Regulation & Policy: Page 146
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House acts to boost hydro, simplify licensing process
Lawmakers say the complexities of hydropower licensing have created significant barriers that prevent investments in the resource.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2017 -
Reports: NextEra leading contender to buy Santee Cooper
Duke, Southern and Dominion are also reportedly lining up offers for the South Carolina public utility, put up for sale after the abandonment of the V.C. Summer nuclear reactor.
By Peter Maloney • Nov. 9, 2017 -
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 -
California moves to double efficiency savings in electric, natural gas uses
The 2015 law driving the increase also called for a 50% rise in energy efficiency for existing buildings by 2030.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2017 -
EPA No. 2 nominee was present for crafting of DOE NOPR as Murray Energy lobbyist
Deputy EPA Administrator nominee Andrew Wheeler told senators he saw a Murray Energy plan submitted to the White House to revive the coal sector and attended two meetings to craft its contents into the Department of Energy's cost recovery proposal.
By Gavin Bade • Nov. 8, 2017 -
VC Summer audit raised in Georgia hearings over fate of Vogtle nuclear project
Stakeholders questioned Southern Co. officials over why they failed to include in their testimony a 2016 audit of South Carolina's VC Summer nuclear project that revealed problems with construction.
By Peter Maloney • Nov. 8, 2017 -
DOE NOPR reply comments focus on shaping next phase of FERC rulemaking
FERC regulators have indicated they are likely to make big changes to the DOE cost recovery proposal, and reply comments largely aimed to shape that next chapter of rulemaking.
By Gavin Bade • Nov. 8, 2017 -
Deep Dive
Energy storage gets a bigger seat at the utility planning table
The growing inclusion of storage in integrated resource plans is, to some extent, the next step in the evolution of the technology at utility-scale.
By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2017 -
Puerto Rico oversight head urges Congress to reaffirm federal control over PREPA
PREPA could be fully or partially privatized if Congress reaffirms federal control over the utility, the head of Puerto Rico's Financial Oversight and Management Board told a House committee Tuesday.
By Gavin Bade • Nov. 7, 2017 -
Uncertainty reigns in renewables sector as tax package, NOPR loom
At the RPS Summit in Arlington, Virgina, experts said the renewables sector is closely watching developments from a new tax reform package and the DOE's cost recovery rule.
By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 7, 2017 -
Federal report: It's 'extremely likely' that humans cause climate change
The report says there is "no convincing alternative explanation" for global warming over the last century.
By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 7, 2017 -
Regulators deny rehearing of FERC retirement policies
The New England Power Generators Association, Exelon Corp. and NextEra Energy Resources had asked FERC to reconsider a 2016 order they say changed how power plants set rates. Federal regulators disagreed with that assessment.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2017 -
Energy storage could hit 35 GW by 2025, new white paper says
The technology only makes up 0.5 GW of market share in the United States. But that's set to change, according to a new white paper.
By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2017 -
Deep Dive
Who needs a NOPR? 7 ways to make wholesale power markets more reliable
DOE wants to support coal and nuclear, but grid operators and experts say greater power system flexibility is what's needed.
By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 7, 2017 -
House GOP energy leader joins Dems in criticizing DOE NOPR
Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX), vice chair of a House subcommittee on energy, joined a group of Democrats filing comments urging FERC to take a longer look at the DOE's cost recovery proposal.
By Gavin Bade • Nov. 6, 2017 -
South Carolina regulator steps down to work for Pepco
Nikiya Hall had been a member of the South Carolina Public Service Commission since 2010. She leaves as the state is dealing with the fallout of the botched VC Summer nuclear expansion.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2017 -
Moody's: Regulated utilities stable, but unregulated power sector outlook remains negative
Potential market reforms, such as the Energy Department's cost recovery proposal, could bolster coal and nuclear in the competitive markets, but delay closing uneconomic plants.
By Peter Maloney • Nov. 6, 2017 -
Deep Dive
How Vistra's coal retirements could impact the Texas power market
Coal retirements are predicted to tighten reserve margins in ERCOT, but only time will tell if they will bring the higher prices fossil generators are looking for.
By Peter Maloney • Nov. 6, 2017 -
Georgia regulators begin series of hearings over Vogtle nuclear project
Among the items on the agenda, regulators will examine documents that emerged showing that Georgia Power signed off on the blueprints for the reactors that were not approved by professional engineers.
By Peter Maloney • Nov. 6, 2017 -
Massachusetts lawmakers press for law banning 'pipeline tax'
The state's highest court last year ruled electric utilities cannot ask their customers to pay for gas infrastructure. Now a majority of legislators want it codified into law.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2017 -
Puerto Rico utility regulators push back on feds in new court filing
The Puerto Rico Energy Commission wants a judge to clarify that the federal board that oversees the island's finances cannot overrule decisions from the regulators.
By Gavin Bade • Nov. 3, 2017 -
Senate confirms McIntyre, Glick to FERC, filling commission seats
McIntyre is expected to become chairman of FERC just as the agency is set to tackle a Department of Energy proposal that could reshape federal power markets.
By Gavin Bade • Nov. 3, 2017 -
House GOP tax package boosts nukes, slashes wind, EV credits
The long awaited tax package includes an estimated $6 billion credit for nuclear power but would cut the wind PTC and end incentives for electric vehicles.
By Peter Maloney • Nov. 3, 2017 -
California ISO to increase reliability reviews of proposed plant shutdowns
The grid operator's board of directors also approved entering into a reliability must-run contract with the Metcalf Energy Center. The Calpine-owned facility may be offered a utility contract in 2018.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 3, 2017 -
Portland General to spend up to $100M for 39 MW of energy storage
The utility's plan will help it comply with Oregon's energy storage mandate, requiring major utilities to deploy a minimum of 5 MWh of energy storage by 2020.
By Peter Maloney • Nov. 2, 2017 -
Army Corps. hurricane lead tells House he hasn't spoken with anyone from PREPA
Ret. Gen. Ray Alexander told a House subcommittee he has personally not spoken with any employees of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, but other members of the restoration team "collaborate with PREPA every day."
By Gavin Bade • Nov. 2, 2017