Regulation & Policy: Page 14


  • A group of wind turbines and an electrical substation.
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    NanoStockk via Getty Images
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    Clean energy groups push for more interconnection reforms ahead of FERC workshop

    They called for fast-track processes that would give construction-ready projects access to existing and planned interconnection capacity, among other things.

    By Aug. 27, 2024
  • A wind farm in Kansas.
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    jtstewartphoto via Getty Images
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    Southwest Power Pool seeks FERC OK to delay 2024 interconnection queue process

    The delay would give SPP time to finish studying and restudying interconnection clusters going back to 2018, the grid operator told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

    By Aug. 26, 2024
  • A picture of wind turbines in front of solar panels in Palm Springs, California. Explore the Trendline
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    Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Sustainability

    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
  • Person in hard hat and neon yellow safety vest pointing to electrical lines.
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    Permission granted by Esri
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    Sponsored by Esri

    GIS shapes modern network management

    Explore how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have evolved to meet utilities' network management needs.

    By Bill Meehan, Esri • Aug. 26, 2024
  • The Hayworth Solar Farm, a photovoltaic solar power generating installation near Bakersfield, California.
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    Gary Kavanagh via Getty Images
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    CAISO interconnection reform plan draws support from SoCal Ed, PG&E, PUC

    However, renewable energy developers and trade groups urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject provisions they say would favor utility-backed projects.

    By Aug. 23, 2024
  • Wind turbines spin behind a solar energy park
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Carrots, sticks or both: State efforts to combat anti-renewables NIMBYs

    In pursuit of zero-emissions electricity goals and tax windfalls from utility-scale renewables, states are taking a range of approaches to disarm opponents.

    By Brian Martucci • Aug. 22, 2024
  • An Oklahoma wind farm, cattle ranch and crop lands.
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    milehightraveler via Getty Images
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    MISO, SPP advance ‘unprecedented’ transmission plan that could support up to 30 GW

    The grid operators are seeking Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approvals that are needed to build $1.7 billion in transmission projects along their northern border.

    By Aug. 22, 2024
  • A rooftop solar installation against the backdrop of the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in midtown Manhattan.
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    FernandoAH via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    California pioneers new ways to ease interconnection of large DERs

    Limited generation profiles in California will schedule limits to DERs during system constraints. New York, Illinois, Colorado and others are testing more flexible approaches.

    By Aug. 21, 2024
  • Two technicians wearing yellow vests walking past racks of electronic equipment in a data center for cryptocurrency mining.
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    halbergman via Getty Images
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    FERC rejects Basin Electric’s cryptocurrency mining rate proposal

    Basin Electric failed to show it was fair to treat cryptocurrency loads differently from other similar-sized loads, the agency said in a potentially precedent-setting decision.

    By Aug. 21, 2024
  • FERC headquarters
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    Permission granted by Esme Howland
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    Opinion

    Beyond Chevron: The future of FERC’s authority in a post-deference era

    Challenges are anticipated in how FERC justifies its regulatory reach, particularly concerning its role in managing transmission systems and ensuring power grid reliability.

    By Lyle D. Larson • Aug. 21, 2024
  • People get sprayed by water on a city street lined with cars.
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    Adam Gray/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    With 10 new climate resilience centers, DOE aims to translate research into local action

    Researchers will work on actionable science and tools to help local stakeholders combat extreme heat, flooding, drought and more, the U.S. Department of Energy announced last week.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 20, 2024
  • Talen Energy coal-fired Brandon Shores power plant near Baltimore.
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    Stuby, James. Retrieved from Wikimedia.
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    Maryland electric customers face up to 24% bill hikes from PJM capacity auction: report

    Reliability-must-run contracts for two Talen Energy power plants added about $5 billion to PJM’s capacity costs in its last auction, Synapse Energy Economics found.

    By Aug. 15, 2024
  • One of the buildings of the Soleil Lofts apartment complex in Herriman, Utah
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    Permission granted by sonnen, Inc.
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    Opinion

    Why wait? VPPs can help PJM now

    Even though PJM’s capacity prices hit record highs for 2025-26, they could go even higher or remain elevated unless the grid operator’s generation capacity can catch up with its surging demand.

    By Michael D. Smith • Aug. 14, 2024
  • A tall steel and glass apartment building on the New York City skyline.
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    Permission granted by DBOX
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    New York ISO reforms interconnection queue, launches cluster study reviews

    The changes, which comply with FERC Order 2023, “deliver greater efficiencies and transparency in our interconnection process,” New York ISO President and CEO Rich Dewey said.

    By Aug. 13, 2024
  • Power lines leading into the city of Cleveland Ohio at sunset time.
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    davelogan via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Stay the course on competitive electric markets

    The narrative pushed by certain investor-owned utilities — that the recent PJM capacity auction outcome somehow signals a need for re-regulation — is misleading.

    By Ryan Augsburger • Aug. 9, 2024
  • Towing a liquefied gas tanker.
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    lyash01 via Getty Images
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    Biden administration appealing injunction against LNG pause

    A district court judge dismissed 11 of 16 charges against the administration but restricted it from further halting or pausing approvals for new liquefied natural gas export terminals.

    By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 8, 2024
  • An aerial view of a large industrial building with a power plant and transmission facilities in the background.
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    Courtesy of LS Power
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    LS Power unit to pay $2.7M to settle alleged CAISO market violations

    A REV Renewables battery storage system made improper bids in California’s wholesale power market, according to FERC enforcement office staff.

    By Aug. 7, 2024
  • A rendering of a large liquefied natural gas plant that spreads along a riverbed. Two ships are docked in the left side of the photo at the docks.
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    Permission granted by Bechtel
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    DC Circuit vacates FERC’s reapproval of 2 LNG export terminals, gas pipeline

    The court decision could delay liquefied natural gas export projects in Texas owned by NextDecade and Glenfarne Energy Transition, research firm ClearView Energy Partners said.

    By Aug. 7, 2024
  • Power lines course through the hills east of San Francisco Bay.
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    John Randall Alves via Getty Images
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    Innovative transmission, energy storage projects in 18 states get $2.2B from DOE

    Companies involved in winning projects include Allete, Duke Energy, Eversource, Grid United, National Grid, Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison.

    By Aug. 6, 2024
  • Corn field with transmission lines and wind turbines.
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    kflGALORE via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Senate permitting reform compromise is a win for American energy and American politics

    The legislation would provide a good foundation to undo unreasonable timetables and fragmented planning processes inhibiting investments in clean energy projects.

    By Paolo Mastrangelo • Aug. 5, 2024
  • The exterior of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
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    Jemal Countess via Getty Images
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    Window to repeal SEC climate disclosure rule closes

    While Republicans failed to repeal the rule through the Congressional Review Act, it is still being targeted by policy riders in the appropriations process.

    By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 5, 2024
  • Nuclear power plant on a shore of Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania, on a winter sunny day.
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    Alex Potemkin via Getty Images
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    FERC seeks more info on Talen-Amazon nuclear interconnection pact

    The federal agency also said it plans to hold a technical conference in the fall on issues related to co-locating large loads at power plants.

    By Aug. 5, 2024
  • Two tall white industrial structures stand among an array of buildings.
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    Courtesy of Georgia Power
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    US nuclear policy gains boost fuel supplier Cameco as Q2 earnings jump 157%

    The Canadian uranium producer sees long-term order growth as clean energy demand rises and U.S. nuclear operators seek alternatives to Russian supplies

    By Brian Martucci • Aug. 2, 2024
  • President Joe Biden sits at a desk to deliver an address.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    USTR to decide soon on proposed tariff hikes for Chinese solar cells, EVs, other items

    The White House’s rationale for increasing tariffs is to make the U.S. more competitive in the clean energy and technology sectors, a major focus during the Biden administration.

    By Philip Neuffer • Aug. 2, 2024
  • The silhouette of a high voltage power line line towers during sunset.
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    imaginima via Getty Images
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    PJM capacity auction to lead to double-digit rate hikes for Exelon utilities: CFO

    When asked about possible power plant ownership, Exelon President and CEO Calvin Butler said, “We're working with our [state utility] commissions on all types of scenarios.”

    By Aug. 2, 2024
  • Electric power lines cross a scrubby desert with a mesa in the background.
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    Vitaly Edush via Getty Images
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    FERC calls SPP Western market proposal ‘deficient,’ requests more info

    Southwest Power Pool is developing a response to questions about its Western day-ahead electricity market, including rules around transmission capacity availability and resource aggregations.

    By Aug. 2, 2024