Opinion: Page 2
The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders
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Rolf Wittke via Getty Images
Permitting reform’s false choice
Any benefits to green infrastructure that would be gained by undoing federal protections are likely to be more than offset by the proliferation of fossil fuels.
David E. Adelman • Sept. 20, 2024 -
Getty Images via Getty Images
Renewable energy claims under scrutiny: Preparing for the updated FTC Green Guides
Public utilities and energy companies, in particular, should brace for increased scrutiny of their environmental claims.
Shawane L. Lee • Sept. 19, 2024 -
samxmeg via Getty Images
Misguided DOE rules on fossil fuel use will harm human health and risk national security
Two recent DOE actions will effectively ban more resilient building solutions like microgrids and combined heat and power that are among the cleanest, most versatile and efficient ways to power buildings.
Cameron Brooks • Sept. 18, 2024 -
Allkindza via Getty Images
The Energy Permitting Reform Act is our best shot at advancing critical climate goals
The bill would be a crucial step toward America realizing its potential as a 21st century clean energy superpower, but only if we can put our desires for a perfect policy aside and embrace practical compromise.
Danielle Russo • Sept. 17, 2024 -
MRaust via Getty Images
Detractors take note: Tri-State is meeting its reliability, affordability and clean energy obligations
A recent report from the Colorado Energy Office shows Tri-State, unlike some other power suppliers in our region, has ample resources in the years ahead, the general manager of K.C. Electric Association writes.
David Churchwell • Sept. 16, 2024 -
Politicized energy policies aren’t working, but a better system is possible
Pairing partisanship with extraordinary demands on our power grid from load growth and energy evolution is a recipe for catastrophic failure.
Christina Hayes and Todd Snitchler • Sept. 13, 2024 -
TomasSereda via Getty Images
The impacts of climate change on deeply decarbonized energy systems: A New York case study
As the impacts of climate change intensify, it will become increasingly important for energy system planners to directly account for the effects that warming temperatures will have across every segment of the industry.
Kevin Steinberger, Vignesh Venugopal and Tory Clark • Sept. 12, 2024 -
vlastas via Getty Images
Why many environmentalists are warming to nuclear power
They are revisiting their early concerns about nuclear power — primarily waste, safety and costs — in light of new information, and they are concluding that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Judi Greenwald • Sept. 11, 2024 -
EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via Getty Images
Utilities hold the key to the electric vehicle market
Most utilities are already engaged in basic EV-related activities, such as education regarding when and where to charge, and are offering incentives to install charging infrastructure. But they can do much more.
Doug McMahon • Sept. 10, 2024 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
Distributed capacity procurement: A new model for utilities to deploy DERs at scale
The record-setting surge in PJM capacity pricing spotlights the reality that we have been unable to build new capacity resources fast enough.
Pier LaFarge • Sept. 5, 2024 -
Courtesy of Port Arthur LNG
LNG exports make both economic and environmental sense
Exports are not reducing domestic supply and squeezing American ratepayers or power plant operators; exports come from added production and have only a small impact on price.
Kyle Isakower • Sept. 4, 2024 -
Chuck Schug Photography via Getty Images
Generator interconnection hurdles throttle economic development. An entry fee model can help.
The current interconnection process puts project developers in the untenable position of sinking years of effort and millions of dollars into projects with virtually no insight into the ultimate cost or timeline to connect to the grid.
Ted Thomas • Sept. 3, 2024 -
FernandoAH via Getty Images
New York cannot afford nuclear power and must not slow down its Climate Act
Claims that small modular reactors will provide cheaper, safer and faster nuclear energy remain unproven, echoing the same empty promises that led to past failures.
Raya Salter • Aug. 30, 2024 -
davelogan via Getty Images
Getting real about reliability in PJM
The July capacity auction for the 2025/26 delivery was the first auction in over five years that sent a message to power suppliers: We need you to stay, and we need you to bring some more friends.
Glen Thomas • Aug. 29, 2024 -
Permission granted by Esme Howland
Beyond Chevron: The future of FERC’s authority in a post-deference era
Challenges are anticipated in how FERC justifies its regulatory reach, particularly concerning its role in managing transmission systems and ensuring power grid reliability.
Lyle D. Larson • Aug. 21, 2024 -
Courtesy of Fluor
Surging data center power demand risks subtracting clean energy from the grid
Regulators and policymakers must react effectively to big tech’s acquisition of renewable resources by driving investments in new dispatchable energy and capacity.
Brad Viator • Aug. 16, 2024 -
To get more transmission, we need a bottom-up approach
A bottom-up process to build support for transmission development can deliver more line miles faster at lower cost with broad popular support.
Joshua Rogers • Aug. 15, 2024 -
Permission granted by sonnen, Inc.
Why wait? VPPs can help PJM now
Even though PJM’s capacity prices hit record highs for 2025-26, they could go even higher or remain elevated unless the grid operator’s generation capacity can catch up with its surging demand.
Michael D. Smith • Aug. 14, 2024 -
Permission granted by Enel X Way North America
Reconciling two competing goals: residential electrification and grid stability
By focusing on distributed resources, utilities will avoid overloading individual distribution feeder circuits and expensive upgrades that greater electrification might otherwise require.
Jerry Jackson • Aug. 13, 2024 -
davelogan via Getty Images
Stay the course on competitive electric markets
The narrative pushed by certain investor-owned utilities — that the recent PJM capacity auction outcome somehow signals a need for re-regulation — is misleading.
Ryan Augsburger • Aug. 9, 2024 -
gorodenkoff via Getty Images
How data centers are being used to bypass clean energy goals
It is possible that real growth is coming for the electricity sector from data centers, electric vehicles and electrification. But that growth can be met without expanding fossil fuels.
Patty Durand • Aug. 8, 2024 -
Ron and Patty Thomas via Getty Images
Do Tri-State’s member exits signal ‘the next episode’ for PJM?
PJM may look “too big to fail,” and reliance interests are always tough to overcome, but the same inflexibility and internal contradictions that are leading to Tri-State’s demise are roiling PJM.
Ray Gifford and Matt Larson • Aug. 7, 2024 -
Andrey Semenov via Getty Images
It’s time to stop fretting about load growth and get serious about demand-side solutions
As electricity demand growth fuels a crisis of confidence, utilities and grid operators should prioritize least-cost, least-risk demand-side solutions to deliver valuable grid services.
Sara Baldwin • Aug. 6, 2024 -
kflGALORE via Getty Images
Senate permitting reform compromise is a win for American energy and American politics
The legislation would provide a good foundation to undo unreasonable timetables and fragmented planning processes inhibiting investments in clean energy projects.
Paolo Mastrangelo • Aug. 5, 2024 -
pidjoe via Getty Images
Why energy-transition innovators need a sound patent strategy — and how to build one
Identifying existing IP early in the innovation process helps companies evaluate the viability of their project. It also affords them greater leverage to negotiate potential licenses, agreements and business collaborations.
Hilary Preston and Eric Klein • Aug. 1, 2024
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