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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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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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  Fire safety outreach is critical to energy storage development

  Some states may require stronger outreach around safety in exchange for other entitlements, including power purchase agreements and local permissions like zoning and fire code enforcement.

  Kelly Sarber and Scott M. Bryant • Nov. 29, 2023

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  Redeveloping retired coal sites into nuclear plants could benefit the planet and the economy

  In most regions, the retirement of coal plants will require replacing the power and grid services in some form to meet grid reliability and end-user needs.

  Caleb Tomlin • Nov. 27, 2023

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  The Southeast Energy Exchange Market launched a year ago. It still isn’t delivering on its promises.

  Over the past year, SEEM’s poor performance has proven its critics right and demonstrated that the energy trading platform is in dire need of a substantial overhaul if it is to be either lawful or beneficial.

  Nick Guidi and Chris Carmody • Nov. 22, 2023

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