Regulation & Policy: Page 67
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Opinion
Utilities response to the pandemic — heads - shareholders win; tails - consumers lose
Colorado is a case study where even consumer advocates treat it as a foregone conclusion that consumers will be on the hook for the consequences of an economic downturn, and utilities will be allowed to pocket the savings.
By Frances Koncilja • Aug. 24, 2020 -
Deep Dive
Propelling the transition: Digitization bolsters utility rate cases, boosts drive to future-proof
The continuing automation and digitization of the power sector now enables utilities to better justify their spending plans and improve reliability as they prepare for new resources and electricity uses.
By Guy Burdick • Aug. 21, 2020 -
Explore the Trendlineâž”
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 -
Opinion
States have options in the new MOPR world
The MOPR has unleashed a panoply of ideas on how FERC and the states can use their respective regulatory tools to promote clean energy policies; states should consider all alternatives — not just divorce, the author writes.
By David Boyd • Aug. 21, 2020 -
Andrew. (2011). "Los Angeles" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
California regulators plan post-mortem to examine cause of rolling blackouts
Capacity shortfalls and a heavy reliance on imports played a role, not the state's broader transition to renewable energy, regulators said in a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 21, 2020 -
Following outrage over Hurricane Isaias response, Connecticut bill would put utilities on the hook for outage costs
The bipartisan legislation would alter rules that absolve electric distribution companies from liability for costs incurred by citizens during a power outage.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2020 -
Opinion
A pivotal moment for microgrid policy – What California is getting right and where it's heading from here
The California Public Utilities Commission's microgrid regulatory proceedings could be a bellwether for microgrid development across the country, the author writes.
By Jonathan Kevles • Aug. 20, 2020 -
Final payments delayed in FES bankruptcy case as Justice Department racketeering investigation continues
The ruling — which means the bankruptcy case is technically not over — came after Ohio's Attorney General asked for an indefinite delay of all final payments while the federal probe continues.
By John Funk • Aug. 19, 2020 -
Performance incentive mechanisms can support broad policy goals, RMI finds
The report is an essential read for regulators that are developing performance incentive mechanisms, according to Mike O’Boyle, director of electricity policy at Energy Innovation.
By Guy Burdick • Aug. 18, 2020 -
Opinion
Pipeline infrastructure planning in the era of Black Lives Matter
Scrutiny of the siting of infrastructure projects is already increasing, and attention paid to disproportionate, adverse effects on communities of color likely will intensify, the authors write.
By Emily P. Mallen and J. Simone Jones • Aug. 18, 2020 -
'We're in a bind': California braces for rolling outages as heatwave continues
The California ISO is "scouring every corner of our world to find additional load reductions and generation," President and CEO Steve Berberich said.
By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 17, 2020 -
CPUC considers dismissing executive director amid accusations of whistleblower retaliation
Alice Stebbins' attorney says companies like Pacific Gas & Electric and AT&T have lobbied for her removal. Regulators have linked her potential dismissal to criticisms around some of her hires.
By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 14, 2020 -
Opinion
The business case for sustainable urban transport
With such a strong business case and demonstrable ROI to speak for investments in sustainable transport, governments have a moral obligation to act.
By Meagan Crawford • Aug. 14, 2020 -
After utility filing error, DC stakeholders call for dismissal of Pepco's multi-year rate proposal
The utility says it wants to freeze DC customer rates until 2022. But customer advocates say the plan “has been riddled with errors, missteps, and false information from the start" and could raise rates by up to $147 million.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2020 -
Grid security group calls for declassified threat information, new federal agency focused on resilience
If hackers and foreign adversaries have the capability to bring down the electric grid, why does the federal government keep that information from the utility sector?
By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2020 -
As North Carolina regulators block another pipeline, Duke searches for options to meet gas demand
Following North Carolina's denial on Tuesday of a key water permit for the Mountain Valley Pipeline extension and the cancellation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, the utility is exploring its options.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 13, 2020 -
Opinion
Competition is the best medicine for corruption; 'prescribed' markets could be what the doctor ordered
As stakeholders evaluate the Southeast Energy Exchange Market, we should recognize the elements of market design that truly benefit consumers and encourage innovation and efficiency, the authors write.
By Todd Snitchler and Brian George • Aug. 11, 2020 -
Uncertainty over earnings return for $8B North Carolina coal ash cleanup weighs on Duke
Not allowing Duke to make a return on its coal ash cleanup could strain the utility's balance sheet, CEO Lynn Good said. But analysts say the regulatory environment in North Carolina does not bode well for the utility thus far.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 11, 2020 -
Federal judge orders PG&E to recruit inspectors as CPUC considers future of safety investigation
PG&E has supported closing the safety investigation, but other stakeholders want continued oversight of the utility.
By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 10, 2020 -
FERC staff to Congress: HV transmission essential to reducing carbon, deploying renewables
One of the largest opportunities for high voltage transmission is colocation, though barriers include restrictions set by the Federal Highway Administration and state transportation agencies, analysts say.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 10, 2020 -
ConEd, Eversource blasted by New York, Connecticut officials after 'wholly inadequate' storm response
Hurricane Isaias brought Northeast utilities the largest number of power outages since 2012's Hurricane Sandy.
By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Aug. 10, 2020 -
Opinion
The West needs an RTO
By working toward a western version of an RTO, we can secure low cost energy for utilities and ratepayers and spur billions in new infrastructure investments, among other benefits, the authors write.
By Chris Hansen and Doug Howe • Aug. 7, 2020 -
Senate grills FERC, DOE on power sector cybersecurity
Stakeholders have been very engaged with the Department of Energy since President Donald Trump's May 1 executive order, said a DOE senior advisor.
By Guy Burdick • Aug. 6, 2020 -
After ComEd bribery case, Illinois groups push for changes to clean energy bill
The groups want to undo recent rate increases from Ameren Illinois and ComEd, but the state Chamber of Commerce will not support the update if it still protects Exelon's nuclear plants.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 6, 2020 -
EPA extends utility coal ash compliance deadline 6 months
The rule gives utilities "reasonable deadlines," a NRECA spokesperson said, but environmental groups view it as the latest example of federal policy protecting industry interests.
By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 6, 2020 -
Offshore wind report forecasts $1.7B of revenue from new federal lease auctions by 2022
The offshore wind industry has asked the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to auction more areas for development ahead of the first large-scale project beginning operation.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 5, 2020