IRA implementation heats up as Treasury clarifies rules for billions in clean energy incentives

The Treasury Department has released proposed rules on everything from transferring tax credits to domestic component requirements to qualify for certain IRA incentives, with more rules to come.

By Larry Pearl • June 23, 2023

Renewable PPA prices rise, peak power prices expected to plunge: 2023 US power sector price trends

Electricity prices have likely peaked, federal agency data and projections show, but some parts of the U.S. power sector are continuing to see price increases.

By Larry Pearl • June 23, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

The 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

NRC authorizes first US high-assay low-enriched uranium enrichment plant critical for advanced reactors

The start up of HALEU operations in Ohio is a “significant step in establishing commercial production” in the U.S., said Jon Carmack, DOE’s deputy assistant secretary for nuclear fuel cycle and supply chain.

By Stephen Singer • June 22, 2023

Hydropower, America’s first renewable industry, could help achieve net zero — if Treasury allows it

Requiring energy producers to source electricity only from newly built clean power would negatively impact the United States’ ability to rapidly scale its clean hydrogen industry.

By Malcolm Woolf • June 21, 2023

Four non-transmission solutions for clean energy with new power lines in the permitting ‘Valley of Death’

Smart technologies, storage, overbuilding and distributed resources can move the energy transition ahead until workable reforms bring new transmission online, stakeholders agreed

By Herman K. Trabish • June 21, 2023

Nevada revamps IRP process, opens path for NV Energy to own more renewables and storage

A new law allows NV Energy to propose a planning scenario to state regulators in which it owns a “significant share” of new renewable energy generation and energy storage.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2023

NYISO picks $3.3B transmission project to deliver 3,000 MW of offshore wind power from Long Island

The transmission project is a “critical step forward as the state works to meet its ambitious climate mandates,” said Rich Dewey, NYISO’s president and CEO.

By Stephen Singer • June 21, 2023

PJM’s capacity market is sound, but changes needed to adapt to evolving grid mix, extreme weather: panelists

The forum at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday came as PJM is proposing major changes, including improved risk assessment and a seasonal market.

By Ethan Howland • June 16, 2023

Power plants remain vulnerable to outages in extreme cold, despite warnings, FERC and NERC find

Most power plant outages during Winter Storm Elliott were caused by problems with freezing, fuel supply, and mechanical and electrical issues, echoing challenges from previous cold spells, FERC staff said Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • June 16, 2023

How the debt ceiling bill’s permitting deal hurt the outlook for deeper reforms, transmission legislation

With prospects for legislation reduced, the focus on transmission turns to FERC. Acting Chairman Willie Phillips aims to issue final interconnection reforms soon and will push for increased transfer capacity between regions.

By Ethan Howland • June 14, 2023

‘Recipe for chaos’: FERC’s Clements blasts agency decision to approve PJM capacity auction delays

Delaying the capacity auctions will reduce market uncertainty that could result from reforms the grid operator could propose this fall, FERC said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • June 12, 2023

Integrating advanced weather data with utility asset outage analysis to quantify wildfire risk

Not all fires are created equal. Risk managers need the tools to understand the likelihood of a utility-cased ignition as they balance their overall wildfire risk.

June 12, 2023

Consumer groups, R Street urge FERC to expand interconnection reform proposal to increase savings

“Rapidly escalating interconnection costs are being heavily incurred by consumers,” the R Street Institute’s Devin Hartman said.

By Ethan Howland • June 9, 2023

Utility regulators with environmental experience more than double; industry experience also jumps: study

The proportion of commissioners who previously worked with environmental issues rose from 12% in 2000 to 29% in 2020, while those who worked for the industries they now regulate increased from 15% to 28%.

By Robert Walton • June 9, 2023

Cities, states increasingly base building performance standards on carbon emissions: report

The number of jurisdictions adopting standards has nearly doubled since 2020, with legislation enacted in three states and nine localities, says a new report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 8, 2023

As states differ on the benefits of Bitcoin, is there a solution to its climate and power-system impacts?

Bitcoin miners’ 24/7 electricity need and financial focus raise red flags for climate activists about increased fossil fuel use, but some miners are starting to see a new solution in clean energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 8, 2023

Industrial groups urge FERC to reject incentives for $280M in NIPSCO transmission projects

A request by an LS Power subsidiary for more limited incentives shows NIPSCO’s proposal is unjust, the groups told FERC Wednesday.

By Ethan Howland • June 8, 2023

Fossil fuel generation retiring faster than renewables are added, causing ‘declining reliability,’ NYISO says

Mandates for clean energy production and significantly added demand on the grid are “creating challenges and complications for balancing load with supply,” NYISO said in its annual report.

By Stephen Singer • June 7, 2023

FERC to oversee settlement talks to resolve PJM Winter Storm Elliott complaints amid $1.8B in charges

The agency will try to help settle 13 complaints from Calpine, Energy Harbor, Invenergy, LS Power and other companies seeking to overturn fines against them for not performing during the winter storm. 

By Ethan Howland • June 7, 2023

EPA memo clarifies handling and permitting requirements for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion battery disposal should be managed as hazardous waste as more of the batteries are produced and more companies expand to manage the end-of-life material, EPA said.

By Megan Quinn • June 6, 2023

Pending Connecticut law to protect utility ratepayers will backfire

If SB 7 becomes law, lenders and rating agencies will conclude that Connecticut is becoming a riskier operating environment because of the reforms and penalties it requires.

By Brad Viator • June 6, 2023

DOE hydrogen ‘road map’ targets high-impact uses, reduced cost and a focus on regional networks

Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said DOE worked with federal partners to develop the road map as a guide for government and industry to “realize the full potential of this incredibly versatile energy resource.”

By Stephen Singer • June 5, 2023

Sen. Heinrich proposes 30% investment tax credit for ‘regionally significant’ transmission projects

The Grid Resiliency Tax Credit Act would provide incentives for transmission projects, critical subcomponents and grid-enhancing technologies.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2023

Treasury issues further guidance for IRA’s $10B tax credit incentivizing clean energy manufacturing

The 48C investment tax credit and a related manufacturing tax credit, 45X, are “very substantial” credits that many companies aren’t aware of, said Moss Adams partner and certified public accountant Peter Henderson.

By Diana DiGangi • June 1, 2023

DOE targets nuclear fusion pilot plant design in 5 to 10 years as it announces $46M in funding

The money will go to eight companies and is part of an agencywide initiative to accelerate the viability of commercial fusion energy in partnership with the private sector.

By Stephen Singer • June 1, 2023