DC Circuit rejects Vistra, generator arguments in PJM capacity market dispute

The Electric Power Supply Association said the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. District decision was “another blow to the health of PJM’s competitive markets.”

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 16, 2023

IRA drives $12.4B into US storage as investments ‘juice’ an already strong market: Freyr exec

Since the Inflation Reduction Act passed, 210 major new clean energy projects have been announced, which have the potential to drive up to $86.3 billion in private investment, says E2. 

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 15, 2023

Explore the 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

NRC approves emergency preparedness rule for small modular reactors

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s “reckless” decision on Monday fails to require SMRs and other new nuclear technology to have offsite emergency plans, the Union of Concerned Scientists said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 15, 2023

California’s facing climate and electric rates crises. Here’s how to solve them.

To be successful, in addition to better communications, the transition to clean energy in California will need solutions that are less familiar to customers and policymakers.

By Matt Baker • Aug. 15, 2023

With a unique alignment of interests, now is the time to address methane emissions

Given the public focus on sustainability as well as corporate commitments, it is in electric utilities’ best interest to ensure that their primary fuel source is as low emission and cost effective as possible.

By Jeffrey Kupfer • Aug. 14, 2023

Shades of green: to get ahead of energy transition regulations, EU companies should narrow their focus

Green finance is a broad, loosely defined capital markets term encompassing funding for a range of projects labeled sustainable. This category of work includes clean energy companies utilizing already commercial technology, new demonstration-stage technology with broad promise, and even companies...

By Simar Grewal and Shawn Winkler • Aug. 14, 2023

Essential next steps for IIJA federal funding hopefuls

Four primary pre-award activities that are crucial for utility project success.

By Calvin Tong, West Monroe • Aug. 14, 2023

EPA power plant carbon plan relies on unavailable tech, violates law: EEI, trade groups

The EPA based proposed emissions standards on hydrogen blending and carbon capture technology that isn’t widely available, violating the Clean Air Act, utility and power sector trade groups said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 11, 2023

DOE proposes 2-year reviews for transmission projects on federal land

“Implementing a one-stop-shop for agency reviews and setting strict deadlines for this process will represent a fundamental leap forward,” ACEG’s Christina Hayes said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 11, 2023

A community solar boom will test Xcel, other utility plans against developer, customer needs: analysts

New state and federal funding and initiatives for community solar can bring equity and system reliability to the emerging energy transition, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 10, 2023

PJM, MISO, others warn of ‘significant power shortages’ from EPA’s power plant carbon rule

The agency’s proposed limits on power plant carbon emissions rely on “green” hydrogen and carbon capture, technologies that may not be widely available, four grid operators told the agency.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 10, 2023

Newsom orders clean hydrogen market strategy as California competes in $8B federal program

The state will look at new financing models, permitting process changes and procurement initiatives to deploy more hydrogen projects. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 10, 2023

FERC approves ITC Midwest transmission incentive despite uncertainty over Iowa’s ROFR law

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision affects a $594 million transmission project between Iowa and Illinois approved by the Midcontinent grid operator.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 9, 2023

Constellation Energy CEO ‘disappointed’ to see peers opposing EPA’s power plant carbon rule

Emerging ways to blend hydrogen with gas and capture carbon dioxide will allow power plants to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule, Joseph Dominguez, Constellation CEO, said Monday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 8, 2023

APS interconnection reforms should be rejected, RWE Clean Energy, trade groups tell FERC

Arizona Public Service’s proposal creates major burdens for renewable energy developers, including “impossible” commercial readiness requirements, the organizations told FERC.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 7, 2023

The imperative of free, green and secure wires reform

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must advance transmission planning reforms and bolster interconnection rules to improve grid reliability, lower consumer costs and cut power plant emissions.

By Devin Hartman and Jennie Chen • Aug. 7, 2023

FERC rejects requests from Entergy, others for waivers of MISO’s seasonal capacity rules

Granting the waivers would have hurt generators across the grid operator’s footprint by reducing their capacity values, the agency said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 7, 2023

Helical piles improve cost, schedule and durability of substantial industrial projects

Helical piles have secured their spot as one of the most resilient, cost-effective foundation choices.

Aug. 7, 2023

Industry cries wolf yet again over EPA’s power plant carbon rules

In case after case, industry has complained that EPA rules would be more costly than predicted. But, in fact, the costs are typically much, much less than the agency anticipated.

By Sophia Ahmed • Aug. 4, 2023

FERC interconnection rule may not speed process in much of US: experts

Many transmission providers already use the just-issued rule’s central reform, dampening its effect in large parts of the U.S., lawyers and industry experts say.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 4, 2023

NYISO warns FERC waiver for Hecate’s 650-MW storage project could set bad precedent

Hecate Grid said it will abandon the $300 million battery storage project on Staten Island if it doesn’t receive a one-year extension to meet some of the grid operator’s interconnection requirements.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 1, 2023

White House proposes environmental review reforms, in part to speed clean energy projects

“These reforms to federal environmental reviews will deliver better decisions, faster permitting, and more community input and local buy-in,” said Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory.

By Ethan Howland • July 31, 2023

Resource adequacy — time for a new approach

Anticipate more activity on resource adequacy in the coming months and years as the clean energy transition evolves.

July 31, 2023

FERC issues rule to speed grid connections for storage, renewables, other generators amid 2-TW backlog

With generators facing years to complete interconnection reviews, the rule is a “significant” step in getting new power supplies online, but more work is needed, according to experts.

By Ethan Howland • July 28, 2023

Barrasso ties possible transmission reforms to ‘premature’ power plant retirements

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., continues to seek bipartisan permitting reforms, but a possible sticking point emerged at a Senate hearing Wednesday.

By Ethan Howland • July 27, 2023