Transmission & Distribution

Deep Dive

The 3 key challenges to expanding the West's real-time energy market to day-ahead trading

Power providers in the West are focused on solutions that will move real-time trading into a day-head market collaboration.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 03, 2020

Opinion

Outdated NEPA needs modernizing. Just ask Warren Buffett

As the U.S. economy prepares to recover from the current crisis, important job and revenue-creating proposals like the 1,000 mile Gateway West transmission project don’t need to languish in a regulatory morass, the author writes.

By Paul Griffin • June 03, 2020

As PG&E highlights potential need for fossil fuels to address power shutoffs, groups press for more storage

The California Public Utilities Commission will vote on PG&E's proposal, as well as other measures to accelerate the deployment of microgrids, on June 11. 

By Kavya Balaraman • June 02, 2020

Column

Taking Charge: Coronavirus has disrupted much of ComEd, but some things don't change, COO Donnelly says

As the utility’s workforce ages, the Exelon subsidiary can’t pause its hiring and worker certifications during the pandemic, says President and Chief Operating Officer Terry Donnelly.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 26, 2020

Opinion

Got to have a code: Co-ops, The Wire's Omar Little, and the struggle to exit G&T providers

HBO's The Wire and rural electric cooperatives are rarely mentioned in the same breath, but both prestige dystopian television show characters and cooperatives purport to live by a code, the authors write.

By Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • May 22, 2020

Ameren capitalizes as FCC enables new generation of utility communications networks, grid mod

The commission's decision to make six megahertz of low-band spectrum available for the development of wireless technologies also allows electric utilities to earn a rate of return on networks developed in-house, say experts.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2020

Colorado ALJ clears way for Tri-State exit fee determinations

Some Tri-State Generation and Transmission members want to exit its service in search of a cleaner and cheaper generation mix, but new analysis from Rocky Mountain Institute indicates the utility is already transitioning away from coal.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2020

PG&E appeals new probation conditions, asserting they'll 'undermine wildfire safety'

U.S. District Judge William Alsup placed a stay on the conditions that he had imposed on the utility and scheduled a hearing on the issue for May 28.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 18, 2020

Texas regulators tamp down authority of proposed cybersecurity monitor

State lawmakers "never suggested there was any intention to create a new investigatory entity with oversight authority over monitored utilities," Oncor Electric told regulators earlier this year.

By Robert Walton • UPDATED: May 19, 2020 at 9:05 a.m.

New England takes key step to 1.2 GW of Quebec hydro as Maine approves transmission line

Massachusetts regulators have approved contracts for the state's utilities to buy 9,554,940 MWh annually from Hydro-Quebec, which the state expects will provide $4 billion in total benefits to ratepayers over 20 years.

By Robert Walton • May 12, 2020

Great River Energy to exit coal, close 1.15 GW plant, but North Dakota governor vows rescue

Gov. Doug Burgum, R, called the generation and transmission provider's decision "disappointing" and promised to "find a path forward for Coal Creek Station" to maintain the jobs and baseload power it provides.

By Robert Walton • May 11, 2020

Sponsored by Black & Veatch

As electric vehicles gain speed, utilities power up

  Utilities are critical stakeholders in the new energy ecosystem. The question remains, will power supplies be ready?

By Maryline Daviaud Lewett • May 08, 2020

Trump's security order could have 'chilling effect,' slow smart grid deployment, experts say

An executive order issued May 1 by the White House effectively blocks the power sector from sourcing grid components from China, say trade and cybersecurity attorneys and consultants.

By Robert Walton • May 07, 2020

DC Circuit grills NARUC, FERC on whether Order 841 will harm state ability to regulate distribution

The fundamental question for judges is whether FERC's landmark energy storage order will harm states' ability to operate the safety and reliability of their distribution systems.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 06, 2020

Dominion steels itself for market volatility, anticipating slow economic reopening in Virginia, South Carolina

The electric utility anticipates a slow recovery from pandemic conditions through the late summer as the states plan to lift restrictions.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 06, 2020

United Power sues Tri-State claiming 'civil conspiracy' to block Colorado jurisdiction over exit fees

The complaint alleges Tri-State Generation & Transmission has caused United Power hundreds of millions of dollars in damages in an effort to keep members from leaving its service.

By Robert Walton • May 06, 2020

Trump's grid security executive order will create vendor 'black list,' complicate equipment sourcing

President Trump on Friday took steps to block foreign powers from having influence over bulk power system equipment installed on the U.S grid. Experts say the supply chain decision could have wide-ranging impacts.

By Robert Walton • May 04, 2020

Judge calls PG&E vegetation work 'sloppy and unreliable,' imposes new conditions on the utility

The utility has told U.S. District Judge William Alsup that its wildfire mitigation work, which includes vegetation management, requires flexibility and "failure to adapt could create safety risks rather than reduce them."

By Kavya Balaraman • April 30, 2020

DC Circuit grills FERC on use of tolling orders on Atlantic Sunrise pipeline, other natural gas projects

FERC orders should not allow construction on a project to continue almost to completion while parties challenging the decision are indefinitely blocked from litigation, landowner and environmental advocates say.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 28, 2020

Tri-State, Colorado cooperatives in 'race to the courthouse' over exit fee jurisdiction

La Plata Electric Association and United Power have asked Colorado regulators to expedite the process to set exit fees for abandoning their contracts with Tri-State Generation and Transmission, to avoid FERC preemption.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2020

Deep Dive

As extreme weather spurs billions in utility resilience spending, regulators struggle to value investments

A new study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows the value of resilience depends on too many factors to easily quantify and moves regulators back to human judgment.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2020

Electric grid challenges will grow if COVID-19 impacts extend into summer demand season: NERC

Deferred maintenance and refueling issues could lead to unplanned outages while increased penetration from distributed resources complicate system operations, according to a new assessment.

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2020

Deep Dive

84 GW US renewables+storage pipeline has developers anxious for market integration rules

Utilities and developers are adding renewables plus storage hybrids so fast and cost-effectively that regulators had to schedule a conference on paired technologies. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 23, 2020

ConEd COVID-19 cases grow past 350 as utilities forced to adjust pre-pandemic emergency plans

Consolidated Edison and other U.S. utilities had developed a pandemic operating plan years ago, but officials say flexibility has been a key to their response.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2020

Crashing oil prices, COVID-19 restrictions give boost to embattled Puerto Rico utility

Load reductions due to the pandemic have given the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority more room to maneuver, as it enters a critical period in determining the utility's future.

By Robert Walton • April 22, 2020