Regulation & Policy: Page 7


  • Nordik Data Centers, Accelcius, chips cooling
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    Loradao via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Data center growth and the imperative of economic discipline

    Grid access must be treated as a scarce, priced product. That means building markets for interconnection capacity, avoiding socialized costs and ensuring that those who impose system costs bear them.

    By Terry Harvill and August Ankum • June 5, 2025
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    Gerville via Getty Images
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    Does PJM have a data center problem?

    “Data centers could overwhelm the grids if they chose to,” Joseph Bowring, Market Analytics president, said. He called for requiring data centers to run their facilities on new power sources.

    By June 5, 2025
  • High voltage power lines seen from below Explore the Trendline
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

    Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

    By Utility Dive staff
  • Electrical engineer while working laptop near a power line.
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    aydinmutlu via Getty Images
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    There’s no silver bullet to achieving US energy resource adequacy

    Regional differences mean one-size-fit-all solutions, like mandatory reserve margins for all load-serving entities, are unlikely to work, FERC conference participants said.

    By June 5, 2025
  • 3D rendering of a small modular nuclear reactor power plant on a sunny day.
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    iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Think small: Why America should bet on small modular reactors

    To reach their potential, SMRs will require effective support across the entire development cycle — and a sustained commitment based on bipartisan, long-term political backing.

    By Robin Gaster • June 4, 2025
  • A bank of electricity meters on a wall.
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    Ward DeWitt via Getty Images
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    Electricity consumer groups urge FERC to improve load forecasts

    Load forecasts, which are surging, can affect wholesale electricity prices and resources adequacy, but they are rife with uncertainty and lack transparency, the groups said.

    By June 4, 2025
  • FERC headquarters
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    Permission granted by Esme Howland
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    White House names energy attorney Swett to replace FERC’s Christie

    The move comes as the White House appears to be exerting a growing influence over independent agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the R Street Institute’s Devin Hartman said.

    By June 3, 2025
  • Energy Star, FY 2026 federal budget
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Amid rising energy prices, senators call for EPA to maintain Energy Star

    Every dollar spent on the Energy Star program has resulted in nearly $350 in energy cost savings for business and households, according to Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.

    By June 3, 2025
  • The front doors to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
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    The image by Tony Webster is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    NRC approves NuScale’s small modular reactor plant design

    The May 29 approval was NuScale’s second since 2020 and positions the Oregon-based nuclear technology developer as “the most near-term American SMR power solution,” the company said.

    By Brian Martucci • June 2, 2025
  • Men sit at desks with computer screens.
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    Permission granted by PJM Interconnection
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    DOE orders Constellation to delay retiring 760 MW to ease PJM ‘emergency’

    The U.S. Department of Energy partly based its action on a PJM Interconnection warning that it may need to call on demand response resources to keep the lights on under extreme conditions this summer.

    By Updated June 2, 2025
  • Natural gas fired turbine power plant with it's cooling towers rising into a cloud filled blue sky.
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    Ron and Patty Thomas via Getty Images
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    DOE cancels $3.7B in carbon capture, decarbonization awards

    Calpine, PPL Corp., Ørsted and Exxon Mobil are among the companies affected by the decision.

    By Updated May 30, 2025
  • A wide shot of a solar panel production line with robot arms in a factory.
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    SweetBunFactory via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    IRA tax credits spur construction, manufacturing in red and blue states

    Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act could slow our ability to build more power generation and increase the risk of rolling blackouts and higher energy costs.

    By Emmanuel Martin-Lauzer • May 29, 2025
  • Electric transmission lines run through a desert.
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    Courtesy of Ten West Link
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    FERC ALJ order threatens competitive transmission cost caps: CAISO

    The issue centers on cost recovery for a $553 million transmission line between Arizona and California built by a Lotus Infrastructure Partners affiliate.

    By May 29, 2025
  • A wall of six electric smart meters against gray, metal paneling.
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    Permission granted by Ethan Howland
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    Opinion

    Making energy affordable again: The role of cities, states and utilities in enhancing the energy safety net

    Even as the U.S. pursues an energy agenda centered on achieving affordability through abundance, utilities and local governments have tools to help families navigate energy insecurities.

    By Diana Hernández and Vivek Shastry • May 28, 2025
  • Nuclear power plant and transmission lines
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    zhongguo via Getty Images
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    Trump aims for 400 GW of nuclear by 2050, 10 large reactors under construction by 2030

    Nuclear advocates welcomed proposed regulatory reforms while cautioning that NRC and DOE staff cuts could “undermine” progress. One skeptic said NRC changes would compromise safety.

    By Brian Martucci • May 28, 2025
  • A power plant with two red and white striped smokestacks.
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    The image by NatFee is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Vistra solar, battery projects in MISO face supply chain delays

    Vistra asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for two-year commercial operation deadline extensions for projects in Illinois totaling 833 MW.

    By May 28, 2025
  • A power plant sites next to a river.
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    Permission granted by Consumers Energy
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    DOE orders 1.6-GW coal-fired power plant to delay shutdown over MISO outage concerns

    Public Citizen said it plans to challenge the DOE’s “abuse of emergency authorities” when Consumers Energy seeks to recoup its costs for running the power plant this summer.

    By May 27, 2025
  • U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C.
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    Jeremy Poland via Getty Images
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    House GOP budget ‘worse than feared’ for clean energy: analysts

    The bill’s “unworkable” provisions raise barriers for projects to qualify for clean energy credits before an accelerated 2028 expiration, an industry association said. Jefferies analysts also called out its “intentional targeting” of residential solar.

    By Brian Martucci • May 22, 2025
  • Two tall white industrial structures stand among an array of buildings.
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    Courtesy of Georgia Power
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    Nuclear industry ‘facing some headwinds’ amid congressional budget fight: NEI CEO

    The federal government must continue clean energy tax credits, DOE nuclear initiatives and Nuclear Regulatory Commission reforms to sustain momentum, the NEI’s Maria Korsnick said.

    By Brian Martucci • May 22, 2025
  • The dome of the U.S. Capitol Building as seen at dawn.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Tax credit repeal threatens 60,000 jobs in blue hydrogen: report

    Some 9.8 million metric tons of blue hydrogen production capacity is in development based largely on the promise of the 45V tax credit, according to the Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Forum.

    By Emma Penrod • May 21, 2025
  • Electric transmission lines crossing a shrubby area.
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    The image by Eduardo Sanchez is licensed under CC BY 1.0
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    Opinion

    Harnessing HVDC transmission as a transformative force in modern grid design

    As grid modernization accelerates, high-voltage direct current transmission will be a cornerstone in the transition to a cleaner, smarter and more resilient power system.

    By Anees Jeddy • May 21, 2025
  • Wind turbines stand behind a solar power park.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    GOP supporters of IRA clean energy credits outline reconciliation bill recommendations

    Fourteen Republicans asked to maintain the tax credit transferability mechanism through the phase-out period and make two other adjustments to the clean energy tax credit changes.

    By Lamar Johnson • May 20, 2025
  • A natural gas-fired turbine power plant with it's cooling towers rising into a blue sky.
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    Ron and Patty Thomas via Getty Images
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    FERC rejects MISO plan to speed generation interconnection

    The Expedited Resource Addition Study proposal failed to limit the number of projects that could be considered, said Commissioners David Rosner and Lindsay See.

    By May 20, 2025
  • Towing a liquefied gas tanker.
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    lyash01 via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Is your electric bill too high? Thank LNG exports.

    Allowing more gas to be sold overseas gives a windfall to corporate executives who profit from exports as well as from the higher prices they cause here at home by creating scarcity in the market.

    By Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré (Ret.) • May 19, 2025
  • Electric power lines running across a hilly landscape.
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    Bilanol via Getty Images
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    Electric utilities must disclose PJM votes under new Maryland law

    At least three other states in the regional transmission organization are considering similar measures.

    By Brian Martucci • May 19, 2025
  • A man exits the front of the U.S. Capitol at dawn.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Republican budget squeezes out of House committee, but deeper IRA cuts could come

    Deficit hawks voted to advance the legislation for now but said they negotiated for more cuts to clean energy incentives.

    By May 19, 2025