Opinion: Page 9

The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders


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  • Industrial background group silhouette of transmission towers (or power tower, electricity pylon, steel lattice tower) at suburb area in Texas, USA.
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    Trong Nguyen via Getty Images
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    Chinese supply chains for critical infrastructure threaten the US power grid

    State and federal policymakers, utilities and other stakeholders must develop and implement effective strategies to secure supply chains while minimizing the financial impact on ratepayers.

    Brien J. Sheahan • April 14, 2023
  • Wind turbines over a set of solar panels.
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    alexsl via Getty Images
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    Grid connections will remain a huge challenge for clean energy if FERC fails to meet this moment

    To promote competition, interconnection reforms need standard processes and rules that leave little room for interpretation or discretion.

    Sean Gallagher • April 13, 2023
  • Windmills in the Coachella Valley of southern California
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    DOE study highlights America’s transmission needs, but how do we accelerate buildout?

    By providing FERC the authority to allocate costs to states according to benefits, Congress can help transmission lines avoid one of the most significant sources of delay.

    Michelle Solomon • March 31, 2023
  • Hydrogen energy storage gas tank for clean electricity solar and wind turbine facility.
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    Vanit Janthra via Getty Images
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    In the heated debate over clean hydrogen rules, additionality doesn’t add up

    A handful of observers are trying to undermine congressional intent by asking the administration to prohibit American manufacturers from having equal access to clean hydrogen production.

    Joe Dominguez • March 31, 2023
  • The sun sets behind some transmission lines.
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    "sunset2" by Barbara Eckstein is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Avoiding a ‘clean power divide’  — creating national electrification co-ops for a just energy transition

    If all Americans can participate, we can achieve the speed and scale required to decarbonize electricity and transportation and save the planet.

    Audrey Zibelman and Victoria Harmon • March 28, 2023
  • The sun sets behind some transmission lines.
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    "sunset2" by Barbara Eckstein is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Not ‘sick or dying or dead’: The great benefit of RTOs

    To argue that some regional transmission organizations have imperfections is somewhat akin to saying, “nobody is perfect.”

    Scott Miller • March 23, 2023
  • A hydrogen tank with solar panels in the foreground and wind turbines in the background.
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    Scharfsinn86 via Getty Images
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    The EPA’s hydrogen push is a federal endorsement of greenwashing

    Burning hydrogen in power plants is no silver bullet for meeting decarbonization goals, in part because leaks could lead to higher levels of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

    Abbe Ramanan • March 22, 2023
  • NuScale SMR module
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    Permission granted by NuScale Power, LLC
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    NuScale Power, the canary in the small modular reactor market

    SMRs are being marketed as a solution to the climate crisis, but they're already far more expensive and take much longer to build than renewable and storage resources — technologies we already have.

    David Schlissel • March 21, 2023
  • At 7 a.m., we had 888,229 power outages in Louisiana due to Ida’s destruction. Power outages continue to increase today as the storm moves through Mississippi.
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    Courtesy of Entergy
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    Extreme weather events are expanding — the US power grid is not

    FERC, governors, state regulators and utilities should focus their efforts on interregional transmission development by encouraging investments that will yield significant long-term benefits.

    Barbara Tyran • March 16, 2023
  • Solar panels and wind turbines in a field
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    imacoconut via Getty Images
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    Can utility regulators adopt Silicon Valley’s ‘fail fast’ approach? A new Connecticut program may tell

    While the pace of electric system transformation and technological innovation has increased rapidly over the last 15 years, regulatory structures have struggled to keep pace.

    Josh Ryor, Matt McDonnell, and Eli Asher • March 10, 2023
  • FERC headquarters
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    Permission granted by Esme Howland
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    FERC must ensure that customer funds are only used to benefit customers and not political activities

    If FERC provides a level playing field, we have a chance to enact policies that are in our best interest, use science, follow the math, and implement non-emitting energy solutions.

    Priya Gandbhir • March 9, 2023
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Station And Home Energy Storage System In Garage
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    onurdongel via Getty Images
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    Energy storage can be a lifesaver for people with disabilities, but policymakers can do more

    During climate disasters and extreme weather events, people with underlying health conditions and disabilities face global mortality rates that are four times higher than those without disabilities.

    Maria Chavez • March 6, 2023
  • Are RTOs and ISOs sick, dying or dead?

    Three recent occurrences illustrate that the regional transmission organization/independent system operator regulatory model is spent.

    Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • March 6, 2023
  • Closeup shot of home furnace burner ignited
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    pricelessphoto via Getty Images
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    To protect families from surging energy bills, stop the foot-dragging on energy efficiency for furnaces

    Wasting less energy to heat our homes can protect millions of Americans, especially lower-income households, against surging fossil fuel costs that will burst budgets for many families over the coming months.

    Richard Eckman • Feb. 14, 2023
  • Modern container battery energy storage power plant system rendering
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    Petmal via Getty Images
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    The US lags on battery sustainability and supply chain transparency — can a digital ‘passport’ be the answer?

    A standardized means by which to track key indicators along supply chains can help the U.S. stay competitive in the race towards decarbonization while helping companies comply with new regulations.

    Emily Burlinghaus • Feb. 13, 2023
  • Solar panels and wind turbines in a field
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    imacoconut via Getty Images
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    Renewables would provide cheaper energy than 99% of US coal plants and catalyze a just energy transition

    Investment in lower-cost wind and solar resources is an economic opportunity worth up to $589 billion, providing jobs and tax base to coal communities.

    Michelle Solomon and Mike O’Boyle • Feb. 9, 2023
  • Solar panels and wind turbines in a field
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    imacoconut via Getty Images
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    How utilities can prepare for Inflation Reduction Act impacts via bipartisan infrastructure law planning

    There is potential for utilities to substantially boost their clean energy efforts, upgrade infrastructure, and improve customer satisfaction, but they must start by developing an integrated plan of action.

    Michael Jung • Feb. 8, 2023
  • Solar Panels on Roof of Home.
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    Cindy Shebley via Getty Images
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    New England policymakers have the tech and funds for energy security. They just need to act.

    Distributed renewable energy — especially when paired with energy storage — can provide near-term relief to high power prices while improving reliability.

    Mike Judge • Feb. 3, 2023
  • Several electric vehicles are parked in a garage under a sign that reads "Vehicle-to-grid (V2G"
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    Permission granted by Revel
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    Vehicle-to-grid charging is coming fast — here’s how regulators and utilities can prepare now

    If utilities do not start planning now, in a few years we will have millions of EVs on the road that are not being used to their full potential as a source of energy storage.

    Laura Sherman • Feb. 2, 2023
  • A pile of $100 bills
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    hynci via Getty Images
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    Getting politics out of utility bills

    Public utility commissions should explicitly bar utilities from spending customers' money on politics, using clear and common-sense definitions of political activity. 

    David Pomerantz • Feb. 1, 2023
  • Close-up of an electric car battery in a factory on the assembly line.
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    Aranga87 via Getty Images
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    A responsible supply chain and circular economy for batteries will be critical for EVs and electric utilities

    Whether it’s advanced batteries for EVs or for energy storage to meet peak grid demand, foreign pressures on strategic resources and the global supply chain are directly at odds with our domestic energy policies and ambitions.

    Steve Christensen • Jan. 31, 2023
  • The exterior of Department of Energy (DOE) in Washington DC.
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    MingzheZhang via Getty Images
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    An open letter to the Department of Energy: Enough with the technical assistance

    Well-meaning as they may be, EPA and DOE, which are tasked with distributing the funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure law, can be painfully oblivious to the needs of recipients.

    Alicia Brown • Jan. 30, 2023
  • EV charging
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    EVs are more popular than ever. They’re also extremely prone to cyberattacks.

    If action is not taken to uniformly protect electric vehicles and charging infrastructure from cyber threats, the mobile exoskeleton of the U.S. could be targeted.

    Shahid Mahdi • Jan. 27, 2023
  • Solar panel installer installing solar panels on roof of modern house.
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    Eloi Omella via Getty Images
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    6 reasons why grid access charges should not be part of utility rates

    Although GACs are extremely effective in recovering utility fixed and demand costs and reducing cross-subsidies, they do so regressively, posing a serious risk to the sustainable diffusion of rooftop solar technology.

    Ahmed S. Alahmed • Jan. 26, 2023
  • header image for Utility Dive hydrogen series
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    Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
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    Green hydrogen – The fuel of the future if we lead with data

    Grid-enabled clean hydrogen can be a powerful decarbonization tool if the production involves 100% hourly-matched, locally-procured, clean generation established specifically for the clean hydrogen generator.

    Benjamin L. Gerber • Jan. 25, 2023