Regulation & Policy: Page 127
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Colorado integrates storage into utility planning process
Gov. Hickenlooper signed a bill Friday directing the state's Public Utilities Commission to develop procurement rules to enable investor-owned utilities to acquire energy storage systems.
By Robert Walton • June 5, 2018 -
Deep Dive
How Trump's 'Soviet-style' coal directive would upend power markets
A federal order to keep coal and nuclear plants from retiring could reshape the government's relationship with the power sector, regulators and analysts say.
By Gavin Bade • June 4, 2018 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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 -
Opinion
Will FERC uphold state support for clean energy?
Some are celebrating FERC's apparent defense of state environmental policies, but that reaction is premature, write Danny Cullenward and Shelley Welton.
By Danny Cullenward and Shelley Welton • June 4, 2018 -
California regulators get another year to consider demand response issues
The California Public Utilities Commission is reviewing an evaluation of the demand response auction mechanism pilot, but says the issues are "too complex to be addressed in the informal resolution process."
By Robert Walton • June 4, 2018 -
Trump orders Perry to stop coal, nuclear retirements
The president’s directive to the Department of Energy comes the same day as the release of a memo advocating DOE use its emergency powers and a Cold War-era law to bail out at-risk plants.
By Gavin Bade • June 1, 2018 -
Trump administration preparing 2-year coal, nuke bailout
The federal government would purchase power from at-risk plants using its emergency authority and a Cold War-era nationalization law, according to a memo released Friday.
By Gavin Bade • June 1, 2018 -
California, New York, New Jersey see nearly $1.3B in new EV funding
The California PUC's approval of $738 million in utility electrification proposals represents the largest investment in charging infrastructure by a state to date, analysts said.
By Robert Walton • June 1, 2018 -
Trump's steel, aluminum tariffs expected to raise costs for energy projects
The power industry, like many sectors, is dependent on an affordable and reliable supply of materials like steel and aluminum for virtually all of its major projects, an attorney noted.
By Peter Maloney • June 1, 2018 -
New wind project would move MidAmerican within reach of 100% renewables goal
The utility wants to generate enough electricity from wind to equal its customer demand for a year, though other assets will likely remain on the system.
By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2018 -
DOE IG report faults FERC pipeline reviews for lack of transparency
FERC should improve information sharing on pipeline applications, including upgrading its online "eLibrary" portal and better track comments throughout the process, the DOE Inspector General said.
By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2018 -
Opinion
Why natural gas' reign may come to a quick end
Turbulent markets and disruptive technology will require every fuel source — even those that are currently winning on low costs — to become even more efficient, writes Uptake's Michael Donohue.
By Michael Donohue • May 31, 2018 -
Salt River Project launches first standalone storage project
SRP is buying power from a new 10 MW battery system by an AES/Siemens venture, as it works to increase the reliability of its system and offset renewable energy installations.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2018 -
FERC, DOJ support Illinois nuclear subsidies in court filing
The controversial nuclear payments do not interfere with FERC's jurisdiction over wholesale power markets, the agencies argued.
By Gavin Bade • May 30, 2018 -
Vermont law 'ups the ante' on energy efficiency
To make up for federal inaction, Vermont has enacted energy efficiency standards for appliances, similar to the unpublished DOE standards released at the end of the Obama administration.
By Peter Maloney • May 30, 2018 -
Xcel to add 1.2 GW of wind to Texas, New Mexico mix, as PUC gives formal OK
The utility's plan nearly doubles the amount of wind capacity in that service area through two wind farms and a power purchase agreement from wind farms developed by NextEra.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2018 -
Puerto Rico's utility signed a $900M contract last week. Who will pay is a mystery.
PREPA is mired in bankruptcy and can't pay for a deal it just signed. Federal agencies, meanwhile, refuse to say if they will pick up the tab.
By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018 -
EPA proposes to maintain Obama-era standards for sulfur oxides
The agency is also seeking comment on whether there are "appropriate alternative approaches" for half of the measures used in determining air quality.
By Robert Walton • May 29, 2018 -
Deep Dive
N.J. sets 'aggressive' 2 GW storage target by 2030
Part of a broader recently-enacted law, the policy makes New Jersey the fifth state to set an energy storage goal.
By Peter Maloney • May 29, 2018 -
Cal Fire: PG&E violated state law, causing 3 wildfires last year
State officials released their first investigations into the 2017 California wildfire season last week, which could pose up to a $12 billion liability for PG&E.
By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018 -
State regulators approve Westar, Great Plains Energy $15B merger
Kansas and Missouri regulators approved the deal after the companies removed a $4.9 billion acquisition premium that Great Plains proposed to pay for Westar.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2018 -
South Carolina regulators reject rehearing for controversial SCE&G solar rates
The utility's most recent avoided cost calculations lower the rates paid to PURPA projects to $0/kW-year.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2018 -
Trump abandons plan to sell off BPA power assets
The White House plan to sell off four federal power authorities, floated in its last two budget proposals, was opposed by electric co-op and municipal utility groups.
By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018 -
Deep Dive
Congress, DOE continue carbon capture push, but utilities wary
Despite Trump administration support for coal and a newly extended tax incentive for carbon capture, the technology to reduce carbon emissions is too expensive for most utilities.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 25, 2018 -
Opinion
Minnesota overhauls interconnection standards to streamline clean energy
The standards are the great equalizer in clean energy markets, and remain a key building block to support a strong foundation for continued clean energy growth, writes IREC Counsel Sky Stanfield.
By Sky Stanfield • May 25, 2018 -
New Hampshire denies rehearing on Northern Pass line rejection
A state siting board refused to revisit its rejection of the high-profile transmission project. Massachusettes will likely look to other projects to meet its clean energy goals.
By Gavin Bade • May 24, 2018