Reliability concerns drive need for energy market design reforms, but regions diverge in FERC proceeding

Filings from FERC proceedings show a one-size-fits-all reform can't sufficiently address regional market diversity, but federal guidelines can target growing uncertainties and costs from rising variable and distributed resource penetrations.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 11, 2022

MISO finds broad benefits to building $10.4B of transmission projects to support 53 GW of clean energy

The projects are the first part of an expected transmission expansion across the grid operator's footprint.

By Ethan Howland • April 7, 2022

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Grid Resiliency

Utilities and grid operators are facing increasing threats from climate change as well as cyber and physical attacks, and are deploying a variety of responses to meet the rising challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Customers, advocacy groups and elected officials oppose ConEd's proposed double-digit rate increase

The utility says it is investing in clean energy, but advocates for struggling customers say electric and gas rate increases of 11.2% and 18.2%, respectively, are unacceptable.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2022

To enhance reliability, Texas regulators will consider standardizing distribution system interconnections

The Public Utility Commission of Texas standardized transmission interconnection rules more than two decades ago and is now considering a similar move for distribution-level resources.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2022

Connecticut regulators want grid pilots to 'fail fast' in new approach to energy innovation

The program aims to "streamline and reduce barriers" to the deployment of advanced energy technologies on distribution systems run by Eversource Energy and United Illuminating.

By Robert Walton • April 1, 2022

New York adjusts standby, buyback rate methodologies, sweetening value proposition for NYC storage

"We expect that the rates that result from this methodology will have significantly reduced fixed charges that will improve the value for storage," Advanced Energy Economy's Danny Waggoner said.

By Robert Walton • March 24, 2022

FERC lowers PG&E's transmission return on equity to 9.3% in move that could affect national build-out

FERC's action reflects a more consumer-oriented viewpoint at the agency and could influence state ROE decisions during the energy transition, according to experts.

By Ethan Howland • March 23, 2022

Local versus regional transmission planning: A false dichotomy

Both regional and local transmission planning and infrastructure are indispensable to achieving a cleaner and more resilient energy grid, the author writes.

By Larry Gasteiger • March 21, 2022

How grid operators are leaving F-gases, fossils and inefficiency behind

For heavy emitting sectors, such as the electricity industry, pressure is intensifying to find solutions to slash emissions and lower its carbon footprint.  

March 21, 2022

CAISO approves nearly $3B of transmission projects to prepare for California's clean energy goals

The plan represents a massive increase in spending compared with an average of $217 million earmarked for transmission in the last five years.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 18, 2022

Senate bill directs FERC to bolster interregional transmission planning, require GHG reporting

The legislation provides direction to FERC as it considers changing its transmission rules, former FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff said.

By Ethan Howland • March 18, 2022

Puerto Rico emerges from bankruptcy, but its electric utility is still struggling with $9B in debt

Last week Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi canceled a debt restructuring plan for the island's utility that consumer advocates say would have raised power rates for almost five decades.

By Robert Walton • March 16, 2022

A 'conservative' approach to Texas grid operations is raising costs for consumers: ERCOT market monitor

The expanded use of reliability unit commitments to ensure sufficient reserves is distorting wholesale markets in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, observers warn.

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2022

State regulators, utilities back MISO plan to allocate multi-value transmission costs to subregions

Illinois Industrial Energy Consumers and other industrial groups oppose the grid operator's proposal, however.

By Ethan Howland • March 9, 2022

Pruning the thorns in transmission and generator interconnection reform

The clean transition no longer lacks capital, but it suffers from regulation that discourages its efficient use, the authors write.

By Jennifer Chen and Devin Hartman • March 8, 2022

Golf course transmission reroute case could upend decades of precedent, Texas regulators say

As the state's population grows, particularly in rural areas, the Public Utility Commission of Texas faces new challenges in siting transmission projects.

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2022

2021 deals position US to be a global hydrogen leader: BloombergNEF

While records were broken for U.S. clean energy investment last year, the Energy Information Administration says more policy action will be needed for renewable sources to surpass natural gas and petroleum in the U.S. by 2050.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 4, 2022

Electricity prices and customer debt are rising: 'There will be suffering,' warns consumer advocate

In Massachusetts alone, electric and gas customer accounts 90 days or more past due are now in excess of $500 million, according to the National Consumer Law Center.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2022

Ohio ratepayer advocate asks FERC to end RTO return on equity 'adder' for AEP, Duke, FirstEnergy

The request last week comes amid a more pro-consumer orientation at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, an equity analyst says.

By Ethan Howland • March 3, 2022

Texas regulators direct utilities to file emergency operations plans

The new annual requirement, which begins in April, stems from widespread blackouts last year during winter storm Uri, but regulators also say they are "timely" given growing global threats.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 28, 2022

AEP to sell unregulated wind and solar assets to sharpen focus on transmission, regulated renewables

AEP plans to spend $38 billion over five years to foster a "major transformation," according to CEO Nick Akins.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 25, 2022

4 transmission technologies to watch

As Congress, DOE and FERC move to spur the development of new transmission, efforts are underway to improve existing transmission assets through various technologies.

By Gordon Feller • Feb. 23, 2022

Transmission, reliability and gas system decarbonization top of mind for state utility regulators in 2022

Energy Innovation analysts share their top takeaways from last week's NARUC policy summit, along with insights for unlocking access to low-cost renewables, bolstering system reliability, and cutting natural gas emissions.

By Michelle Solomon and Hadley Tallackson • Feb. 23, 2022

The most environmentally-friendly method for refurbishment of hot-dip galvanized structures

Utility owners continue to face increasing pressure to substantially upgrade transmission lines using existing infrastructure.

Feb. 22, 2022

FERC, state task force eye benefits of considering transmission project portfolios, ending 'silos'

The FERC-NARUC task force aims to break down barriers to transmission development.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 17, 2022