Transmission & Distribution
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New York ISO carbon pricing proposal 'in a holding pattern,' says grid chief
NYISO CEO Rich Dewey says a carbon price is the most effective way to help the state meet its environmental goals, but it is unclear how a decision will be made to move forward.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2020 -
Deep Dive2020 Utility Dive Outlooks: What's in store for coal, gas, renewables, DER and beyond
2020 promises to be another busy year across the U.S. power sector as the energy transition gathers more steam.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 23, 2020 -
Ameren, Xcel, Dominion, Duke among most at-risk from changing climate: Moody's
Extreme heat and flooding, along with water scarcity and more severe hurricanes related to climate change, present long-term risks to utility assets, the credit rating agency found.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 22, 2020 -
Deep Dive2020 Outlook: US renewable resources on steady course for increased deployment
"In 2020, there’s sort of a 'come on in, the water's warm' element of excitement and momentum" around renewable energy procurement, one analyst said.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 16, 2020 -
Deep Dive2020 outlook: Natural gas faces regulatory, environmental scrutiny but still wants role in carbon-free grid
Aggressive natural gas investments in recent years may bring the sector to its tipping point. But some stakeholders say the fuel still has an important role to play in a decarbonized future.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020 -
'Most dangerous and capable' hacking group now targeting electric sector, Dragos report finds
There is an increasing threat of supply chain and third-party attacks, according to the cybersecurity firm. Experts say patching vulnerabilities will not be easy.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2020 -
Trump infrastructure proposal impacts 'virtually every' federal decision on environment: DOI Secretary
Coal, gas and wind groups praised the changes to a key project permitting policy, saying environmental reviews badly need streamlining, but NGOs fear the proposal omits critical considerations and creates ambiguity.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 10, 2020 -
Entergy, Duke, ConEd adding millions of smart meters, but overall deployment slowing
While some utilities are seeing significant deployments, fewer customers need the equipment as adoption rates increase and some state regulators have shown a reticence to authorize additional costs.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 08, 2020 -
4th Circuit nixes key permit for Dominion's Atlantic Coast Pipeline, citing environmental justice concerns
A three-judge panel vacated a necessary air quality permit for a new compressor station, concluding the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board failed to adequately consider impacts on nearby communities.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 08, 2020 -
More than 2 years after Hurricane Maria, earthquake shows Puerto Rico electric grid remains 'fragile'
Recent seismic activity led to widespread power outages and caused damage to a publicly-owned 990 MW diesel-burning power plant in the south of the island.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 08, 2020 -
Bipartisan bill aims to end Dominion's monopoly in Virginia
Dominion and other utilities oppose efforts to deregulate retail markets, saying it can increase costs, but similar bills are expected this year in Florida, Colorado and other states.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 08, 2020 -
PJM: Electric vehicles could boost load 1.5 GW by 2035
One industry group says the forecast is likely too modest, as the addition of a plug-in vehicle can nearly double a household's electric consumption and adoption is expected to rise rapidly.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 07, 2020 -
Utilities 'caught in the crosshairs' as US-Iran tensions rise; experts say domestic cyberattack likely
Iran wants to avoid a shooting war following the United States' assassination of a top military leader, making domestic cyberattacks "almost a foregone conclusion," according to one expert.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 07, 2020 -
DC regulators OK 2nd phase of PEPCO's grid mod, but NGOs doubt value for 100% renewables goal
Consumer advocates question whether investments like a new $143 million substation will help the city reach its renewables target and expressed concerns about a new alternative ratemaking framework.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 06, 2020 -
OpinionFERC's ROE conundrum: Finding the right number is harder than it looks
FERC's shift in return on equity methodology for transmission projects is counterintuitive — greater need, but lower authorized returns. This seems like a significant policy misalignment, writes former Commissioner Tony Clark.
By Tony Clark • Jan. 06, 2020 -
Deep DiveMaking the case for billion-dollar investments in grid modernization by answering 3 key questions
Boston Consulting Group’s framework prioritizes the business case for grid mod investments to win stakeholder and regulator backing for billion-dollar spending.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 06, 2020 -
Tri-State members develop alternative generation plans in their bid to exit the utility's service
United Power and La Plata Electric Association say they are "weighing all options" to change their energy procurement contracts with Tri-State in order to cut costs and provide customers with more clean energy.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 03, 2020 -
PG&E rate case compromise cuts $1.1B proposal to $575M for wildfire mitigation
The utility was able to reach a deal with ratepayer and safety advocates, ending with a proposal that shaves almost half a billion dollars off its original application.
By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 02, 2020 -
Washington Gov. Inslee proposes to slash emissions, reach net-zero carbon by 2050
He also directed the Washington Department of Ecology to strengthen review of fossil fuel projects to ensure climate change impacts are taken into account.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 23, 2019 -
NERC: Grid operators must prepare for 330 GW of renewables by 2029
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation expects adequate capacity reserves will be available to meet increasing peak demand over the next 10 years, but warned of challenges to integrating more intermittent resources.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2019 -
PG&E CEO promises 'shorter, fewer' shut-offs continuing for the next 5 years
The utility's bankruptcy will not jeopardize California's clean energy goals or increase costs for customers, PG&E President and CEO Bill Johnson told lawmakers.
By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 20, 2019 -
Xcel, 3 other Colorado utilities choose California's imbalance market over Southwest Power Pool
A comparison of California's Western Energy Imbalance Market with a similar offering from SPP found the larger market offered greater savings, according to four utilities.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2019 -
Opinion
Happy birthday and thank you, O2K (Order 2000)!
As FERC's Order 2000 turns 20, it’s remarkable a rulemaking that "encouraged" (but did not compel) formation of RTOs would prove so transformative for most large power markets across the country, writes former commissioner James Hoecker.
By James J. Hoecker • Dec. 17, 2019 -
Squirrels, cyberattacks, age and climate: Obama DOE official reviews top risks to US grid
While there is much attention on cyber threats and other high profile vulnerabilities, the more mundane, day-to-day risks are also very important, John MacWilliams, a former chief risk officer at DOE, said Wednesday.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 12, 2019 -
Deep DiveNorthern California's wildfire season is effectively over. What's next for PG&E?
While PG&E did not cause another catastrophic wildfire in Northern California this year, it still has to deal with risky infrastructure, the likelihood of prolonged power shut-offs and the specter of municipalization.
By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 11, 2019
