Transmission & Distribution: Page 2

EPRI: Threat of EMP attacks on US transmission has been overstated

While regional service interruption is possible as a result of electromagnetic pulses from solar flares or other sources, the three-year study finds national grid failure is unlikely.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 01, 2019

CPUC directs PG&E to reduce risk of power shut-offs as it mostly OKs utility fire plans

The Public Utility Commission found the state's major utilities mostly compliant with state wildfire laws, but flagged seven areas for improvement for PG&E and three for SCE.

By Robert Walton • May 01, 2019

Retail energy suppliers, others reject New York utilities' proposed cybersecurity protocols

Cyberthreats are on the rise and while energy stakeholders in New York agree on the importance of enhanced security measures, they disagree over who should pay for it. 

By HJ Mai • May 01, 2019

Avista signs on to Western Energy Imbalance Market, projecting more renewables integration

The real-time wholesale energy market automatically provides the lowest-cost energy available to meet utility customer needs, and savings are growing along with the roster of market participants.

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2019

California PUC proposes guidelines for 'last resort' de-energizations as wildfire season looms

Utilities may need to de-energize power lines during high winds, but the California Public Utilities Commission's proposal makes clear it can only do that "as a measure of last resort."

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2019

PG&E revises wildfire mitigation plan to remove hard inspection and improvement deadlines

The utility told regulators it wants to "revise certain targets" because it would likely miss some deadlines due to a range of factors, from the federal government shutdown to weather and access challenges.

By Robert Walton • April 29, 2019

California adopts 2030 Preferred System Portfolio with 12 GW new wind, solar, storage, geothermal

Regulators voted unanimously on an "optimal 2030 portfolio" of supply- and demand-side resources to achieve climate goals, citing concerns about community choice aggregator planning.

By Robert Walton • April 29, 2019

Florida utilities reach storm cost settlement as New York regulators threaten fines

Settlements with Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric Co. would use tax savings to help the utilities cover the costs of Hurricane Irma in 2017.

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2019

Con Edison announces deal to end Westchester moratorium on gas hookups

The agreement for an extra 110,000 dekatherms of natural gas capacity would let the utility create new connections by November 2023 in a county near New York City, where demand for heating has grown with new construction.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 25, 2019

PG&E asks for higher ROE to fund wildfire safety upgrades

The utility says a higher return on equity is essential to attract investors, but its proposal would raise average residential electric rates by 7%.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2019

FERC approves LNG terminals as anti-fossil protestors scale headquarters

Both sides say climate change is a 'crisis' — but have divergent strategies to address it.

By Gavin Bade • April 18, 2019

NYISO approves 'historic' transmission to boost transfer capability to 900 MW

Clean energy advocates celebrated the projects, which they say will help the state reach its ultimate goal of 100% carbon-free generation by 2040.

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2019

PG&E shares jump as California report advocates wildfire liability changes

Strict fire liability rules are not working and "under the status quo, all parties lose," according to a new report from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2019

Deep Dive

Renewable procurement gaps pose risk for California's climate goals, but what solution is best?

A new bill may capture broad agreement about the need for a central backstop procurement entity, but doubts about it remain.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2019

Southern California Edison requests higher ROE, citing wildfire risks

The utility told federal regulators the share price of its parent company has "dropped dramatically since 2017 as a result of this wildfire risk."

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2019

Montana approves bill to allow utility power sales to EV charging stations

The bill headed to Gov. Steve Bullock also determines the EV charging companies are not public utilities and directs regulators to set rates for EV charging. 

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2019

Dominion gas explosion kills 1, injures 17 in North Carolina

A rupture to a two-inch gas line caused a leak that led to the explosion late Wednesday morning.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 11, 2019

Minnesota advances on performance-based rates, asks what metrics to consider

State regulators opened a public comment period last week on what data points must be measured in order to evaluate utility performance — the first step in linking those outcomes to utility rates.

By Robert Walton • April 09, 2019

Opinion

Grid modernization is the best new deal

A Grid Modernization Act could accomplish many of the Green New Deal's goals by improving public health, creating jobs, spurring innovation, strengthening national security and making our communities more resilient.

By Hon. Dennis McGinn and Roger Sorkin • April 09, 2019

ISO-NE considers new seasonal forward market to improve energy security

The grid operator published a white paper that questions whether wholesale markets provide sufficient return for resource owners.

By Robert Walton • April 08, 2019

Southwest Power Pool considers launching alternative to CAISO energy imbalance market

The grid operator issued a call on Thursday for utilities and other customers to help design and implement a new real-time market for the Western Interconnection.

By Robert Walton • April 05, 2019

Deep Dive

Floating solar offers unique bargains — U.S. utilities are missing out

Siting photovoltaics on water is proving reliable worldwide, and the PVs could meet almost 10% of U.S. electricity needs at market-competitive costs, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 04, 2019

PG&E taps new CEO, 10 directors to lead utility through bankruptcy

Former TVA chief Bill Johnson will take over leadership and seven board members will step down as the embattled utility seeks new direction following a bankruptcy filing related to California's deadly wildfires.

By Robert Walton • April 04, 2019

Moody's: Ire toward PG&E means change to California fire liability rules unlikely

The state is unlikely to change its inverse condemnation rules, which can make utilities accountable for wildfire damage even if they're not negligent, but a state catastrophe fund is the most likely reform, the ratings agency said.

By Robert Walton • April 04, 2019

Chugach Electric files for state approval of $1B Alaska muni purchase

It has been a year since voters in Anchorage, Alaska, authorized the sale of the city's municipal utility. Now, state regulators must approve the deal.

By Robert Walton • April 04, 2019