NRC chair defends reactor licensing changes: “We are in the middle of the rulemaking process, not at the end.”

Christopher Hanson’s upbeat message comes as nuclear energy enjoys rising support as an energy source that can help states and the federal government meet increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emissions limits.

By Stephen Singer • March 14, 2023

Confidential PJM meetings hinder state energy policy, oversight: West Virginia PSC, Maryland lawmaker

Efforts are underway to increase transparency at the largest U.S. grid operator, with Exelon and FirstEnergy opposing a bill to require annual voting reports of PJM meetings.

By Ethan Howland • March 14, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

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

ISO-NE: Annual capacity auction closes with sufficient power system resources for 2026-2027 capacity year

Nearly all of the new resources securing capacity supply obligations were wind, solar, energy storage or demand-reducing resources.

By Stephen Singer • March 13, 2023

NRC clears NIST nuclear reactor to restart following 2021 radiation escape, shutdown

NIST blamed the failure on inadequate training and qualification for operators, plant procedures, equipment and “inadequate management oversight.”

By Stephen Singer • March 13, 2023

EPA, DOE issue framework for maintaining grid reliability during energy transition

The agencies will consider “short-term interventions” to address emerging reliability risks, according to the agreement released Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • March 10, 2023

‘Welcome to ERCOT.’ Regulators approve city of Lubbock, Texas, shift to retail competition

The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Thursday authorized the move after a last-minute agreement was struck regarding the allocation of termination fee proceeds.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2023

Can utility regulators adopt Silicon Valley’s ‘fail fast’ approach? A new Connecticut program may tell

While the pace of electric system transformation and technological innovation has increased rapidly over the last 15 years, regulatory structures have struggled to keep pace.

By Josh Ryor, Matt McDonnell, and Eli Asher • March 10, 2023

Biden’s proposed budget boosts funding for clean energy, permitting, efficiency programs

The budget, released March 9, includes $11.9 billion for Department of Energy climate and clean energy research, development, demonstration and deployment, a 20% hike over the FY 23 enacted amount.

By Ethan Howland • March 10, 2023

Energy Department offers $6B to decarbonize industrial manufacturing

Grants will be awarded to projects in energy-intensive and high-polluting sectors such as iron and steel, chemicals and refining and food and beverage. 

By Megan Ruggles • March 9, 2023

FERC must ensure that customer funds are only used to benefit customers and not political activities

If FERC provides a level playing field, we have a chance to enact policies that are in our best interest, use science, follow the math, and implement non-emitting energy solutions.

By Priya Gandbhir • March 9, 2023

Grid operators oppose FERC conference on barriers to merchant interregional HVDC transmission

But Invenergy’s petition for a conference was backed Wednesday by state utility regulators, renewable energy advocates, consumer groups and transmission companies.

By Ethan Howland • March 9, 2023

NRC hammers out new licensing rules to adapt to advanced nuclear plants and small modular reactors

Sen. John Barrasso, then chairman of the Senate environment committee, said in 2019 a new law mandating updated reactor licensing rules is “critical if we are going to reduce carbon emissions in a meaningful way.”

By Stephen Singer • March 8, 2023

EPA proposes stricter wastewater discharge limits for coal-fired power plants

“We have attempted with this rule, and with some other rules, to align our rulemaking schedule, so that the power sector can be thoughtful about the investments that they have to make,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said.

By Ethan Howland • March 8, 2023

FERC reverses its approval of SPP’s capacity accreditation plan for wind, solar resources

FERC Commissioner Allison Clements urged the Southwest Power Pool to develop an accreditation process that doesn’t discriminate between types of generating sources.

By Ethan Howland • March 7, 2023

Are RTOs and ISOs sick, dying or dead?

Three recent occurrences illustrate that the regional transmission organization/independent system operator regulatory model is spent.

By Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • March 6, 2023

DC Circuit dismisses utility-backed challenge to EPA cross-state ozone rule

The Midwest Ozone Group, with Ameren, Duke Energy and FirstEnergy among its members, failed to show the EPA’s rule was arbitrary or capricious, the federal appeals court said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • March 6, 2023

NRC grants exemption for PG&E to operate Diablo Canyon nuclear plant during license renewal review

An environmental advocate said the NRC decision was “politically motivated and reckless” and ignored public safety concerns.

By Stephen Singer • March 3, 2023

As more Americans struggle to pay power bills, states must be ‘deliberate’ in equity efforts: report

“We know that disparities and disproportionate barriers exist in clean energy access and adoption across racial groups and across income groups,” said Tony Reames, the Energy Department’s deputy director for energy justice.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2023

FERC orders PJM to revise plan for DER aggregations; Enel ‘encouraged’ that single-node limit may be lifted

States may not be able to make needed regulatory changes in time to meet the plan’s early-2026 start date, according to Commissioner Mark Christie.

By Ethan Howland • March 3, 2023

DOE expands reactors eligible for $1.2B second round of Civil Nuclear Credit Program

DOE issued guidance saying power plants that halted operations after Nov. 15, 2021, can apply for support.

By Stephen Singer • March 2, 2023

FERC partly approves ISO-NE plan for aggregated DER but balks at behind-the-meter requirements

“ISO-NE needs to roll up its sleeves and pursue steps that genuinely open its markets to behind-the-meter” resources, FERC Commissioner Allison Clements said.

By Ethan Howland • March 2, 2023

California regulators find Diablo Canyon nuclear plant needed through 2030 to support grid reliability

The California Energy Commission on Tuesday approved a staff analysis recommending the state pursue extending the operation of the plant, citing potential energy shortfalls during extreme weather.

By Stephen Singer • March 1, 2023

EPA launches first funding phase of $5B carbon reduction program for states, cities, tribes

New Jersey expects to use funding to look for ways to speed up its greenhouse gas reduction plans, Shawn LaTourette, commissioner of the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • March 1, 2023

House Republicans advance infrastructure permitting reform as part of 16-bill energy package

The first legislative step could lead to negotiations with the Senate this summer on permitting reform for transmission and pipelines, according to Akin Gump attorneys.

By Ethan Howland • March 1, 2023

Virginia legislature OKs bill giving regulators more autonomy in setting profit margins for Dominion Energy

The Legislature unanimously approved a measure to give Virginia’s State Corporation Commission more autonomy in setting profit margins for state utilities.

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 28, 2023