Regulation & Policy: Page 10
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Interregional transmission would grow 126%, to 191 GW, by 2035 under BIG WIRES bill: report
The biggest percentage growth in interregional transmission expansion would occur in the Southeast, according to analysis by the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 8, 2024 -
EPA tightens annual soot standard as TVA, other utilities say science doesn’t back change
The agency expects almost all counties will meet the revised fine particulate matter standard, a fact the U.S. Chamber of Commerce disputed.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 7, 2024 -
Explore the Trendlineâž”
adamkaz via Getty ImagesTrendlineThe Energy Transition to Renewables
New policy and business actions are giving a significant boost to renewable energy in the U.S., but opposition is growing and grid interconnection, permitting, labor and other challenges remain.
By Utility Dive staff -
DOE launches solicitation for up to $1.2B in transmission capacity contracts
The Tuesday request for proposals marks the second round of potential funding from the DOE’s Transmission Facilitation Program.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 7, 2024 -
FERC approves ISO-NE day-ahead reserve initiative, in boost to flexible resources
The plan will provide increased revenue to flexible resources like energy storage that can provide reserves to meet any unexpected real-time power supply needs.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 5, 2024 -
Clean energy groups back Duke Energy multi-value local transmission planning proposal
If approved, Duke could have the only local planning process that uses proactive, multi-value scenario planning, according to North Carolina clean energy groups.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 5, 2024 -
FEMA to help communities pay for net-zero energy projects post-disaster
Communities can now leverage the agency’s grant programs to install solar microgrids, heat pumps and passive cooling when rebuilding schools, hospitals, fire stations and other infrastructure in a disaster’s wake.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 2, 2024 -
The image by Eversource NH is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Eversource, others may be capitalizing on lax reviews for some transmission projects: Maine officials
“Asset condition” projects receive almost no regulatory scrutiny by states or ISO New England, possibly to the benefit of utility shareholders, Maine’s ratepayer office told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 2, 2024 -
Retrieved from Public Utilities Commission of Texas.
Texas to explore new grid recovery options after 82% of blackstart units failed during Winter Storm Uri
The state should consider how its growing battery storage resources could help with system recovery in the event of a widespread grid collapse, said Texas PUC Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2024 -
FERC approves PJM capacity accreditation, modeling reforms aimed at boosting reliability
“PJM’s development of a new framework that seeks to assess the patterns, drivers, and probabilities of reliability risk across all hours of the year is an important advancement,” FERC Commissioner Allison Clements said.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 1, 2024 -
2024 US power sector outlook
The U.S. clean energy transition is expected to accelerate in 2024 but faces question around transmission, financing, federal elections and other issues.
By Utility Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024 -
EEI, utilities urge FERC to reverse decision cutting PG&E equity adder for CAISO participation
The commission’s decision to deny Pacific Gas & Electric extra return on equity marks an “unfortunate shift” in the agency’s approach to infrastructure investment, the Edison Electric Institute said Monday.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 30, 2024 -
FERC Outlook: Danly exit could boost transmission reform, but smaller commission poses risks
Other top priorities for FERC this year include continued efforts to improve the interconnection process, consideration of expanded transmission ties between regions and possible power market reforms, according to agency experts.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 29, 2024 -
Deep Dive
New solutions emerge to better integrate renewables into the grid, Xcel, Eversource and others say
Requiring the 400+ GW of battery capacity in U.S. interconnection queues to have grid-forming capabilities could enable variable renewables growth “cheaper and faster than adding new transmission,” one expert said.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2024 -
Deep Dive
To keep or not to keep: The fate of scope 3 emissions in SEC’s climate disclosure rule
Given all of the pushback the agency has received over its proposed rule, particularly scope 3 reporting requirements, experts are uncertain if scope 3 will make the final cut.
By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 25, 2024 -
House GOP says SEC is overstepping authority, cannot demand climate disclosures
Expert witnesses for the Financial Services Subcommittee differed in legal interpretations of the agency’s power to issue the rule.
By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 23, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Utility Business Outlook: Power prices stay elevated as elections sow uncertainty for clean energy plans
For utilities and the clean energy sector, 2024 could bring “an exceptional level of volatility and opportunity,” according to Bank of America Global Research analysts.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2024 -
NERC issues 3-year plan for setting reliability standards for wind, solar, storage
The plan responds to a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission order driven by concerns about inverter-based resources tripping offline. The new reliability standards are scheduled to take effect by the end of the decade.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2024 -
FERC rejects MISO interconnection queue cap, saying it could be undermined by exemptions
However, the agency on Friday approved other elements of the midcontinent grid operator’s proposal to revamp its interconnection process, such as increased milestone payments.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 22, 2024 -
FERC approves gas pipeline needed for TVA plan to shutter 2.5-GW coal-fired power plant
Replacing the Cumberland power plant with gas-fired generation will reduce carbon emissions by about 7 million metric tons a year, FERC said Thursday.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 19, 2024 -
Extreme weather shows need for dispatchable resources, new transmission: FERC commissioners
FERC Acting Chairman Willie Phillips expects the agency will issue new transmission planning and cost allocation rules in the “coming months.”
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 19, 2024 -
Federal programs create little incentive for companies to make low-carbon hydrogen: IEEFA
Hydrogen producers could gain greater financial benefit from incentives for carbon capture than from the hydrogen production tax credit, which imposes caps on emissions, IEEFA analysts say.
By Emma Penrod • Jan. 19, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Renewable Energy Outlook: Addressing supply chain, project hurdles could see dividends in 2024
It may be a blessing in disguise for the offshore wind industry that so many developers had to delay or cancel projects last year, one attorney said.
By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 18, 2024 -
Opinion
Four key predictions for FERC’s 2024 electricity agenda
Looming over any predictions are the ever-increasing concerns about the reliability and stability of the nation’s electric grid. Any major reliability event in this election year could instantly reshape FERC’s agenda and priorities.
By William Scherman, Jeffrey Jakubiak, John Decker, Damien Lyster, Jennifer Mansh, Jessica Rollinson and Jake Silver • Jan. 17, 2024 -
DC government, ratepayer advocate oppose Exelon utility’s multi-year rate plan
The opposition reflects emerging concerns about rising electric rates, per Paul Patterson, a Glenrock equity analyst. “We’re beginning to see — in certain jurisdictions — regulatory pushback,” he said.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 17, 2024 -
Retrieved from California Governor Gavin Newsom/YouTube.
Gov. Newsom proposes $283M cut to California’s building decarbonization programs
The proposed 2024-25 budget would also delay $600 million of funding for the state’s electric vehicle rebate program, Clean Cars 4 All, and EV charging stations by three years.
By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 16, 2024