Regulation & Policy: Page

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    21 states, DOE launch initiative to spur grid-enhancing technologies, advanced conductors

    “We're focusing on squeezing every amp that we possibly can out of the existing lines that we have,” Dominion Energy’s Matthew Gardner said at a White House forum.

    By • May 29, 2024
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    FERC rebuffs states, upholds approval of PJM capacity market plan for Delmarva region

    The agency rejected a rehearing request from a coalition that included American Municipal Power, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative and regulators and ratepayer advocates from Delaware and Maryland.

    By • May 28, 2024
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    Trendline

    Data Centers and the US Grid

    A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

    By Utility Dive staff
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    CAISO board approves $6.1B transmission plan with focus on access to clean energy

    The grid operator will adopt heightened oversight of two major offshore wind transmission projects to make sure their development remains needed.

    By • May 24, 2024
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    Opinion

    Mitigating nuclear industry whistleblower risk after the Supreme Court’s Murray v. UBS ruling

    The court’s decision presents an opportunity for employers in the nuclear industry to review their practices and take practical steps to minimize their potential exposure under the Energy Reorganization Act.

    By Jane Accomando and Lincoln Bisbee • May 24, 2024
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    US power demand expected to jump 2.7% this summer, plus 5 other takeaways from FERC’s open meeting

    Data center demand is expected to grow to almost 21 GW this year and 35 GW in 2030, up from 19 GW in 2023, FERC staff said Thursday.

    By • May 24, 2024
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    EEI joins AEP, Duke, other utilities in suing EPA over power plant greenhouse gas rule

    The trade group for investor-owned utilities contends it is “premature” to set emission limits based on carbon capture technology.

    By • May 23, 2024
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    Sens. Manchin, Barrasso craft bipartisan permitting reform bill amid growing load forecasts

    American Electric Power has inquiries from potential customers to add 108 GW across its service territory, Ben Fowke, interim president and CEO, said at a Senate hearing Tuesday.

    By • May 22, 2024
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    3 Senate Democrats join Republicans in rejecting DOE’s gas furnace efficiency rule

    The resolution was sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who called on the House of Representatives to take up the measure "expeditiously."

    By • May 22, 2024
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    Clean energy fund surplus sparks tension in Pacific Northwest city

    The Portland, Oregon, program has brought in millions of dollars more than originally anticipated, putting some city leaders and climate advocates at odds over how to proceed.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • May 21, 2024
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    ‘Still a lot to do’ to improve grid interconnection after FERC Order 2023: Cleanpower panel

    Interconnection and transmission planning must become more proactive and less “reactionary,” NYISO Senior Vice President for System and Resource Planning Zach Smith and other panelists said.

    By Brian Martucci • May 20, 2024
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    State utility regulators grapple with load growth, reliability and permitting amid energy transition

    “There are so many priorities that we need to balance,” Michigan PSC Commissioner Katherine Peretick said at a Cleanpower Expo panel.

    By Brian Martucci • May 17, 2024
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    States, feds must do more to mitigate offshore wind risks: Cleanpower 2024 panel

    The conversation came as the offshore wind industry works through “a moment of reflection and recalibration,” panelist Doreen Harris, NYSERDA president and CEO, said at the Cleanpower Expo.

    By Brian Martucci • May 16, 2024
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    FERC transmission rule likely boon to consumers, but Christie dissent is a blueprint for litigation, analysts say

    The rule also gives state utility regulators an “unprecedented role” in transmission planning and cost allocation, said Christina Hayes, executive director of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid.

    By • May 16, 2024
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    Opinion

    FERC Order 1920 is a big step forward on transmission planning, but it is not the end game

    The rule provides the raw ingredients to transmission providers and states, FERC Commissioner Allison Clements writes, but the grid of the future will not be built if these entities do not come together and start cooking.

    By Allison Clements • May 15, 2024
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    Geopolitics, decarbonization driving ascendant nuclear power industry: NEI CEO

    Anticipated load growth from data centers, AI and new manufacturing hubs is the latest tailwind for conventional and advanced nuclear, NEI President and CEO Maria Korsnick said Tuesday.

    By Brian Martucci • May 15, 2024
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    Biden hikes tariffs on China-made EVs, batteries, solar cells

    The tariffs align with U.S. efforts to get ahead of China in clean energy and advanced technology manufacturing while also increasing supply chain control.

    By Kate Magill • May 14, 2024
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    FERC issues landmark transmission planning, cost allocation rule, with dissent over state roles

    In a 2-1 vote, the agency’s commissioners disagreed on the role states will have under the rule.

    By • May 14, 2024
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    FERC revises its backstop permitting rules for national interest transmission corridor projects

    The agency’s new rule could affect power line projects in 10 transmission corridors the Department of Energy proposed last week.

    By • May 14, 2024
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    Virtual power plants, DERs and home electrification get boost from trio of new Maryland laws

    The laws could help Maryland meet its goals to generate 14.5% of electricity from solar by 2028, achieve a 60% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 and install 3 GW of energy storage by 2033.

    By Brian Martucci • May 13, 2024
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    Column

    FERC in Focus: How will 2 Supreme Court cases — on Chevron deference and ALJs — affect the commission?

    The court may be poised to limit the leeway courts give to federal agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission when interpreting ambiguous laws and to require changes to how it handles market manipulation cases.

    By • May 13, 2024
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    Opinion

    With 78% of requested investments approved, US regulators are backing grid modernization

    Contrary to the conventional opinion that regulation is an obstacle to grid modernization, regulators have, in fact, largely demonstrated strong support over the past six years.

    By Kathy (Huishan) Hu • May 13, 2024
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    Sponsored by Sense

    An advanced grid requires regulatory innovation

    The need for innovation in utility regulation “springs” up on the heels of DOE paper, “Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Innovative Grid Deployment.” Regulatory innovation is essential for meeting the grid requirements of the future.

    By Brandon Dyer, Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs, Sense • May 13, 2024
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    Midwest is a model for renewables development, but ‘well-meaning’ policies can raise concerns: panel

    Despite the region’s competitive advantages for renewable energy, developers need to recognize local stakeholders’ concerns to keep the energy transition on pace, panelists said at the Cleanpower conference in Minneapolis.

    By Brian Martucci • May 10, 2024
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    California PUC rejects PG&E plan to spin off 5.6 GW in non-nuclear assets

    PG&E failed to show the proposed transaction meets “even the minimal public interest standard,” the PUC said in its decision.

    By • May 10, 2024
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    New Pennsylvania PUC policy sparks debate over who can own energy storage assets

    PECO Energy and Duquesne Light urged the commission to allow utilities to own energy storage assets, while the Solar Energy Industries Association and others sought a path for third-party ownership.

    By Patrick Cooley • May 9, 2024