Regulation & Policy: Page 58
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CCAs accelerate California's clean energy transition, providing a model for other states: report
Between 2011 and 2019, CCAs in California purchased 23.5 million MWh of renewable energy, more than twice what they were required to.
By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 28, 2021 -
Biden order aims to double offshore wind, boost transmission, end fossil fuel subsidies
In total, the president signed three executive orders, all aimed at placing the climate crisis at the center of his administration and moving the U.S. toward 100% clean electricity by 2035.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 28, 2021 -
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 -
Deep Dive
Want a more distributed and lower cost power system? Try this new planning tool
Vibrant Clean Energy offers system modeling to match today's granularity and breaks the barrier between bulk system and distribution system planning.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2021 -
Senate confirms Granholm to lead DOE
Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm's approval to lead the Department of Energy comes about a month after a Senate confirmation hearing that highlighted fears not all Americans will prosper in the clean energy economy.
By Robert Walton • Updated Feb. 26, 2021 -
Opinion
Organized regional power markets: A rich source of benefits
The case is compelling for expanding the reach of organized regional markets, and exploring expansion has bipartisan support in Congress, former FERC Commissioner William Massey writes.
By William Massey • Jan. 28, 2021 -
California regulators express 'deep concern' over SCE 2020 power shutoff practices
Concerns include a lack of transparency around the utility's decision-making processes and coordination with state and local government entities.
By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 27, 2021 -
Chatterjee calls on Congress to update federal energy policy to alleviate burden on FERC
"Legislative intransigence in Washington has put more and more of the critical decision making in the hands of agencies...that may not necessarily have the tools to address the complex challenges before us," the commissioner said.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 27, 2021 -
SCE settles 2018 wildfire insurance claims for $2.2B, faces potential fines over energy efficiency program
The utility has now resolved all subrogation claims related to the 2017 and 2018 fires and mudslides, according to Edison International's CEO.
By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 26, 2021 -
National Grid petitions NY PSC to approve small battery project's dispatch, wholesale market roles
If approved, the small system will let the company learn how much larger battery projects will cope with the New York Independent System Operator's requirements for both processes.
By Leslie Nemo • Jan. 26, 2021 -
Duke coal ash clean up settlement shifts $1.1B in costs away from North Carolina ratepayers
The proposed settlement details how the utility will allocate the costs of its coal ash removal, allowing it to earn a return on equity from the cleanup, though at a lower rate than it had originally proposed.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 26, 2021 -
Opinion
America's investor-owned utilities: We can achieve a 100% clean energy future
With the right policies and the right technologies, a 100% clean energy future can be more than a goal. It can be a reality, Edison Electric Institute President Tom Kuhn writes.
By Tom Kuhn • Jan. 26, 2021 -
Duke stranded gas assets could cost customers $4.8B, report finds
The utility's long-term resource plans in the Carolinas could add up to 9.6 GW of new gas resources by 2050, but a "substantial" amount will need to come offline to meet its zero-emissions goals, the report found.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 26, 2021 -
Minnesota governor accelerates state's carbon-free power target 10 years, to 2040
The state's largest investor-owned utilities — Xcel Energy and Minnesota Power — are pursuing 100% carbon-free energy by 2050, and expressed some concern about the governor's accelerated timeline.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 25, 2021 -
Hydrogen advocates look to capitalize on California's goal to replace diesel for back-up generation
Hydrogen's ability to provide long periods of storage capability could make it an effective option for displacing the current practice of setting up large diesel generators, stakeholders told a California Energy Commission workshop.
By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 25, 2021 -
PJM, utilities 'messing with' state sovereignty is 'biggest threat' to climate goals: Maryland commissioner
State lawmakers say that while leaving the capacity market appears less likely with the new administration, his comments reflect a broader power struggle between the state and its grid operator.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 22, 2021 -
Opinion
FERC needs to know that 'investor confidence' matters
An economy-wide carbon price, paired with truly competitive power markets, is the right way to deliver the necessary combination of cost-effective electric reliability and decarbonization, a Calpine executive writes.
By Steven Schleimer • Jan. 22, 2021 -
Q&A
Honolulu's resilience officer outlines path to carbon neutrality
Chief Resilience Officer Matthew Gonser discussed Honolulu's first Climate Action Plan and the creative way local leaders tackled tough climate conversations with local residents.
By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 22, 2021 -
Interior Department agencies move to streamline offshore wind permitting
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement work to clarify responsibilities for offshore worker health and safety.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 21, 2021 -
Glick named FERC chair, promises 'significant progress' on energy transition
Glick has said publicly he would prioritize transmission reform, reassess capacity markets and continue efforts to lower barriers to clean energy resources in regulated markets.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 21, 2021 -
Biden moves to rejoin Paris climate accord on first day in office, signs order to quickly review Trump regulatory actions
Stakeholders say Biden's day one actions signify that energy and the environment will be a top priority for his team.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 21, 2021 -
CPUC safety certification eases PG&E access to wildfire insurance fund, prompting backlash
Environmental and ratepayer advocacy groups are concerned by problems uncovered in field inspections, as well as PG&E's potential role in sparking the 2020 Zogg Fire.
By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 20, 2021 -
With FERC Order 2222 compliance deadline 6 months away, many questions loom, analysts find
What DER aggregates will look like, how the new parties will interact with existing grid management, and what individual state roles might be are questions that will have to be decided in the near future.
By Leslie Nemo • Jan. 20, 2021 -
Opinion
10 state utility commission chairs to FERC: Let's strengthen federal-state electricity regulatory relationships
"We call on federal and state electricity regulators to explore a forum where pressing policy issues can be discussed in a way that improves coordination and understanding across the jurisdictional lines," the commissioners write.
By Jason Stanek, Philip L. Bartlett II, Joseph L. Fiordaliso, Marissa Paslick Gillet, Willie L. Phillips, Ted J. Thomas, Rebecca Cameron Valcq, Hayley Williamson, Dallas Winslow and Carrie K. Zalewski • Jan. 20, 2021 -
FERC rejects NYISO MOPR expansion, gas infrastructure orders, in Danly's last meeting as chair
"This meeting is not normal," an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a tweet.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 20, 2021 -
DC Circuit rejects Trump EPA ACE rule, opening door for more stringent regulations under Biden
The court found the Clean Power Plan replacement "hinged on a fundamental misconstruction" of the Clean Air Act.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 20, 2021