Generation
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OpinionA market-based path to unlocking interconnection queues
When a scarce resource like grid access is given away administratively rather than allocated based on economic value, the result is always the same: inefficiency, congestion and delays.
By Terry Harvill and August Ankum • April 2, 2025 -
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PacifiCorp aims to add 4.7 GW renewables, 1.7 GW storage by 2031
Given changing federal policies, the utility company may keep several coal-fired units operating longer than expected, according to its latest resource plan.
By Ethan Howland • April 2, 2025 -
The image by Jakec is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
FERC review of PJM colocation rules for data centers, large loads may extend past mid-year: analysts
“Participants involved in co-location arrangements should pay the costs of any grid services they consume and the arrangements must be reliable and operationally manageable,” PJM told the commission.
By Ethan Howland • April 1, 2025 -
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ISO New England issues transmission RFP to access new wind resources
The grid operator wants to upgrade the transmission system between northern Maine, where wind generation is expected to be built, and demand centers in southern New England.
By Robert Walton • April 1, 2025 -
imagedepotpro via Getty Images
OpinionWe asked 100 utility program leaders for their top challenges and opportunities. Here’s what they said.
Grid modernization, growing demand and artificial intelligence are among the top issues facing electric utility leaders, according to an ICF survey.
By Justin Mackovyak • March 31, 2025 -
Courtesy of Georgia Power
US ‘nuclear renaissance’ faces high capital costs, uncertain federal policy support: ICF
Bringing new nuclear “down the cost curve” requires design standardization and continued support from federal clean energy tax credits, the consultancy said in a white paper.
By Brian Martucci • March 31, 2025 -
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White paper points to carbon capture as possible data center solution
Pairing carbon capture with natural gas-fired generation could prove cost-competitive with other baseload options, like nuclear and battery storage, according to a Carbon Direct white paper.
By Emma Penrod • March 31, 2025 -
Gerville via Getty Images
Utilities should develop data center tariffs to protect consumers, decarbonize: SWEEP
Rising data center electricity demands threaten utility decarbonization efforts, potentially requiring fossil fuel generation and pulling renewables away from other electrification efforts, per a Southwest Energy Efficiency Project report.
By Robert Walton • March 28, 2025 -
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Moody’s upgrades PG&E on reduced credit risks from wildfires
“In the backdrop of the recent LA wildfires, we expect any legislative and regulatory actions resulting from the state's continued wildfire risk will remain supportive for utilities,” Moody's said.
By Ethan Howland • March 28, 2025 -
Алексей Кравчук via Getty Images
OpinionOutsmarting outages: AI predicts disruptions before they happen
As the energy landscape evolves with renewable resources and electric vehicles, the predictive outage model equips utilities with the agility needed to prioritize maintenance based on real-time data.
By Michael Juchno and Zaki Arifulla • March 27, 2025 -
photovs via Getty Images
PJM fast-track interconnection process draws 26.6 GW in proposals
LS Power offered 700 MW and AlphaGen proposed 450 MW in the grid operator’s Reliability Resource Initiative, the companies said.
By Ethan Howland • March 27, 2025 -
Permission granted by Oklo
Oklo reveals 75-MW reactor design, eyes late 2027 commercial deployment
A partnership with gas-fired “prime power” provider RPower will support “urgent” short-term needs for the advanced nuclear company’s data center customers, Oklo said Monday.
By Brian Martucci • March 26, 2025 -
Cavan Images via Getty Images
Deep DiveTrump executive order threatens transmission, interconnection initiatives: former FERC commissioners
President Trump’s executive order compromises FERC’s independence, is “unhealthy, unwarranted, and unprecedented,” threatens power system reliability and is “plainly illegal,” the former commissioners say.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 26, 2025 -
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Ratepayer advocates urge FERC to reject proposed Constellation-Calpine deal
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should require measures to prevent Constellation from exercising market power if the deal goes forward, PJM's market monitor said.
By Ethan Howland • March 26, 2025 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Texas Senate passes bill to establish ‘dispatchable’ power credits trading program
The scheme would incentivize new gas and other “dispatchable” generation at the expense of renewables and batteries, which constitute the vast majority of recent capacity additions in ERCOT.
By Brian Martucci • March 24, 2025 -
Permission granted by Esme Howland
FERC approves SPP’s RTO West, plus 4 other open meeting takeaways
The White House has not directed the commission to bolster coal-fired generation, and the agency is eyeing reorganization possibilities, Chairman Mark Christie said Thursday.
By Ethan Howland • March 21, 2025 -
RiverNorthPhotography via Getty Images
OpinionLabor-industry collaboration is key to US energy security, dominance and job growth
The power grid requires a workforce equipped to design, install and maintain a system that integrates increased energy production, new energy sources, smart grid technologies and energy storage.
By Calvin Butler and Kenneth Cooper • March 20, 2025 -
Permission granted by Midcontinent Independent System Operator
MISO proposes framework to speed generation interconnection
But the Clean Grid Alliance said the proposed Expedited Resource Addition Study process “overcomplicates an already complex system.”
By Robert Walton • March 20, 2025 -
Retrieved from US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
LPO shows signs of life with $56.8M Palisades disbursement
The disbursement under a $1.5 billion Biden-era loan guarantee restart the nuclear power facility furthers the Trump administration’s goal of promoting “affordable, reliable and secure” energy, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said.
By Brian Martucci • March 19, 2025 -
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Industry groups, utilities encourage more ‘efficient’ Part 53 changes
The Nuclear Energy Institute and other organizations weighed in last month on the latest version of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s technology-neutral Part 53 licensing pathway.
By Brian Martucci • March 18, 2025 -
PJM’s capacity ‘price collar’ proposal sparks market confidence concerns
North Carolina regulators and others urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject the plan, partly because of its proposed price floor.
By Ethan Howland • March 18, 2025 -
Vitaly Edush via Getty Images
Southwest Power Pool could need $263B generation investment by 2050: Brattle
The Southwestern grid operator could need up to to 48 GW of new wind generation, 130 GW of solar and 59 GW of battery storage in the next quarter century.
By Robert Walton • March 18, 2025 -
Ed Williams via Getty Images
FERC reaffirms approval of Southeastern SEEM market
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected arguments made by Advanced Energy United, the Clean Energy Buyers Association and others that the market unfairly limits market access.
By Ethan Howland • March 17, 2025 -
The image by DJSlawSlaw is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Deep DiveSantee Cooper wants to sell its unfinished reactors. What happens next?
Completing V.C. Summer Units 2 and 3 could spark a “nuclear renaissance,” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster says, but questions remain on the project’s scope, timeline and cost.
By Brian Martucci • March 17, 2025 -
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Some SMRs could bypass environmental review step under Arizona bill
Utilities building SMRs in rural Arizona could skip a review step if the units are colocated with certain large industrial loads or built at power plants that previously received environmental certification.
By Brian Martucci • March 14, 2025
