Regulation & Policy: Page 215
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Proposed New York offshore wind site capacity could match a nuclear plant
127 square mile area could generate 900 MW of electricity for Manhattan
By Herman K. Trabish • March 19, 2016 -
Nevada regulator stands by net metering decision
Nevada PUC member David Noble described the raucus environment in which the commission considered solar rules last year. "In 19 years with the commission, I've never seen anything quite like it," he said.
By Robert Walton • March 18, 2016 -
Explore the Trendline➔
adamkaz via Getty Images
TrendlineThe 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 -
Herman K. Trabish
Ivanpah CSP facility nabs more time to ramp up output, avoid default
The California Public Utilities Commission granted forbearance agreements to the owners of the world's largest concentrating solar facility to avoid defaulting on power pruchase agreements with Pacific Gas and Electric after under-delivering electricity.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 18, 2016 -
Mark Goebel flickr
Maine lawmaker calls for PUC to revamp net metering, not legislature
But supporters worry that Maine's Public Utilities Commission will not keep the current net metering intact, casting a shadow over the nascent solar sector.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 18, 2016 -
Deep Dive
Can performance-based regulation unlock the utility of the future?
Fewer rate cases and smart performance incentives could drive utilities to innovate, according to a new paper.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2016 -
Fotolia
Kansas utility legislation wants smaller, more frequent rate hikes
A Missouri senator proposes amending the state's century-old utility law to allow for more frequent, and predictable, rate increases, but critics say it could lead to weaker regulatory oversight.
By Robert Walton • March 17, 2016 -
Report: US generators face $2B in lost revenues from rooftop solar
As more homes install rooftop solar, a report from ICF International finds that grid operators plan to cut the amount of conventional generation they purchase starting in 2019.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2016 -
Australian company unveils major 250 MW geothermal project in California's Salton Sea
Australian company, Controlled Thermal Resources, hopes to obtain regulatory approval through economies of scale and providing a baseload resource to offset intermittant wind and solar resources.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2016 -
Ohio's new clean energy ballot initiative sparks concern among utilities
A new ballot initiative would enable Ohio to issue over $14 billion in bonds to foster the development of clean energy resources.
By Krysti Shallenberger • March 16, 2016 -
Convergent
OpinionWhy battery storage is key to a clean energy grid
In a guest post, former FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff argues that storage needs policy support to pave the way for the grid of the future.
By Jon Wellinghoff • March 16, 2016 -
Study: US offshore wind farms costs could drop 55% in 13 years
If wind developers commit to building 2,000 MW of new capacity, economies of scale will drive prices down 55% over 13 years, according to a new study.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 16, 2016 -
Vermont proposed legislation seeks to overhaul energy siting
The bill would give municipalities more say in where energy infrastructure is sited, especially renewables, and would provide incentives for decisions that do not impact property values.
By Robert Walton • March 15, 2016 -
Deep Dive
ComEd forges ahead with ambitious microgrid plans amid legislative debate
A $4 million DOE grant could help ComEd build up to six microgrids in Chicago, depending on the outcome of pending legislation.
By Peter Maloney • March 15, 2016 -
Deep Dive
Are residential demand charges the best rate reform for DERs?
The debate over rooftop solar is shifting in a new direction, with utilities and regulators examining new rate reform methods.
By Krysti Shallenberger • March 15, 2016 -
EPA: 11 states failed to submit sulfur dioxide pollution plans
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said those states have until late 2018 to reduce their pollution limits or finalize plans to do so.
By Krysti Shallenberger • March 14, 2016 -
New York PSC request for $98.6M bond for energy service companies 'wild speculation,' critics say
Energy Service Companies, known as ESCOs, have come under scrutiny in New York for allegedly overcharging customers. The state wants the companies to post a bond, almost $100 million, to cover potential repayments.
By Robert Walton • March 14, 2016 -
Montana court upholds PSC order to keep original PURPA rates
A Montana judge upheld the state's utility regulators' decision to reject NorthWestern Energy's bid to reduce the established avoid cost rate paid to independent power producers under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 12, 2016 -
New Hampshire House passes bill to raise net metering cap to 100 MW
New Hampshire lawmakers look to revamp the state's net metering policy in the wake of dominant utility, Eversource Energy, hitting its net metering cap in January.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 12, 2016 -
Flickr user Joshua Craig
Update: DC ratepayer advocate rejects proposal to save Exelon-Pepco merger
In a statement today, the D.C. Office of the People's Counsel rejected the most recent proposal made by Exelon and Pepco Holdings for their proposed $6.8 billion merger.
By Davide Savenije , Krysti Shallenberger • March 11, 2016 -
Civil rights hearing focuses on Illinois coal plant
The Commission's investigation of choice for 2016 is civil rights violations related to environmental justice and statutory enforcement, with a focus on coal ash and hydraulic fracturing industries.
By Shalina Chatlani • March 11, 2016 -
Oregon passes 50% renewables standard into law
Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed the controversial energy bill that will boost the state's renewables mandate and phase out coal generation by 2035 into law yesterday.
By Krysti Shallenberger • March 11, 2016 -
Florida senator puts hold on broad energy bill, ties up Flint funds
Florida Sen. Bill Nelson (D) has placed a hold on bipartisan energy legislation, in response to a provision which would expand revenue sharing from offshore drilling along the Gulf states.
By Robert Walton • March 11, 2016 -
Duke Energy appeals $6.6M fine for Dan River coal ash spill
Duke Energy said the fine, issued by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, was unfair in light of the other actions the utility has taken to address the Dan River coal ash accident that dumped more than 30,000 tons of the toxic waste into the nearby river in 2014.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 11, 2016 -
US, Canada pledge cooperation on Paris climate accord, clean energy, methane leaks
After the first joint meeting between President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the two nations committed to cutting methane emissions 40%-45% by 2025 from the oil and gas sector, as well as working together on the Paris climate accord.
By Gavin Bade • March 10, 2016 -
from REC Solar (used with permission)
Deep DiveDueling studies draw battle lines for next Arizona utility-solar showdown
Studies commissioned by APS and TASC have hugely different approaches to solar valuation, but share an important piece of common ground.
By Herman K. Trabish • March 10, 2016
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