Transmission & Distribution: Page 2
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PG&E reaches $1B wildfire settlement with 18 public entities
The settlement resolves claims related to wildfires in 2015, 2017 and 2018. It does not include individual and business claims.
By Robert Walton • June 19, 2019 -
Utilities are 'the new cyber battlefield,' as US ramps up pressure on Russia's electric grid
With utilities in the cross-hairs of malicious actors, experts say there are health, safety and economic risks for those who rely on the grid, particularly if escalation continues.
By Robert Walton • June 18, 2019 -
Southwest Power Pool to launch energy imbalance market as alternative to CAISO
The SPP market aims to reduce capacity and energy costs, provide price transparency for wholesale energy, and ensure efficient use of the transmission system.
By Robert Walton • June 18, 2019 -
California approved utility wildfire plans. The next step is to see if they're working
To reduce the impacts of preventive power shutoffs — a key part of the plans — two of the state's major utilities have recommended a "resiliency adder" to incentivize distributed generation and storage.
By Robert Walton • June 18, 2019 -
Tri-State assesses FERC rate regulation to avoid potential inconsistency of state oversight
Tri-State currently avoids FERC regulation because all of its members are small electric cooperatives, but it could change that by adding a member who is not — possibly a power marketer.
By Robert Walton • June 17, 2019 -
NY utilities to face revenue hit for missed reliability, customer service targets
Four utilities, including New York State Electric & Gas and Central Hudson Gas & Electric, will face a total of more than $7 million in "negative revenue adjustments," regulators said.
By Robert Walton • June 14, 2019 -
Deep DiveThe rise of EVs could overwhelm the grid, but PG&E has a better plan
Stakeholders can use PG&E’s framework to see where the value lies in meeting the power demand that will come with the big shift to transportation electrification.
By Herman K. Trabish • June 13, 2019 -
New Jersey charts path to 100% clean energy by 2050, with 2 GW of storage by 2030
The state issued a draft 2019 Energy Master Plan with seven strategies for eliminating all carbon emissions from its power sector, including accelerating the deployment of renewables and distributed resources.
By Robert Walton • June 12, 2019 -
NextEra loses bankruptcy court jurisdiction fight with PG&E over renewables contracts
A federal bankruptcy judge ruled FERC lacks jurisdiction over PG&E's power purchase contracts, and the company can move to have them dismissed.
By Robert Walton • June 11, 2019 -
FERC infrastructure report reveals phantom 850 MW coal plant, renewables surpassing coal
It's the first time renewable energy capacity has surpassed coal, and over 40 GW more are anticipated to come online in the next three years.
By Robert Walton • June 11, 2019 -
Michigan approves Consumers' IRP eliminating coal, reducing emissions 90% by 2040
Part of the utility's plan will add 5 GW of solar by 2030 through competitive bidding, including 1.2 GW from 2019 to 2021.
By Robert Walton • June 10, 2019 -
California natural gas costs could spike as state decarbonizes: E3, UC Irvine
A new analysis predicts the state will see a dramatic decline in gas demand, potentially raising costs for remaining customers, with harder impacts on low-income customers.
By Robert Walton • June 10, 2019 -
California fire season starts with PG&E power shut-off in 5 counties
The utility turned off power to approximately 20,500 customers in Butte and Yuba counties over the weekend, citing dangerous conditions.
By Robert Walton • June 10, 2019 -
Changing Hawaii's utility model may only drive high rates higher, State Energy Office finds
Spurred by NextEra's failed takeover of Hawaiian Electric, lawmakers ordered a study that found a change in ownership would likely increase rates, while a change in regulation could lower them.
By Robert Walton • June 07, 2019 -
Deep DiveWildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes: How utilities are preparing for a summer of storms
Man-made electric grids are no match for natural disasters, so utilities are putting increasing focus on speeding recovery times.
By Robert Walton • June 06, 2019 -
Report: PG&E considers $11B fund to settle wildfire claims
The utility would direct about $400 million each year to the fund, under a proposal discussed with lawmakers and major shareholder representatives.
By Robert Walton • June 06, 2019 -
DTE takes on customer range anxiety with electric vehicle incentives, education plan
The "Charging Forward" program includes rebates and special charging rates, with the distributed demand expected to add efficiencies to DTE's system and put downward pressure on prices.
By Robert Walton • June 05, 2019 -
Chatterjee rejects criticism of violating FERC's neutrality with use of #FreedomGas
The FERC chairman tweeted last week using the "freedom gas" concept initially put forth by Energy Secretary Rick Perry, but dismissed concerns from environmental groups and others that such remarks politicize the agency.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 04, 2019 -
California ISO to launch reliability coordinator service in July, as NERC certifies operation
The decision clears the way for RC West to have reliability oversight for 87% of the U.S electricity load in the Western Interconnection.
By Robert Walton • June 04, 2019 -
Deep DiveWith new transmission urgently needed, FERC Chair hints at a new Order 1000 proceeding
Only 3% of new transmission development has come through the Order 1000-mandated competitive process; developers are split on solutions, but all want federal action.
By Herman K. Trabish • May 31, 2019 -
California regulators approve utility wildfire mitigation plans; PUC president to step down
California Public Utilities Commission President Michael Picker promised to remain in his role until Gov. Gavin Newsom has chosen his replacement.
By Robert Walton • May 31, 2019 -
Nevada follows Hawaii, moves toward performance-based ratemaking
A bill sent to Gov. Steve Sisolak, D, this week would allow utilities to generate greater earnings by meeting efficiency and clean energy goals, and delivering new products to customers.
By Robert Walton • May 30, 2019 -
To decarbonize US economy, C2ES foresees large corporate investments and maybe a carbon tax
The environmental nonprofit released three scenarios to reduce U.S. carbon emissions 80% below 2005 levels by 2050, each driven by the fact that the power, transportation and building sectors are interlinked.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2019 -
California wildfire commission recommends easing liability rules for utilities
Legislative leaders and Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, however, committed only to continue studying possible changes to the state's strict "inverse condemnation" rules.
By Robert Walton • May 30, 2019 -
PJM CEO Ott to retire amid RTO shake-up
The grid operator's Board of Managers formed a committee to search for a new CEO and approved five executive promotions proposed by Ott, who became eligible for retirement a year ago.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2019
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