Regulation & Policy: Page 60
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Retrieved from Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
FERC's Clements: 'Grave threat' of climate change will 'underlie my approach as a commissioner'
Regulators are obligated to ensure just and reasonable rates and avoid unfair discrimination, but the factors that influence those decisions "have become significantly more numerous and complex" over the past few decades, she said.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 18, 2020 -
The image by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Biden taps North Carolina DEQ Secretary Regan for EPA
Under Regan's watch at the DEQ, Duke Energy agreed to the largest coal ash cleanup in U.S. history.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 18, 2020 -
Explore the Trendline➔
adamkaz via Getty ImagesTrendlineThe 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
APS's plan for closing coal plants could be a gamechanger, analysts say, but who will pay?
The company's current rate case includes $144.45 million for communities impacted by its proposed coal closures, the biggest-ever such U.S. utility commitment, but customers would pay over 80% of the plan.
By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 18, 2020 -
Fed joins global climate-focused network of central banks
Fed membership in the Network for Greening the Financial System was one of 53 actions a CFTC panel suggested this year to manage climate-related risk and signals the central bank is taking the fight more seriously.
By Dan Ennis • Dec. 17, 2020 -
Pacific Northwest poised to test 100% renewables as utilities weigh gas vs. storage
The Northwest has perhaps the best starting point of any region in the country to go to 100% renewable energy, but a delicate balance between the costs of storage and the costs of natural gas may determine the feasibility of that goal.
By Matthew Bandyk • Dec. 17, 2020 -
What Pete Buttigieg would bring to the Transportation Department
A $1 trillion infrastructure plan, including billions in funding for EV charging, that Buttigieg unveiled in January as part of his presidential campaign hints at what could be the agency's future priorities.
By S.L. Fuller • Dec. 16, 2020 -
Retrieved from Gage Skidmore/Flickr.
Clean energy groups cheer reports Biden will tap former Michigan Gov. Granholm to lead DOE
Granholm is known for staunchly supporting the automotive industry — which observers say could be an asset as the new administration attempts to boost the adoption of electric vehicles.
By Robert Walton • Updated Dec. 18, 2020 -
Opinion
What a corporate tax rate increase could mean for utility ratemaking
Utility executives and regulators need to use this time of uncertainty to evaluate the impact of potential tax rate changes, especially considering COVID-19 financial pressures, disconnect moratoriums, and collectibility risks, the authors write.
By Kimberly Johnston and Michael J. Reno • Dec. 16, 2020 -
Sitar, Robert. [Photograph]. Retrieved from U.S. National Archives.
Virginia draws criticism for approving new natural gas power plant near predominantly Black community
The plant at Norfolk Naval Shipyard would provide critical reliability and steam, replacing waste-burning generation, the Navy says. But community critics say it will harm a community already disproportionately subjected to pollution.
By Emma Penrod • Dec. 15, 2020 -
Q&A
Boston Mayor Walsh shares a vision of national climate action
Marty Walsh spoke with Smart Cities Dive about balancing his new role as Climate Mayors chair while addressing climate mitigation needs in Boston.
By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 15, 2020 -
Duke won't foot its up to $9B coal ash cleanup bill, but shareholders could still absorb half, court rules
The court found the commission erred in its rejection of an "equitable sharing" proposal that would split the cost of cleanup between ratepayers and shareholders — and not allow the utility to profit from it.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 15, 2020 -
California ratepayer advocate recommends $124M SoCalGas fine for bucking CPUC directive on energy efficiency lobbying
According to the group, Southern California Gas violated a 2018 decision from regulators that barred the utility from advocating for building codes and appliance standards.
By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 15, 2020 -
Duke, Dominion, Southern file SEEM proposal with state regulators, plan to file with FERC by end of year
The energy exchange proposal comes in the midst of proposals in North and South Carolina to open up the region to more competition.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 11, 2020 -
"Charting California's Course on the Environment: From Brown to Newsom and Beyond" by Emmett Institute is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Newsom taps CPUC's Liane Randolph to lead California Air Resources Board
Randolph's experience with the CPUC's integrated resource planning process will be a benefit in her new role, stakeholders say.
By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 11, 2020 -
Maryland, Illinois may pursue legislative MOPR exit, despite new FERC nearing
"We wish that a new FERC could just simply wave its wand and get rid of the MOPR," said Illinois' consumer advocate. But "we can't wait for a new FERC to solve the mess that the previous FERC created."
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 11, 2020 -
Green buildings 'unheralded hero' in emissions fight, experts say
President-elect Joe Biden's plan to boost energy efficiency in the sector promises to create up to 1 million jobs and mitigate the effects of climate change, elected officials said during a U.S. Green Building Council webinar.
By Chris Teale • Dec. 10, 2020 -
To meet Biden 2035 emissions target, utilities will need to pick up the pace, report finds
While many U.S. utilities have set corporate emissions goals, most self-imposed deadlines are far beyond the Biden administration's goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2035, according to the Energy and Policy Institute.
By Emma Penrod • Dec. 10, 2020 -
CAISO adopts summer reliability measures to avoid repeat of 2020 blackouts
The market and operational steps, if approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, will remain in effect until May 31, 2022.
By Kavya Balaraman • Updated April 23, 2021 -
In this Congress or the next, experts see opportunity to boost electric investment and secure the grid
The tight balance of power in both the House and Senate means any action must be bipartisan. Questions about spending will need to be addressed.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2020 -
Retrieved from PXHere.Opinion
Utility regulators wake up to the long-term risks of gas
Regulators are open to changing the status quo and pushing for building electrification, writes Rocky Mountain Institute Principal Mike Henchen.
By Mike Henchen • Dec. 9, 2020 -
Senate works to pass comprehensive energy bill in 2020 as renewables sector vies for more aid
If approved, the bill would likely be a slimmed down version of what Democrats and the clean energy industry want to see in comprehensive energy legislation, according to Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 9, 2020 -
California sketches plan to wean off fossil fuels during wildfire-related power outages
The approach is part of a proposed decision that would implement new rates, rules and tariffs for microgrids.
By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 9, 2020 -
Dive Awards
The Utility Dive Awards for 2020
The winners exemplified leadership in a time of crisis by working toward economic means of transitioning the power sector.
By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020 -
Dive Awards
Regulator of the Year: Neil Chatterjee, FERC
It's hard to imagine an agency that has had more effect on the power sector this year than the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and it's impossible to divorce that impact from its now-former chairman: Neil Chatterjee.
By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020 -
Opinion
Out with the old, in with the new: Why regionalized grid coordination is inevitable
Clearly, the traditional energy regulatory structures are an outdated solution to a modern problem, write Colorado State Senator Chris Hansen and former New Mexico utility commissioner Doug Howe.
By Chris Hansen and Doug Howe • Dec. 8, 2020