State bills spur debate over who should build transmission: incumbent utilities or independent companies

Companies such as LS Power, NextEra, Evergy and ITC Great Plains are pressing lawmakers on bills that may determine who can build transmission projects costing in the billions of dollars across the central United States.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 23, 2023

Environmental justice is a growing operational factor. How are federal and state agencies defining it?

The definition of an environmental justice or disadvantaged area varies among states and between states and the U.S. EPA, with each term having a different range of implications.

By Myisha Majumder • Feb. 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

FERC approves PJM’s mid-auction capacity rule change over protests from NRG, Vistra, other generators

The decision violates the filed-rate doctrine and is akin to playing blackjack at the “Federal Energy Regulatory Casino,” which can change the rules in the middle of a game, according to FERC Commissioner James Danly.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 22, 2023

EPA reverses Trump-era decision on power plant mercury standards, paving way for stricter limits

The decision on Friday was needed for any future tightening of mercury and other emissions limits for power plants.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 21, 2023

CPUC poised to reject Sunnova’s plan to build microgrids in new residential communities

Sunnova’s proposal involves owning and operating microgrids as part of new, master-planned residential communities that would include up to 2,000 homes and some non-residential facilities.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 21, 2023

Bipartisan legislation would increase US uranium production to promote nuclear energy

To the extent possible, DOE will not disrupt or replace market mechanisms by competing with U.S. nuclear energy companies, according to the legislation.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 21, 2023

New power system cybersecurity architectures can be ‘vaults’ against insider attacks, analysts say

Utility operations facing hackers now, and a future of minimally-protected distributed energy resources, will need smarter, more complex defenses, from control rooms to customer-owned devices, analysts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 17, 2023

FERC OKs cold weather reliability standards for US generators but orders NERC to address shortcomings

Proposals from the North American Electric Reliability Corp. were considered “not up to the task." FERC directed the grid watchdog organization to bolster them, partly by setting certain deadlines.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 17, 2023

Texas Sen. Menéndez: Performance credit could take years to implement, but efficiency and DR are immediate

An overhaul of the Texas energy market could take years to implement while energy-saving measures could be launched “today, tomorrow, the next day,” said state Sen. José Menéndez, D.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2023

FERC rejects American Clean Power, RENEW Northeast complaint alleging ISO-NE bias towards gas plants

Amid a wintertime reliability threat, the agency should propose a solution for New England instead of waiting for the grid operator to offer one, Commissioner Allison Clements said.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 17, 2023

DC Circuit upholds FERC decision on Broadview solar-battery PURPA project in blow to NorthWestern, EEI

However, the Inflation Reduction Act has blunted the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act’s importance in renewable energy development, experts said.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 16, 2023

AEP, Xcel, OG&E ask FERC to overturn Southwest Power Pool decision to hike reserve margin

The increased reserve requirement gives utilities six months to procure 1.6 GW and exposes them to $173 million in penalties, according to the complaint filed at FERC.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 15, 2023

EPA outlines $27B in clean energy grants as Biden administration remains open to national green bank

The funds will be available through a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act, with distribution focused on low-income and disadvantaged communities.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2023

To protect families from surging energy bills, stop the foot-dragging on energy efficiency for furnaces

Wasting less energy to heat our homes can protect millions of Americans, especially lower-income households, against surging fossil fuel costs that will burst budgets for many families over the coming months.

By Richard Eckman • Feb. 14, 2023

US issues Inflation Reduction Act guidance to drive billions to low-income and coal communities

At least $4 billion of the tax credits under the expanded Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit program must go to projects at closed coal mines or retired coal-fired power plants.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 14, 2023

NextEra, renewable trade group urge FERC to keep competitively bid East Texas transmission project alive

Entergy supports the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s plan to cancel the $115 million project, which has been delayed by a right-of-first-refusal law.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 14, 2023

NRC issues first update of 2010 regulatory guide to strengthen cybersecurity at nuclear plants

The revision incorporates references to industry guidance on identifying and protecting critical digital assets. It also clarifies guidance on comprehensive protections for cybersecurity.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 13, 2023

FERC approves Western Resource Adequacy Program for regional capacity sharing

Utilities such as Arizona Public Service, PacifiCorp and Puget Sound Energy will be able to share capacity through the program that takes effect in 2025.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 13, 2023

Adapting T&D investments to climate projections is the strategic choice

The energy system is one of many critical infrastructure sectors impacted by these disasters—growing in importance as dependence on electricity increases.

By Andrew Phillips, EPRI vice president of T&D Infrastructure • Feb. 13, 2023

Decarbonization by most utilities ‘uneven’ as they expand emissions targets: report

Utilities have set different carbon-reduction targets that include net-zero, carbon-neutral, carbon-free, greenhouse gas-free and relative emissions reductions.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 9, 2023

How utilities can prepare for Inflation Reduction Act impacts via bipartisan infrastructure law planning

There is potential for utilities to substantially boost their clean energy efforts, upgrade infrastructure, and improve customer satisfaction, but they must start by developing an integrated plan of action.

By Michael Jung • Feb. 8, 2023

House Republicans target SEC climate risk rule

Having taken control of the U.S. House, Republicans are redoubling efforts to thwart the Biden administration’s sustainability initiatives.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 7, 2023

Minnesota bill mandating 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 heads to governor’s desk

The bill also calls for utilities to generate at least 55% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2035.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 7, 2023

Connecticut drafts a performance-based regulation system following utilities’ storm response

 A new regulatory system would provide “meaningful financial opportunities and penalties” for electric utilities with “guardrails” to protect customers, according to a staff proposal at the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 6, 2023

FERC grants Great River transmission incentives as commissioner decries consumer impacts

FERC Commissioner Mark Christie Tuesday called for revisiting the agency’s incentives for transmission projects, which he said shift costs and risks to consumers.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 3, 2023