Regulation & Policy: Page 63
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Deep Dive
5 ballot initiatives poised to propel states, cities to 100% clean energy
At the local level, as in previous elections, energy is less prone to partisan politics in 2020.
By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 5, 2020 -
Utility commission incumbents largely prevailed on election night, but the South could see upsets
Louisiana commission seat is headed to a runoff while New Mexico votes to end Public Regulation Commission elections, reorganizing the commission as a three-member, governor-appointed body.
By Emma Penrod • Nov. 5, 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 -
Are renewable energy targets useful? Analysts dispute new study questioning their value
A new study says renewable energy targets could exacerbate sustainability challenges, though one expert counters "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."
By Tom Gresham • Nov. 5, 2020 -
Photography by Gage Skidmore / Photo Illustration by Kendall Davis / Industry Dive
Biden, Trump each have path to presidency, but likely Republican Senate narrows clean energy path
Republicans are likely to retain the Senate, limiting the impact a Biden presidency could have on emissions and clean energy. Biden has pledged to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, which the U.S. officially exited Wednesday.
By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 4, 2020 -
Opinion
Election 2020: It's time to consider an electricity customer Bill of Rights
The starting place for ensuring responsible and effective rapid decarbonization is to allow for competition and ensure retail customers are adequately protected from potential abuses that could otherwise emerge, the author writes.
By Todd Glass • Nov. 3, 2020 -
Facing credit downgrades after firing CEO, FirstEnergy board launches further internal investigation
The company received credit downgrades recently and is the subject of a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, its new management team told analysts Monday.
By John Funk • Updated Nov. 5, 2020 -
California federal legislators press SoCalGas on reported efforts to 'undermine' California's climate goals
California regulators on Thursday ordered SoCalGas to turn over information to the agency's Public Advocates Office after a prolonged conflict over data requests.
By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Dec. 18, 2020 -
Andrea Hanks. (2020). "President Trump Nominates Judge Amy Coney Barrett for Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court" [Photograph]. Retrieved from The White House.Opinion
Justice Barrett's confirmation and how it may affect the energy industry
The newest Supreme Court justice could eventually hear a challenge to FERC's Order 841, which has been winding its way through the courts, on the grounds that it intrudes on matters left to the states under the Federal Power Act.
By Seth Hilton and Jason Johns • Nov. 2, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Danielle Ternes/Utility Dive; photograph by Svanblar and Luka Banda via Getty Images
Election 2020: What's at stake for Congress, FERC, DOE and the states
The transformation of the U.S. power sector will continue after the 2020 election is over, though the outcomes will likely impact the speed of change.
Nov. 2, 2020 -
FirstEnergy fires CEO, 2 other top executives in wake of $61M political bribery scandal
Thursday's dismissals came on the same day as guilty pleas from two of four lobbyists charged in a federal racketeering probe related to Ohio's nuclear and coal plant subsidy bill.
By John Funk • Oct. 30, 2020 -
Opinion
With FERC's recent big changes to energy and capacity markets, theories don't match reality
FERC’s efforts to root out “price suppression” is unnecessary and ultimately detrimental to promoting a resource mix that meets reliability and policy objectives, the author writes.
By Elise Caplan • Oct. 30, 2020 -
Deep Dive
Ballot billions: Behind the efforts to fund and finance climate action
In a year that virtually depleted municipal budgets, ballot-derived tax and funding measures can be crucial to support city-level climate action. Outside of these measures, how else can cities secure cash?
By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Oct. 30, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Danielle Ternes/Utility Dive; photograph by Svanblar and Luka Banda via Getty ImagesDeep Dive
Election 2020: Xcel Energy, municipalization advocates face off in Boulder
On Nov. 3, voters in the Colorado city must choose whether to trust Xcel’s commitments or the promise of a municipal utility.
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 30, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Danielle Ternes/Utility Dive; photograph by Svanblar and Luka Banda via Getty ImagesDeep Dive
Election 2020: States accelerated renewables under Trump. Could a Biden win slow that?
The bipartisan push in favor of more renewable energy deployment at the state level could evaporate under a Biden administration that may lean toward federal mandates, experts say.
By Emma Penrod • Oct. 29, 2020 -
Green stimulus could create $280B in economic benefits: C40
The C40 Global Mayors Recovery Task Force said investing relief money in solutions to fight climate change could prevent 270,000 premature deaths globally and create over 6 million jobs in the U.S. alone.
By Chris Teale • Oct. 28, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Danielle Ternes/Utility Dive; photograph by Svanblar and Luka Banda via Getty ImagesDeep Dive
Election 2020: For DOE, staffing, renewables spending, transparency at stake Nov. 3, analysts say
A Biden administration could refocus the U.S. Department of Energy on clean energy, transparency and environmental justice. Under Trump, expect more of the same push for deregulation.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2020 -
National Grid to develop 600 MW offshore wind RFP for Rhode Island
The state had 933 MW of wind and solar as of Q2 2020 as it aims to meet 100% of electricity demand with renewables by 2030.
By Larry Pearl • Oct. 28, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Danielle Ternes/Utility Dive; photograph by Svanblar and Luka Banda via Getty ImagesDeep Dive
Election 2020: Trump's FERC may need to shift course on clean energy, though Biden's road will not be easy
No matter what happens Nov. 3, the agency will have no choice but to address the industry's transition, even if it means backing away from some of its more controversial policies under the Trump administration, analysts say.
By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 27, 2020 -
Colorado PUC dismisses exit fee complaints against Tri-State, says FERC and district courts have jurisdiction
Colorado utility commissioners declined to consider Tri-State exit fee disputes, concluding the matter falls under the jurisdiction of FERC and of Colorado district courts.
By Emma Penrod • Oct. 26, 2020 -
Photo illustration by Danielle Ternes/Utility Dive; photograph by Svanblar and Luka Banda via Getty ImagesDeep Dive
Election 2020: Climate policy faces a tough road through Congress regardless of electoral outcomes
A Democratic Senate will attempt to pass Joe Biden's clean energy standard in the face of an expected Republican filibuster, while bipartisan support exists for more R&D spending on carbon-cutting technologies.
By Matthew Bandyk • Oct. 26, 2020 -
Deep Dive
As conflict rises over utility DER ownership, a Duke Florida program could offer a way forward
Regulators must decide how to separate regulated and private markets as both see ownership of rooftop and community solar.
By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2020 -
FERC landmark DER rule leaves open questions on grid operator implementation
A key question is whether grid operators and utilities try to open up market participation to DERs as much as possible, or whether they just do the bare minimum, a storage executive said.
By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 22, 2020 -
EPA expands coal ash storage options for utilities in move NGOs say violates DC Circuit ruling
The power industry says the rule is based on a record EPA has built since 2015, and will apply to only a narrow subset of facilities.
By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 20, 2020 -
New England states call for changes to wholesale markets, transmission planning and grid governance
The current system "has actively hindered our efforts to decarbonize the grid," according to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2020 -
FERC PJM order muddies state subsidy definition under MOPR, potentially hinders renewables, Glick says
Commissioner Richard Glick said the order is further evidence that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is overreaching when it comes to state clean energy policies.
By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020