Regulation & Policy: Page 47


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    5 takeaways from the investor-owned utility sector’s day on Wall Street

    Utilities will likely issue equity this year to fund the energy transition’s record capital spending, Edison Electric Institute officials said.

    By Feb. 21, 2024
  • A structure is set on Xcel Energy's Rush Creek transmission project in Colorado.
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    Courtesy of Xcel Energy
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    Colorado cities urge FERC to reject cost allocation for Xcel’s $2B Power Pathway transmission project

    The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska, which serves four states, along with three of its municipal utility members in Colorado, contend they won’t benefit from the project and shouldn’t pay for any of it.

    By Updated Feb. 23, 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
  • Aerial view above Lake Merritt in Oakland, California. Looking across the lake at downtown Oakland with skyscrapers in the distance.
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    California PUC approves plan to add 56 GW of clean energy resources by 2035

    The resources are needed to meet the California Public Utilities Commission’s new 25 MMT annual electric sector carbon emissions target for 2035, a nearly 60% drop from the 2020 level.

    By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 20, 2024
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    Retrieved from Centrus Energy Corp..
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    Domestic uranium enrichment gets $2.7B boost from US Senate

    The Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 funds conventional and advanced U.S. uranium enrichment capabilities, but the bill faces an uncertain future in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    By Brian Martucci • Feb. 16, 2024
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    Permission granted by Esme Howland
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    FERC OKs cold weather reliability standards, and 5 other takeaways from Thursday’s open meeting

    The agency intends to move forward in the “very near future” on its pending regional transmission planning and cost allocation rule, per Chairman Willie Phillips.

    By Feb. 16, 2024
  • State regulators give testimony before the House Energy, Climate, & Grid Security subcommittee.
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    Retrieved from House of Representatives.
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    State officials blame federal regulation for higher energy prices: ‘Customers are getting hurt.’

    Proposed federal limits on fossil fuel power plants will further raise costs and weaken reliability, three state energy officials told a U.S. House subcommittee on Wednesday.

    By Feb. 15, 2024
  • Transmission tower in a field in Arkansas.
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    State utility regulators urge PJM, MISO to bolster joint interregional transmission planning

    “Expanding transfer capacity between regions can help to improve grid resilience and minimize the negative impacts of extreme weather events,” OMS and OPSI told the grid operators.

    By Feb. 14, 2024
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    Arizona Corporation Commission moves to eliminate energy efficiency rules, renewables targets

    The move is “a big step backwards” for Arizona, said Mark Kresowik, senior policy director for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

    By Feb. 13, 2024
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    Maryland ratepayer advocate urges FERC to reject PJM’s $5.1B transmission cost allocation plan

    Virginia — not other states — should pay for transmission costs driven by its data center incentive policy, the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel said.

    By Updated Feb. 14, 2024
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    EU passes domestic clean energy act, trailing US supply chain and climate bills

    The European Commission agreed to the Net-Zero Industry Act to increase domestic manufacturing, following similar domestic production acts passed by the U.S.

    By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 12, 2024
  • FERC headquarters
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    Permission granted by Esme Howland
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    Phillips named FERC chair as Clements decides against second term

    Clements’ announcement that she will not serve another term at FERC opens up the possibility that the agency will lose its quorum, delaying commission votes, WIRES Executive Director Larry Gasteiger said.

    By Feb. 12, 2024
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    Sponsored by Kraken Technologies

    Enabling a fair and just transition: Digitalization of the grid is holding us back

    The energy transition is in full swing, and we have the tech to make it happen — here’s why we need to make sure our journey to net zero is as equitable and just as possible.

    By Charlotte Johnson – Global Head of Markets, Kraken – Asset & Optimization • Feb. 12, 2024
  • The Hayworth Solar Farm, a photovoltaic solar power generating installation near Bakersfield, California.
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    CAISO seeks FERC approval to cancel 2024 interconnection study process

    As it deals with an interconnection backlog, the California Independent System Operator hasn’t started studying last year’s interconnection requests, which totaled 350 GW, the grid operator told FERC on Thursday.

    By Feb. 9, 2024
  • Large electric power transmission lines and modern wind turbines generating electricity in central California.
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    Opinion

    What utility commissioners should know about a flawed Western day-ahead market study

    The study reads like an advertisement for a product that’s missing important context and comparisons — and as individual utility filings appear in dockets around the West, public utility commissioners should approach it as such.

    By Bob Jenks • Feb. 9, 2024
  • A power plant seen against a blue sky with an American flag in front and a sign that says "Joliet Station 7&8 Generating Station"
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    PJM set to hold capacity auction in June after receiving mixed FERC decisions

    FERC-approved changes to PJM’s capacity auction will likely boost capacity prices and help the grid operator acquire capacity during the energy transition, according to an ESAI Power analyst.

    By Feb. 9, 2024
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    Interregional transmission would grow 126%, to 191 GW, by 2035 under BIG WIRES bill: report

    The biggest percentage growth in interregional transmission expansion would occur in the Southeast, according to analysis by the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University.

    By Feb. 8, 2024
  • A coal-fired power plant on the Ohio River.
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    EPA tightens annual soot standard as TVA, other utilities say science doesn’t back change

    The agency expects almost all counties will meet the revised fine particulate matter standard, a fact the U.S. Chamber of Commerce disputed.

    By Feb. 7, 2024
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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
  • 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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    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
  • A man stands on a power line pole in the woods.
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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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    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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    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