Opinion: Page 3
The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders
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EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via Getty Images
Removing demand charge utility tariffs for EV charging will raise CO2 emissions
To reduce transportation emissions, and fully transition to EVs, the deployment of batteries and battery storage systems is an essential lever that must be incentivized at every level of governance.
Michael Spurr • Feb. 21, 2024 -
SweetBunFactory via Getty Images
Incentivizing domestic battery machines manufacturing for economic and national security
By concentrating on homegrown solutions, the U.S. can drive advancements in battery technology, setting new standards for efficiency, sustainability and reliability.
Bennett Resnik • Feb. 16, 2024 -
Fleem via Getty Images
The hidden costs of competition over new transmission infrastructure
A right of first refusal is not a reward for any utilities or builders at the expense of others. It merely recognizes the need for new infrastructure and provides a first opportunity to those already operating existing infrastructure.
Benjamin Dierker • Feb. 14, 2024 -
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What utility commissioners should know about a flawed Western day-ahead market study
The study reads like an advertisement for a product that’s missing important context and comparisons — and as individual utility filings appear in dockets around the West, public utility commissioners should approach it as such.
Bob Jenks • Feb. 9, 2024 -
Permission granted by NuScale Power
Lessons from NuScale’s terminated project will help pave the way for advanced nuclear energy
The advanced nuclear innovation ecosystem remains strong, with a portfolio of public and private investments, multiple technology pathways and diverse business models.
Judi Greenwald, Jeremy Harrell and Jessica Lovering • Feb. 6, 2024 -
EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER via Getty Images
We’re utility commissioners for Georgia and Colorado. Here are key issues we see for an EV future.
Even back-of-the-envelope math shows that both states may have massive load growth in the future, even beyond individual car owners charging at home, where 80% of charging occurs.
Tim Echols and Eric Blank • Feb. 2, 2024 -
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The collapse of NuScale’s project should spell the end for small modular nuclear reactors
Although there were problems specific to the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems project, the financial challenges and cost trends witnessed in that case will afflict any small modular nuclear reactor.
M.V. Ramana • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Courtesy of Daimler Trucks North America
As trucking electrifies, how we prepare the grid must evolve
Fleets are often able to procure zero-emissions vehicles and chargers in less than a year. Grid upgrades can take upwards of five or more years.
Cole Jermyn • Jan. 25, 2024 -
Ed Lallo via Getty Images
America’s aging grid threatens national security. Here are some steps to fix it.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should finalize a strong regional transmission planning and cost allocation rule, which has been under consideration since 2021.
Michelle J. Howard • Jan. 24, 2024 -
Wichien Tep via Getty Images
Enough with disinformation about community solar compensation
Whether for systems on single-family homes and multiunit buildings or in community settings, excessive compensation creates a significant economic burden for the very customers who can least afford it.
Michael Backstrom • Jan. 18, 2024 -
Permission granted by Esme Howland
Four key predictions for FERC’s 2024 electricity agenda
Looming over any predictions are the ever-increasing concerns about the reliability and stability of the nation’s electric grid. Any major reliability event in this election year could instantly reshape FERC’s agenda and priorities.
William Scherman, Jeffrey Jakubiak, John Decker, Damien Lyster, Jennifer Mansh, Jessica Rollinson and Jake Silver • Jan. 17, 2024 -
RoschetzkyIstockPhoto via Getty Images
Utilities’ misguided opposition to community solar in California
With billions on the line from the federal government, California’s three largest utilities are actively working to stop the California Public Utilities Commission from issuing an equitable community solar program.
Sachu Constantine • Jan. 10, 2024 -
Permission granted by Electric Era
To spur more EV chargers, regulators must get creative with demand charges
No matter what the incentives for installing an EV charger, very few businesses will enter this marketplace if selling the product leads to thousands of dollars in charges that aren’t made up for with revenue.
Chris Kaiser • Jan. 5, 2024 -
Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
3 keys to optimizing energy storage in 2024
Energy storage system deployments can be accelerated through a focus on transparency, risk and safety.
Ryan Franks • Jan. 2, 2024 -
Sean Gallup / Staff via Getty Images
How COP28 is shaping the energy transition
While decisions at the recent UN climate conference are a significant step forward, more action is needed to ensure a sustainable and resilient future.
Andrew Keen • Dec. 22, 2023 -
onurdongel via Getty Images
Good policy by grid operators can address reliability concerns with EPA’s power plant rule
There is an opportunity through the proposed rule to create more certainty around the timeline for the clean energy transition.
Michelle Solomon • Dec. 21, 2023 -
schwartstock via Getty Images
The solar PTC is the game-changer that hasn’t been
But as the market internalizes post-Inflation Reduction Act practices and procedures and adjusts to broader structural changes, optimism remains for the solar production tax credit.
Akshat Kasliwal and Jesse Gilbert • Dec. 20, 2023 -
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Why states should prohibit utility political contributions
The 2005 repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act left PUCs in 30 states susceptible to political influence, jeopardizing their responsibility to provide consumers with reliable service at just and reasonable rates.
Mark Van Orden • Dec. 19, 2023 -
Fokkebok via Getty Images
How offshore wind wins
The path forward for this sector is to rapidly go to scale with a business model that delivers net positive impacts for nature and people.
Johan Bergenas • Dec. 18, 2023 -
Andrei Ksenzhuk via Getty Images
The clean energy transition is here — and so are greenwashing claims
These claims have the potential to cause reputational harm to a company while distracting attention from its environmentally beneficial activities.
Majidah Cochran, Melissa Horne, Mindy McGrath, and Andrea Wortzel • Dec. 15, 2023 -
Banphote Kamolsanei for iStock via Getty Images
Michigan’s new clean energy package is historic for the country, not just the Midwest
The state is now a test case for the country on how to take a set of bold clean energy policies and realize its goals to decarbonize the electric grid.
Laura Sherman • Dec. 14, 2023 -
Tamir Kalifa/Stringer via Getty Images
No shining example: Texas-style electric deregulation is bad for consumers
Texas power market designers argue that short-term price spikes will encourage long-run investment, but why would power plant owners build more power plants just to make sure prices stay low?
Ed Hirs • Dec. 8, 2023 -
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Why is it becoming harder to cancel utility demand response programs than it is to cancel cable?
As innovative DR solutions continue to emerge and mature, fostering a robust DR marketplace in which customers can easily sign up for these new opportunities will be crucial for advancing the distributed energy economy.
Collin Smith • Dec. 4, 2023 -
Oliver de la Haye via Getty Images
The US could still get to net zero
Reducing nearly 90% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 can be done without any Hail Mary innovations.
Michael Jung and Adam Agalloco • Dec. 1, 2023 -
pidjoe via Getty Images
Customer experience and other barriers are delaying utilities’ ability to distribute clean energy
The grid infrastructure is severely outdated in most regions, companies are facing a huge upskilling and reskilling challenge in their workforce, and customers are demanding more reliable and affordable clean electricity options.
Natasha Dowling • Nov. 30, 2023
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