TerraPower's Natrium reactor
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    Permission granted by TerraPower
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    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
  • Aerial view of wind farm and solar farms on the island of Oahu in Hawaii Islands.
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    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
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    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 Oct. 7, 2024
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    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 Oct. 4, 2024
  • Energy Harbor's Perry nuclear plant in North Perry, Ohio.
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    The image by Cards84664 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    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
  • A river runs in front of forests, fields and steam billowing from two cement cooling towers from a power plant.
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    The image by Jakec is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    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 Oct. 3, 2024
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    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 Oct. 2, 2024
  • Turbines in Altamont Pass Wind Farm near Livermore, California.
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    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 Oct. 2, 2024
  • Electricity from solar panels, dams, and wind turbines. Environmentally-friendly renewable energy concept.
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    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
  • Talen Energy coal-fired Brandon Shores power plant near Baltimore.
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    Stuby, James. Retrieved from Wikimedia.
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    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 Sept. 30, 2024
  • High-voltage tower with electric power lines between green agricultural fields.
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    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 Sept. 26, 2024
  • Energy thermal power station roof plant with white smoke cloud.
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    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 Sept. 26, 2024
  • Solar power station and solar energy panels on the green field in Chester, New Jersey.
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    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 Sept. 26, 2024
  • Scientists stand beside a new carbon capture test unit.
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    Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
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    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
  • Steam billows from a massive cement smokestack at a nuclear power plant at the edge of the water.
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    The image by Peretzp is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    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 Sept. 24, 2024
  • Nuclear power plant and transmission lines
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    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
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    Permission granted by Holtec International
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    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
  • An aerial view of a nuclear power plant next to a river.
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    Retrieved from Marque1313.
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    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."
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    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.
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    The image by Acroterion is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    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.
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    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
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    Permission granted by Esme Howland
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    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.
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    Courtesy of Tesla
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    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