Connecticut adopts performance-based regulation as Eversource raps investor environment

“You just don't get paid an automatic 9% whether you do good work or bad work,” Gov. Ned Lamont said. “You get paid for doing good work.”

By Stephen Singer • April 27, 2023

Rep. Casten, ex-FERC chairs eye DERs, more power sector competition to achieve net zero goals

"We're not going to get to where we need to go with a zero-carbon electric grid unless we have distributed demand-side resources supporting what we need to do on the supply side,” said former FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff.

By Diana DiGangi • April 27, 2023

Explore the 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

Congress should adopt 30% tax credit, streamlined permitting for regional transmission, clean grid group says

Permitting reform appears possible despite the divided Congress, Brett White, Pine Gate Renewables’ vice president for regulatory affairs, said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • April 26, 2023

Idaho National Lab’s open-source microreactor design and test bed spur start-up interest

Making an open-sourced microreactor design available is “much more resilient than a centralized approach,” said Yasir Arafat, chief designer of the MARVEL reactor at the Idaho National Lab.

By Stephen Singer • April 26, 2023

FERC clears NextDecade, Glenfarne LNG export projects after revising carbon, environmental justice reviews

The decisions come amid growing U.S. natural gas exports, which critics contend are helping to drive up electricity prices.

By Ethan Howland • April 25, 2023

Efforts to accelerate permitting could learn a thing or two from nuclear energy

In the past, the implicit assumption was that it was OK for it to take years or even decades to build energy projects because the status quo was acceptable. We know now that the status quo is not, in fact, acceptable.

By Jessica Lovering and Judi Greenwald • April 24, 2023

State regulators urge PJM to speed interconnection for new generation in face of power plant retirements

“We're rattling the foundations here,” Mike Jacobs, Union of Concerned Scientists senior energy analyst, said Friday. “And everything PJM is calling for in this moment of crisis is strengthening the status of the existing supply.”

By Ethan Howland • April 24, 2023

FERC approves incentive framework for voluntary cybersecurity investments

In the final rule, the federal agency dropped a proposed 2% return on equity from the incentives utilities can get for certain cyber investments.

By Ethan Howland • April 24, 2023

Maine jury clears Avangrid’s 145-mile transmission line, reversing ballot vote that blocked project

Building clean-energy transmission lines won’t be possible with “this much of a fight for all involved,” said Amy Boyd of the Acadia Center.

By Stephen Singer • April 21, 2023

FERC approves CAISO, NYISO, utility plans for ambient line ratings to boost transmission capacity

“I’m looking forward to moving forward with opportunities to promote various kinds of grid-enhancing technologies, which are really no-brainers,” FERC Commissioner Allison Clements said.

By Ethan Howland • April 21, 2023

Sunrun, others adapt as California’s new net metering rules spur booming interest in energy storage

The attachment rates of storage systems to distributed solar in California are projected to increase from around 11% today to over 80% by 2027, according to Wood Mackenzie.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 20, 2023

IRS guidance ‘appears to overestimate’ extent of energy communities under IRA: Charles River Associates

“At this time, I think we want to be careful not to say that the IRS was wrong per se, but that there is definitely a need for further diligence on this topic, and it should be monitored closely,” said CRA Associate Ryan Iyer.

By Diana DiGangi • April 19, 2023

House hearing highlights rising bipartisan support for nuclear energy amid wave of policy actions

Nuclear advocates hope bipartisan support can advance the industry, which "has stagnated over the past decade," Rep. Jeff Duncan said.

By Stephen Singer • April 19, 2023

With looming EV load spikes, PG&E, Duke, other utilities adopt new rate design and cost recovery strategies

New dynamic time-varying rates and demand charge adjustments from California to the Carolinas could align customer usage with utility costs to make EVs a system benefit, rate design experts said

By Herman K. Trabish • April 18, 2023

Utilities, independent power producers clash over best path to New York’s 6 GW of storage by 2030 goal

An industry group warned that customers will pay for cost overruns on storage projects if utility-owned storage “is given free range.”

By Stephen Singer • April 18, 2023

Cooperative utility leaders urge Congress, federal agencies to bolster grid reliability

“Demand is going up and supply is going down, and that's not a good trend if you want to maintain system reliability,” Jim Matheson, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO, said.

By Ethan Howland • April 18, 2023

FERC rejects Southwest Power Pool plan for utility self-funding of network upgrades

The self-funding proposal would create uncertainty for interconnection customers, possibly leading to canceled generating projects, the federal agency said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • April 17, 2023

NRC to regulate fusion energy systems as commercial interest grows despite ‘uncertain’ future

The private sector is developing pilot-scale commercial fusion designs even as the technology’s “precise future in the United States is uncertain,” NRC Chair Christopher Hanson said.

By Stephen Singer • April 17, 2023

PJM asks FERC to help resolve LS Power, 7 other complaints about $1.8B in Winter Storm Elliott penalties

“There is value to a prompt resolution of these heavily contested non-performance charges … in a manner that does not lead to market disruption, defaults, bankruptcies and the physical loss of assets,” PJM said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • April 17, 2023

Chinese supply chains for critical infrastructure threaten the US power grid

State and federal policymakers, utilities and other stakeholders must develop and implement effective strategies to secure supply chains while minimizing the financial impact on ratepayers.

By Brien J. Sheahan • April 14, 2023

Soaring electricity prices outrun inflation but have likely peaked as natural gas prices plunge: EIA, BLS

“The situation is getting worse as utility bills remain high and families are getting hit [by] rising prices for food and shelter,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association.

By Stephen Singer • April 13, 2023

Grid connections will remain a huge challenge for clean energy if FERC fails to meet this moment

To promote competition, interconnection reforms need standard processes and rules that leave little room for interpretation or discretion.

By Sean Gallagher • April 13, 2023

White House bolsters review process for power sector, other rules with expanded cost-benefit analysis

“This guidance will enable government agencies to more evenhandedly assess the benefits and costs of proposed regulations,” said Max Sarinsky, senior attorney at the Institute for Policy Integrity at NYU School of Law.

By Ethan Howland • April 12, 2023

NARUC, National Association of State Energy Officials launch advanced nuclear power collaboration

Greg White, NARUC’s executive director, said the initiative is important because many states are working on transitions to meet new clean energy requirements.

By Stephen Singer • April 11, 2023

7 Northeast states submit $1.25B proposal for federal hydrogen hub

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, D, said the hub provides an opportunity to “leverage substantial federal funding to begin building a market for clean hydrogen that will address some of our most difficult to decarbonize sectors.” 

By Stephen Singer • April 10, 2023