Massachusetts hopes 'localized approach' to GHG inventory can spread

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council rolled out tools for local communities to collect and track emissions data, something officials believe could be replicated in other regions.

By Chris Teale • June 2, 2020

Is subnational carbon pricing the off-ramp for MOPR?

FERC's April ruling refines the applicability of MOPR to green industrial policy and clarifies that it does not apply to voluntary private behavior and environmental policy, opening the door to emissions-based policies, the author writes.

By Devin Hartman • June 2, 2020

Explore the 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

Ex-FERC commissioners debate solutions to coal self-committments said to cost millions

Former FERC Commissioner Suedeen Kelly says the issue will have to be resolved at the state level, while former Chair Jon Wellinghoff argues such market distortions should be addressed by FERC.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 1, 2020

Cities need more expertise, utility support in 100% renewables push: report

The authors said local leaders should invest more time to find ways that ensure the energy transition is equitable and does not leave marginalized communities behind.

By Chris Teale • June 1, 2020

Observing recovery through a climate 'magnifying glass'

COVID-19 presented cities with fresh observations of climate trends, marking a crucial time for leaders to weave climate change mitigation into recovery efforts.

By Chris Teale • May 29, 2020

A sneak peek at San Francisco's new low-carbon neighborhood

The city unanimously approved plans to build a 29-acre sustainable, transportation-efficient community on the site of a former century-old fossil fuel power plant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 29, 2020

US solar developers get reprieve on bifacial panel prices as judge rejects USTR move on tariffs

While the ruling ensures developers can purchase the more efficient two-sided panels from Asia for a few months without any tariffs, the government is expected to continue its efforts to remove the exemption.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2020

EPA backtracks on fish-protecting requirements in long-delayed Merrimack coal plant permit

The permit has not been updated since 1992, and environmentalists say the agency's proposal is "a complete 180" from the permit proposed in 2011, which would have required the plant to install cooling towers.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 28, 2020

24 Congressional Democrats urge FERC to reject net metering overhaul

The proposal is an affront to states' rights as well as a threat to distributed energy compensation policies, senators and representatives wrote.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 28, 2020

Murkowski, Collins, Tillis urge Treasury to extend aid to solar industry

The Republican senators asked Secretary Steven Mnuchin to extend safe harbor requirements for the "start of construction" on renewables projects, and modify the "physical work test" rule to ensure eligibility for tax credits.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 26, 2020

Pros and cons of FRRExit: Correcting the record in the wake of Monitoring Analytics' cost estimates

As states weigh FERC’s Minimum Offer Price Rule order, it’s important to clarify the risks and benefits of an alternative to PJM’s centralized capacity procurement called the Fixed Resource Requirement, the authors write.

By Rob Gramlich and Miles Farmer • May 26, 2020

Virginia approves Dominion time-of-use rate experiment over stakeholder objections

The proposal could be a precursor for a system-wide rollout of the time varying rates, but NGOs and the state's Office of Consumer Counsel first want the company to provide more details.

By Guy Burdick • May 22, 2020

State-federal tension 'at an all time high' between MOPR, net metering attack, says head Maryland regulator

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Neil Chatterjee, meanwhile, urged states to give the MOPR time.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 22, 2020

FERC approves PJM reserve overhaul with $2B price tag, critics say move ignores overcapacity

"We are starting to see evidence that the future of PJM as we know it is at stake ... no matter how many times the chairman denies it,” Commissioner Richard Glick said in his dissent.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 21, 2020

EPA accused of 'pandemic of pollution' as Trump orders regulatory relief

Democrats and environmentalists say the EPA already has gone too far in cutting regulations as President Trump orders additional regulatory relief to aid in economic recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic.

By Guy Burdick • May 21, 2020

Exelon, PSEG urge New Jersey to adopt FRR alternative to PJM, as competitive providers push for CASPR

Utilities and competitive suppliers have expressed concern that FERC's Minimum Offer Price Rule would harm coastal states' nascent offshore wind industry, but have competing proposals over how to save it.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 21, 2020

D.C. Circuit gives new life to Maryland drive to tighten pollution limits for upwind coal plants

The Tuesday ruling could not only help Maryland, but other states seeking remedies to meet federal ozone standards as well.

By Larry Pearl • May 20, 2020

Oregon proposes omitting power plants from 'cap and reduce' plan to meet GHG target

A new report from environmental regulators questions the ability of state-specific emissions caps to drive greenhouse gas reductions in the power sector, so officials are considering another approach: ratemaking.

By Emma Penrod • May 20, 2020

PJM, retail suppliers scrambling to appease MOPR concerns amid state threats to exit capacity market

Critical stakeholders are signaling they may be willing to negotiate as Maryland, New Jersey and others are looking for a way out of the capacity market.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 20, 2020

PJM MOPR could cost market consumers up to $2.6B annually, report finds

While stakeholders widely agree that the next auction will likely not lead to cost increases, a recent report finds long-term impacts could cost up to $24 billion over the next nine years.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 19, 2020

6 reasons why California needs to deploy dynamic pricing by 2030

The state's mandate for 100% renewable energy by 2045 will create challenges for system reliability, which can be maintained if load responds dynamically to changing system conditions, a Brattle Group Principal writes.

By Ahmad Faruqui • May 19, 2020

Maryland lawmakers struggle to mitigate MOPR harm to offshore wind with shortened legislative session

Eighteen legislators filed joint comments with FERC on Friday and over 60 are calling on state regulators to provide developers with a contingency auction for offshore wind.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 18, 2020

DOE targets operational advanced reactors as soon as 2025, launches $230M program

With a growing number of traditional nuclear power plants closing, advocates are looking to a new generation of reactors to propel the industry and help meet ambitious carbon reduction goals.

By Larry Pearl • May 15, 2020

Markets over regulation: Driving lower emissions generation through a carbon tax

Taxing carbon emissions would increase the price discrepancy between natural gas and coal and appropriately build into the prices the cost of CO2 emissions on the economy and our society, the authors write.

By Deborah A. Carroll, Kelly A. Stevens and John W. Rowe • May 15, 2020

Ditching PJM capacity market could cost New Jersey $386M through 2022, market monitor finds

New Jersey regulators opened a docket to investigate how the state could reach its 100% clean energy goals under the constraints of new rules in the PJM market.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 15, 2020