Regulation & Policy
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NERC interregional transfer capability study lacks detail to drive transmission upgrades: EIPC
The Eastern Interconnection Planning Collaborative urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to set metrics that could be used to determine whether more transmission is needed between regions.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 25, 2025 -
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OpinionTrump’s National Energy Dominance Council should appoint a ‘hydropower czar’
Federal hydropower can help meet load growth, onshore manufacturing of key defense components and help address burdensome regulations.
By Charles Yang • Feb. 25, 2025 -
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TrendlineSustainability
Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.
By Utility Dive staff -
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OpinionAre utility demand response program costs outstripping their benefits in California?
California Public Utilities Commission policy has been pushing customers to choose utility-run supply-side DR programs over third-party options that face pressure to keep costs low.
By Collin Smith • Feb. 24, 2025 -
US governors press for infrastructure permitting reform
The governors also aim to ensure that the federal government meets its obligations for federally funded projects, the National Governors Association said.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 24, 2025 -
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OpinionLeveraging surplus interconnection could unleash 800 GW of energy the US needs today
By using existing interconnection sites to plug in low-cost clean energy sources, energy planners can increase grid reliability and lower costs.
By Cassady Craighill • Feb. 21, 2025 -
The image by Jakec is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
FERC launches colocation review, plus 6 other open meeting takeaways
Final colocation rules aren’t likely until 2026, creating uncertainty for Vistra, Talen Energy and other independent power producers, Capstone analysts said.
By Ethan Howland • Updated Feb. 21, 2025 -
Retrieved from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
FERC complies with major portions of Trump order on independent agencies: Christie
However, questions remain — such as how extensively the Office of Management and Budget will review agency actions, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Mark Christi said.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 21, 2025 -
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OpinionThe AI energy challenge is coming to a head
There must be a seismic shift in how the industry defines and measures AI advancement, pivoting our idea of technological evolution from raw computing power to energy efficiency.
By Krishna Rangasayee • Feb. 20, 2025 -
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Uncertainty surrounds nuclear tax credit guidance, NRC changes: Morgan Lewis
It’s not yet clear what President Trump’s Feb. 18 order reining in executive-branch agencies means for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, attorney Scott Clausen said.
By Brian Martucci • Feb. 20, 2025 -
Courtesy of Amazon
Indiana regulators approve ‘large load’ interconnection rules
The decision affirms a pact offered by Indiana Michigan Power, Amazon Data Services, Google, Microsoft, the Indiana ratepayer advocate and Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 20, 2025 -
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OpinionHow to reduce large load speculation? Standardize the interconnection process.
We can haphazardly continue down the path of a fragmented and increasingly untenable approach to large load-side interconnection, or we can introduce rational standardization to the process.
By Peter Freed and Allison Clements • Feb. 19, 2025 -
Permission granted by Esme Howland
White House claims authority over FERC, other independent agencies
Agencies must submit proposed regulations for White House review and agency policy must align with presidential priorities, according to an executive order.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 19, 2025 -
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OpinionAchieving energy dominance without leaving small customers behind
Addressing load growth must be done in a way that ensures rate stability for all and avoids an energy system that houses haves and have nots.
By Ray Gifford and Matt Larson • Feb. 18, 2025 -
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EV nonprofit holds out hope for embattled IRA tax credits
Canceling incentives for the purchase of EVs would harm low-income Americans and cost the country jobs — but there's still reason to believe that might not happen, according to EV nonprofit Generation180.
By Emma Penrod • Feb. 18, 2025 -
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Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro sues Trump administration, citing frozen IRA funding
The state’s agencies have limited access to over $3.1 billion in funding for activities including distributed solar deployment, well plugging and weatherization, according to the lawsuit.
By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 13, 2025 -
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New Jersey residential customers face 20% bill hikes, driven by PJM capacity prices: BPU
New Jersey regulators must carefully examine utility filings with an eye toward keeping electricity affordable, the state’s ratepayer advocate said.
By Ethan Howland • Updated Feb. 13, 2025 -
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Exelon data center pipeline jumps to 17 GW as load forecast turns positive
CEO Calvin Butler called for new approaches to ensuring the PJM Interconnection has adequate power supplies. “A variety of solutions across regulated and merchant participants is necessary,” he said.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 13, 2025 -
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Deep DiveTransformer supply bottleneck threatens power system stability as load grows
Electric transformers are critical to managing power system reliability. Solutions to the bottleneck are emerging, but long wait times remain.
By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2025 -
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FERC approves PJM’s fast-track power plant interconnection plan
However, agency commissioners said they are concerned the PJM Interconnection’s proposal for shovel-ready projects may not adequately address potential capacity shortfalls.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 12, 2025 -
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Uncertainty clouds northern US grids amid Canada tariff threat
If a 10% tariff on Canadian electricity imports takes effect next month, U.S. Energy Information Administration data suggests thermal reserves could provide a backstop against shortages.
By Brian Martucci • Feb. 11, 2025 -
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Existing US grid can handle ‘significant’ new flexible load: report
“Flexible load strategies can help tap existing headroom to more quickly integrate new loads [and] reduce the cost of capacity expansion,” Duke University researchers said.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 11, 2025 -
Courtesy of GE Vernova
RTOs could fast-track dispatchable generation under House, Senate bills
The legislation would let dispatchable generation jump ahead in interconnection queues after a review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 7, 2025 -
DOE to focus on expanding baseload generation: Secretary Wright
“Net-zero policies raise energy costs for American families and businesses, threaten the reliability of our energy system, and undermine our energy and national security,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 6, 2025 -
Permission granted by ISO New England
FERC delay on ISO-NE interconnection plan could lock out 3 GW from capacity auction: Flatiron
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s failure to act on ISO New England's interconnection reform proposal is creating market uncertainty, according to New England states.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 6, 2025 -
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Utilities await clarity on DOE loans as decisive court battle looms
The Trump administration will likely scrutinize funding for renewables and climate change mitigation, potentially affecting outlays for critical grid investments, experts say.
By Brian Martucci • Feb. 5, 2025
