As feds focus on baseload, grid modernization is sweeping the nation

More than 30 states are considering far-reaching modernization and utility business model reforms, including new initiatives to integrate battery storage into grid planning processes. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 14, 2017

South Carolina lawmakers aim to reform utility regulatory model in wake of V.C. Summer disaster

Lawmakers in the state House of Representatives filed a suite of bills, including one that would authorize SCANA, one of the V.C. Summer owners, to give ratepayers a refund. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 13, 2017

US states, businesses highlight climate efforts at UN meeting in Bonn

"There is nothing Washington can do to stop us," former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said of the efforts.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2017

Rhode Island lays out strategy for grid modernization

Gov. Gina Raimondo has directed the Public Utilities Commission and other agencies to develop a more dynamic regulatory framework aimed at advancing cleaner, affordable and reliable energy.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2017

Bloomberg: Duke to spend $200M converting North Carolina coal units to gas

The Belews Creek coal-fired plant will be converted to enable a 50-50 mix of gas and coal, according to CEO Lynn Good.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2017

Peabody-funded study finds Navajo coal plant needed for grid reliability

The coal mining company has previously offered to supply the Navajo Generating Station in Arizona with lower-cost coal in an effort to keep it running. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2017

Virginia regulators set to unveil new climate plan after Northam victory

With Democratic control of the governor's mansion confirmed, state regulators unveiled a plan to cut carbon emissions and join a regional cap-and-trade program this week.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2017

Chatterjee working on 'interim step' to save coal while FERC considers DOE NOPR

The plan echoes comments filed by coal generator FirstEnergy, and Chatterjee said he has met with the company's CEO to discuss its "thoughtful" proposal. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 9, 2017

National Grid plans to install a 48 MWh battery storage system on Nantucket

The Massachusetts island is currently experiencing a rise in power demand and aging diesel generators, which provide partial backup power. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 9, 2017

House acts to boost hydro, simplify licensing process

Lawmakers say the complexities of hydropower licensing have created significant barriers that prevent investments in the resource.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2017

California draft order cuts PG&E's proposed Diablo Canyon retirement recovery rates

The state's Public Utilities Commission slashed the utility's request to recover $1.76 billion in costs to retire Diablo Canyon nuclear facility to $190.4 million, potentially hurting plans to replace it with carbon-free resources.  

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2017

Reports: NextEra leading contender to buy Santee Cooper

Duke, Southern and Dominion are also reportedly lining up offers for the South Carolina public utility, put up for sale after the abandonment of the V.C. Summer nuclear reactor. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 9, 2017

EPA No. 2 nominee was present for crafting of DOE NOPR as Murray Energy lobbyist

Deputy EPA Administrator nominee Andrew Wheeler told senators he saw a Murray Energy plan submitted to the White House to revive the coal sector and attended two meetings to craft its contents into the Department of Energy's cost recovery proposal.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 8, 2017

VC Summer audit raised in Georgia hearings over fate of Vogtle nuclear project

Stakeholders questioned Southern Co. officials over why they failed to include in their testimony a 2016 audit of South Carolina's VC Summer nuclear project that revealed problems with construction. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 8, 2017

EIA: Power sector CO2 emissions to rise 2% next year despite past declines

The EIA's most recent Short Term Energy Outlook also predicts generation from non-hydro renewable energy sources will rise from 8% last year to 10% in 2018.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2017

Midcontinent ISO prepared for winter with 142 GW of projected supply

In an extreme case, where both supply and demand are stretched, the grid operator says it can rely on behind-the-meter and demand-response resources to meet demand.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2017

Analysis Group: Time for FERC to consider changes to gas pipeline siting

In the past several years, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has accelerated its certification of pipelines while also seeing more challenges to the projects.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2017

Energy storage gets a bigger seat at the utility planning table

The growing inclusion of storage in integrated resource plans is, to some extent, the next step in the evolution of the technology at utility-scale.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2017

Exelon's Texas merchant subsidiary files for bankruptcy

Exelon Generation Texas Power LLC has five natural gas-fired plants, but said historically low power prices in Texas created "challenging market conditions for all power generators."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2017

Regulators deny rehearing of FERC retirement policies

The New England Power Generators Association, Exelon Corp. and NextEra Energy Resources had asked FERC to reconsider a 2016 order they say changed how power plants set rates. Federal regulators disagreed with that assessment.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2017

Ohio sues Rover Pipeline developer over alleged water pollution

In September, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency proposed a $2.3 million fine related to Energy Transfer Partners' construction of the Rover Pipeline.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2017

North Dakota regulators OK settlement allowing Otter Tail gas, wind projects to advance

The 250 MW Astoria Station, to be developed in South Dakota, is expected to begin producing power in 2021. A related wind project will also move forward, but regulators delayed a siting decision for the 75 turbines.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2017

Who needs a NOPR? 7 ways to make wholesale power markets more reliable

DOE wants to support coal and nuclear, but grid operators and experts say greater power system flexibility is what's needed.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 7, 2017

ISO New England predicts declining loads due to solar, efficiency

In its biennial Regional System Plan, the grid operator sees total electric energy use declining 0.6% annually and summer peak declining 0.1% annually through 2026 under normal weather conditions. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2017

House GOP energy leader joins Dems in criticizing DOE NOPR

Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX), vice chair of a House subcommittee on energy, joined a group of Democrats filing comments urging FERC to take a longer look at the DOE's cost recovery proposal.  

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 6, 2017