Regulation & Policy: Page 64
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FERC confirms carbon pricing jurisdiction in wholesale markets, Chatterjee 'encourages' proposals
"This commission encourages efforts to develop wholesale market rules that incorporate a state-determined carbon price in [wholesale] markets," Chairman Neil Chatterjee said. Commissioner James Danly called it "unnecessary."
By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020 -
Gas generators ask FERC to apply PJM MOPR logic to NYISO
Two gas generators claim current market rules do not address price suppression caused by state subsidies, and therefore disadvantage resources not receiving those payments.
By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 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 -
Vineyard Wind Project Permitting
BOEM needs staffing help with offshore wind permitting regardless of election results, experts say
If regulators stagger construction permits for the bottlenecked offshore wind projects, stakeholders worry it will hurt developers and communities that have been waiting for the influx of activity.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 15, 2020 -
Wyoming PSC: Socioeconomic impact of coal retirements not within the purview of an IRP
Deliberations at the Wyoming PSC conclude that socioeconomic impacts of coal plant retirements do not fall within the scope of an IRP, but commissioners raise questions about other criteria including rates and environmental concerns.
By Emma Penrod • Oct. 13, 2020 -
PG&E probation judge demands details after utility equipment seized in wildfire investigation
The Zogg Fire began in late September and has since caused four fatalities and burned more than 56,000 acres.
By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 13, 2020 -
FERC's Glick blasts fellow commissioners for intruding on New York's resource mix decisions
FERC voted 2-1 last week to remove an offer exemption for some demand response resources in the New York ISO capacity market, which some experts say will reduce the competitiveness of those resources.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2020 -
Illinois Commerce Commission launches new probe to resolve questions about Ameren's net metering claims
Ameren announced its intention to switch from full retail net metering for future residential solar customers due to market saturation, and solar installers claim the plan is worse for business than the pandemic shutdown.
By John Funk • Oct. 9, 2020 -
Solar groups challenge FERC Broadview order reversing 40 years of PURPA precedent
Just six weeks before the order, FERC issued a final PURPA rule that doesn't address the decades-long precedent on qualifying facilities, making the commission guilty of an "abuse of discretion," solar advocates said.
By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 8, 2020 -
Cadbytimm. (2017). "Admiring SF" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
Heat storm and insufficient planning caused August rolling blackouts, California regulators say
"[I]t is our responsibility and intent to plan for such events, which are becoming increasingly common in a world rapidly being impacted by climate change," regulators said in their preliminary analysis.
By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 8, 2020 -
EIA raises forecast for coal generation bump in 2021, and more carbon emissions
Coal-generated electricity is on a long-term decline in the U.S., but the Energy Information Administration expects a 4% bump in its share of the nation's generation in the next year.
By Larry Pearl • Oct. 7, 2020 -
Ameren rejects Illinois regulators' request, ends retail net metering for new residential solar customers
Ameren said the Illinois Commerce Commission's Oct. 1 "request" that it continue full net metering would lead the utility to violate its approved tariff.
By John Funk • Oct. 6, 2020 -
FERC carbon pricing conference shatters attendance records, but where were the state voices?
No state within a regulated market was represented. "I truly believe that the leadership at FERC has been dysfunctional for 3.5 years," said New Jersey's head regulator, adding it's "not friendly" to states.
By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 5, 2020 -
Opinion
PBR for utilities: Is it better than the beer?
A poorly designed and executed performance-based regulation mechanism can harm utility customers when the intent is to benefit them, the author writes.
By Kenneth W. Costello • Oct. 5, 2020 -
Biden could pursue 'easy' climate solutions, elements of the Green New Deal if elected: experts
Renewable energy, storage and transmission projects will continue to face challenges even in "blue" states supportive of such development, according to speakers at the Society of Environmental Journalists' annual conference.
By Gloria Gonzalez • Oct. 2, 2020 -
Colorado roadmap targets 80% GHG reduction from power sector by 2030, but some see greater possibilities
The state's proposed 20-year plan for carbon reduction sets the state's renewable, electric industries up for rapid growth, but a new study suggests there could be room for greater gains.
By Emma Penrod • Oct. 2, 2020 -
Illinois regulators move to preserve retail net metering rate, order audit of Ameren's bid to end it
Ameren Illinois says customer solar generation is about to reach 5% of peak demand on its system, allowing it to end retail net metering under state law.
By John Funk • Updated Oct. 2, 2020 -
Virginia regulatory staff project $800 annual customer bill increase for Dominion to meet clean energy law
Plans proposed by the utility, ranging from around $44 billion to $84.3 billion, did not include a least-cost compliance option, according to staffers.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 1, 2020 -
FERC has legal authority to implement a carbon price, experts tell commissioners
Panelists did not reach consensus on whether a price could be unilaterally implemented during FERC's first-ever carbon pricing technical conference.
By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 1, 2020 -
Whitehouse sees 'pent-up pressure' in Congress for comprehensive climate bill
But if Democrats do not gain a majority in the Senate, "that's a more difficult path," said Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 29, 2020 -
Ameren pledges net zero carbon by 2050, 3.1 GW new renewables by 2030, keeping coal into 2040s
Pending negotiations over securitization legislation in Missouri could encourage the utility to retire its coal assets faster, according to stakeholders.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 29, 2020 -
NYISO highlights case for carbon pricing days before highly-anticipated FERC conference
The grid operator hopes the Sept. 30 conference will convince federal regulators that the mechanism is the most efficient way for regulated markets to support state decarbonization goals.
By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 29, 2020 -
Utility carbon reduction actions lag net zero targets, but there's time to catch up, Deloitte finds
One industry observer said current utility resource plans rely on "magical thinking" with their focus on unproven technologies and continued use of gas, but companies have plenty of time to close the gap, according to Deloitte.
By Thomas Gresham • Sept. 28, 2020 -
Deep Dive
Demand response failed California 20 years ago; the state's recent outages may have redeemed it
The West's recent heatwaves put California power users in the dark but showed how flexible demand response, including distributed storage, can keep the lights on.
By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2020 -
Opinion
P3s hold the key to a clean energy future post-COVID
Making progress on climate is still within our grasp, but the critical first step is to recognize the benefits of collaboration, and then to reach across the aisle.
By Bill Prindle • Sept. 25, 2020 -
Ohio attorney general sues to block $1.3B bailout of former FirstEnergy nuclear plants
The move comes as Ohio lawmakers hold hearings on competing bills to replace HB 6 with a new bailout bill, or simply repeal it.
By John Funk • Sept. 25, 2020