Transmission & Distribution
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Vermont eyes 'immediate relief' from demand charges for electric vehicle charging
A Public Service Department report comes at the behest of state lawmakers, who want to examine possible rate design changes to empower more cost-effective consumer behaviors.
By Robert Walton • March 22, 2019 -
FERC opens transmission, ROE inquiries as regulators spar again over climate
Pointed exchanges over climate change policy at FERC's monthly meeting may indicate that approvals for new natural gas infrastructure are again on hold at the commission.
By Gavin Bade • March 22, 2019 -
Missouri regulators approve $2.3B Grain Belt Express transmission line, but fight not over
The project, which would move about 4 GW of wind energy from western Kansas through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, will likely require the use of eminent domain to be completed.
By Robert Walton • March 21, 2019 -
Market Monitor: 3 GW nukes, 12 GW coal uneconomic in PJM
The only nuclear plants receiving market signals to retire are one-unit generators, Monitoring Analytics said, and the only one to recieve a state subsidy "did not need" it.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 15, 2019 -
Chatterjee: Transmission could be resilience docket solution
The FERC chairman's remarks at CERAWeek represent a shift from past emphasis on generator fuel supplies in the resilience debate.
By Gavin Bade • March 14, 2019 -
PG&E cleared of criminal charges in 8 2017 blazes as fire officials say SCE sparked Thomas Fire
As California utilities reckon with the devastating wildfires from 2017, PG&E still faces civil lawsuits regarding the incidents, although most proceedings have been paused by their declaration of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • UPDATED: March 14, 2019 at 2:22 p.m. -
Independent developer proposes $2.5B underground transmission line, to bring Iowa wind to PJM, MISO
The project seeks to connect two of the largest electricity markets in the country to an Iowa wind farm and achieve greater cost reductions by experimenting with new forms of construction for the first-of-its-kind project.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 13, 2019 -
OpinionBeyond transmission: How remote sensing speeds inspection and management of distribution networks
By more quickly identifying potential problems, utilities can address areas where safety concerns are most urgent, or infrastructure is at risk.
By Eric Merten • March 12, 2019 -
With storm hardening 'a larger focus,' DC approves PEPCO underground distribution lines
The $500 million project, which aims to boost resiliency and reduce outages from storm-damaged power lines, cleared its final hurdle last week, and construction is expected to begin this spring.
By Catherine Morehouse • March 12, 2019 -
Hungry for green power, tech giants choose between utilities, independent developers
Utilities increasingly supply 100% renewable energy to large customers, raising questions about why they don't purchase more wind and solar for their entire consumer base.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 12, 2019 -
Michigan ALJ proposes solar compromise in DTE rate case
The administrative law judge recommended eliminating the fee requested by the utility for solar users while lowering the compensation rate for rooftop solar.
By Robert Walton • March 11, 2019 -
Brattle: Electrification could drive $600B in transmission spending by 2050
A report estimates the United States will need transmission investments of $30 billion to $90 billion by 2030, and significantly more in the decades which follow.
By Robert Walton • March 07, 2019 -
Judge scales back PG&E wildfire safety plan in new proposed order
PG&E would follow its wildfire mitigation plan under a new order from Judge William Alsup, but would not have to comply with an extensive Jan. 9 proposed order it estimated could cost $150 billion.
By Gavin Bade • March 07, 2019 -
Oregon OKs dual PGE approach to procure renewables for business customers
Portland General Electric's clean energy offerings are part of a wave of creative Power Purchase Agreement tariffs utilities are offering to corporate and municipal customers.
By Robert Walton • March 07, 2019 -
Efficiency leads 2019 energy job growth prospects
Energy efficiency employers project a 7.8% growth rate for jobs this year, more than double the increase last year, in what the latest U.S. Energy and Employment Report deemed the "toughest hiring climate."
By Robert Walton • March 07, 2019 -
ERCOT sees increased chance for emergency capacity with record demand forecast this summer
The grid operator's preliminary summer analysis of extreme scenarios indicates ERCOT may need to issue energy alerts, but does not expect to use rolling brownouts.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 06, 2019 -
Splitting apart PG&E could hurt California's carbon neutrality goals, Sierra Club says
Breaking Pacific Gas & Electric into separate gas and electric divisions could make for a safer utility, but might create a new company vested in keeping the state reliant on natural gas, the environmental group said.
By Robert Walton • March 05, 2019 -
AEP launches electric utility tech accelerator to identify 'compelling' startups
American Electric Power's initiative with innovation specialist L Marks will be a 10-week bootcamp-style energy summit focused on accelerating the development of grid solutions.
By Robert Walton • March 05, 2019 -
Pennsylvania removes barrier to third-party EV charging station ownership
State regulators approved tariff supplements for FirstEnergy utilities which confirm that electric vehicle charging at third-party owned charging stations will not be considered a resale of electricity.
By Robert Walton • March 04, 2019 -
PG&E says its equipment probably sparked deadly Camp Fire last year
The company announced a $10.5 billion pre-tax charge Thursday related to third-party claims from the 2018 fire, and said its total potential wildfire liabilities could exceed more than $30 billion.
By Robert Walton • March 01, 2019 -
Edison takes $1.8B charge for California wildfires, despite no new liability determination
Utility officials say the number of claims that are being filed and the potential for litigation led them to conclude Southern California Edison faces "a potential material liability."
By Robert Walton • March 01, 2019 -
PG&E disputes allegations it deferred maintenance on transmission line tied to deadly Camp Fire
"We disagree with the overall premise of the Wall Street Journal article," the utility said in a statement responding to the publication's coverage.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 28, 2019 -
California's review of wildfire mitigation plans will be a sprint
The California Public Utilities Commission wants to approve utility wildfire mitigation plans in May — a short time frame for such a proceeding, according to the presiding judge.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2019 -
New York utilities, NYISO to collaborate on allowing storage in state's wholesale and retail markets
Following through on its approval of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 1.5 GW by 2025 target, the Public Service Commission laid out priorities for a working group on integration and market design for energy storage.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 26, 2019 -
DTE's wind-only option spurs Michigan regulators to approve revised green pricing program
The revisions address regulator concerns over cost and pricing transparency and will allow DTE Electric residential and small commercial customers to elect how much renewable energy they use.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2019
