PJM, MISO, others warn of ‘significant power shortages’ from EPA’s power plant carbon rule

The agency’s proposed limits on power plant carbon emissions rely on “green” hydrogen and carbon capture, technologies that may not be widely available, four grid operators told the agency.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 10, 2023

Affordable energy in West Virginia starts with economic dispatch

West Virginia’s utilities have been operating their coal plants while incurring large losses and could have saved their ratepayers money by taking advantage of cheaper available power sources in the PJM market.  

By Ashtin Massie, Maria Castillo, Joe Daniel • Aug. 9, 2023

Constellation Energy CEO ‘disappointed’ to see peers opposing EPA’s power plant carbon rule

Emerging ways to blend hydrogen with gas and capture carbon dioxide will allow power plants to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule, Joseph Dominguez, Constellation CEO, said Monday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 8, 2023

FERC rejects requests from Entergy, others for waivers of MISO’s seasonal capacity rules

Granting the waivers would have hurt generators across the grid operator’s footprint by reducing their capacity values, the agency said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 7, 2023

As Vogtle Unit 3 starts commercial operation, Unit 4 gets NRC approval to begin fuel loading

Vogtle Unit 3 is the first newly constructed commercial nuclear reactor in the U.S. in more than 30 years. Unit 4 is expected to enter into service in the fourth quarter of 2023 or first quarter of 2024.

By Larry Pearl • July 31, 2023

Resource adequacy — time for a new approach

Anticipate more activity on resource adequacy in the coming months and years as the clean energy transition evolves.

July 31, 2023

FERC issues rule to speed grid connections for storage, renewables, other generators amid 2-TW backlog

With generators facing years to complete interconnection reviews, the rule is a “significant” step in getting new power supplies online, but more work is needed, according to experts.

By Ethan Howland • July 28, 2023

Allco asks FERC to void Hydro-Québec, Avangrid power contracts with Massachusetts utilities

The complaint comes as Eversource Energy, National Grid and Unitil are preparing to renegotiate the contracts to reflect increased costs for the $1.4 billion New England Clean Energy Connect power line.

By Ethan Howland • July 25, 2023

Hydrogen can fill a critical gap in decarbonizing, but can utilities make the business case?

As electric and gas utilities seek approval from regulators, they will need to address concerns about hydrogen economics, sustainability and safety.

By Leah Kunkel, Wesley Miller and Jessica Wright • July 24, 2023

Energy Northwest, X-energy sign joint development agreement for up to 12 small modular reactors

Energy Northwest expects to develop the 960 MW project at a site adjacent to the Columbia Generating Station and bring the first Xe-100 module online by 2030.

By Larry Pearl • July 20, 2023

NYC could face up to 446 MW power deficit in 2025, due to electrification and peaker retirements: ISO

Completion of the Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line, which will bring power to New York City from Quebec, is expected to improve reliability margins beginning in 2026.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2023

Lawmakers urge NRC to address several issues in draft licensing framework for advanced reactors

Concerns include “inconsistent application of new programs and terminology,” the 20 senators and 44 House members said.

By Robert Walton • July 18, 2023

Gas-fired generation accounted for 70% of unplanned outages in Winter Storm Elliott: PJM

The PJM Interconnection on Monday offered 30 recommendations to improve winter-time operations, including possibly setting capacity values for gas-fired power plants at levels that match their performance.

By Ethan Howland • July 18, 2023

The meaning of an ‘optimal’ clean energy investment is changing as prices rise, analysts report

Inflation Reduction Act incentives and supply-demand imbalances have developers and off-takers recalculating the value of clean energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2023

DTE Electric agrees to speed Michigan coal plant retirements, renewable and energy storage buildout

DTE will add 3.8 GW of renewables and 780 MW of energy storage by 2030 under a settlement agreement released Wednesday.

By Ethan Howland • July 13, 2023

Westinghouse, 6 other companies get DOE vouchers to help accelerate advanced nuclear technologies

According to DOE, voucher recipients “do not receive direct financial awards. Vouchers provide funding to DOE laboratories to help businesses overcome critical technological and commercialization challenges.”

By Larry Pearl • July 5, 2023

$6.6B Mountain Valley Pipeline gets green light to finish construction

The much-delayed pipeline got permission from federal regulators to move ahead after years of legal challenges.

By Julie Strupp • July 5, 2023

Republicans seek FERC conferences to assess grid effects of EPA’s proposed power plant carbon limits

“EPA clearly lacks the expertise to project accurately the impact of its rulemaking on electric reliability without deeply informed and engaged participation from FERC,” said Sens. John Barrasso and Shelley Moore Capito.

By Ethan Howland • July 5, 2023

Renewables make up 16% of District of Columbia electricity sales, new data shows

The biennial fuel assessment shows “solid progress towards securing a cleaner fuel mix for residents and businesses,” according to regulators.

By Robert Walton • July 5, 2023

As Texas sweats, its electric grid has remained stable, in part due to renewables

The Public Utility Commission of Texas continues to develop a new dispatchable reliability reserve service and approved an 83% pay raise for the board of the state’s grid operator on June 29.

By Robert Walton • June 30, 2023

Vistra-Energy Harbor deal poses market power risks, say Ohio rate payer advocate, PJM market monitor

“Vistra currently has market power in the PJM energy and capacity markets … and adding the Energy Harbor nuclear units to its fleet will increase the incentive to exercise market power,” PJM’s market monitor said.

By Ethan Howland • June 26, 2023

Arizona Public Service reaches settlement with ACC, will raise rates to recover Four Corners investment

The utility will also be allowed to earn a higher return on equity after a court determined regulators overstepped their authority in lowering the ROE to punish the utility for customer service issues. 

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2023

A 360-degree approach to industrial sustainability: Parmacotto and Enel X Global Retail

Climate change is not some future state — it’s here today, and the scientific predictions are increasingly dire.

June 26, 2023

Gas-fired capacity surges this year, solar poised to boom: FERC report

About 113,700 MW of solar, wind and gas-fired generation is highly likely to start operating by April 2026 but could be offset by about 44,100 MW of power plant retirements, according to the report.

By Ethan Howland • June 23, 2023

Conventional generation outages set a record in 2022: NERC

The performance of wind and solar resources must also improve, NERC said, particularly as they place “increased operational demands on the now smaller fleet of conventional generation.”

By Robert Walton • June 23, 2023