Irreconcilable conflict? Lessons from the Central Maine Power transmission corridor debacle

The Central Maine Power corridor debate shows public support must be built for much-needed infrastructure through strategic, long-term transmission and distribution planning, the author writes.

By Rebecca Schultz • Nov. 30, 2021

8 states, DC urge FERC to reject EEI, Eversource call to drop competition for transmission projects

Utility regulators and attorneys general also want the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to require independent monitors to help oversee powerline planning.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 29, 2021

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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

FERC balks at PJM utilities' proposal to profit on network upgrades

The plan by PPL Corp., Exelon and other utilities is part of a broader utility effort to be allowed to invest in more types of transmission projects.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 22, 2021

AEP, Sunflower execs urge FERC to require grid planners to identify renewable energy zones

Proactively planning transmission to serve areas that are designated for deploying clean energy could save money, experts told federal regulators.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 16, 2021

Changing climate and electricity mix renew region-wide power market ambitions for the 'Wild West'

Replacing today's "inflexible" dispatch in 11 Western states with an RTO's optimized operations and avoided capacity costs could deliver up to $1.3 billion in annual benefits, according to a DOE-funded study.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 15, 2021

FERC kicks off 3-year task force examining transmission issues, state-federal divide

States want to work collaboratively to develop new transmission, but some commissioners fear that a federal requirement to consider energy goals "will impair the ability to get transmission built."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2021

FERC approves transmission rules for SEEM market, dismissing open access concerns

The decision could broadly affect rules giving non-utilities access to the transmission system, warned Jeff Dennis, the head of Advanced Energy Economy.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 10, 2021

Northeast utilities are spending billions on resilience, and the investments are paying off

Flood mitigation and storm hardening efforts are being informed by climate models that look decades ahead.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2021

When it comes to transmission, and greater FERC authority in general, be careful what you wish for

It is difficult to imagine that FERC will be excited about the opportunity to mix it up with the congressional delegation of a state it is trying to steamroller, the author writes.

By Michael McKenna • Nov. 10, 2021

Biden signs $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill with funding for EVs, transmission, hydrogen

Biden also created a task force to be run by former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu to help coordinate the spending.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Nov. 16, 2021

Duke Energy eyes offshore wind, advanced nuclear, to meet NC decarbonization goals

Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good told analysts Thursday the company is exploring an array of options to meet North Carolina's new decarbonization goals.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 8, 2021

New England electricity use will grow more than 1% annually amid electrification push, says ISO

The ISO New England grid will be challenged by extreme weather and a changing resource mix, according to a biennial report from the grid operator. Generators say there is increasing urgency to address issues in wholesale markets.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2021

FERC's Christie calls for fixing interconnection 'chaos' as first step in transmission reform

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could tackle sweeping transmission changes in pieces, according to an agency official.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 4, 2021

FERC approves proposal giving New York's utilities right of first refusal for certain transmission upgrades

FERC Commissioners Clements and Christie are concerned the action could increase customer costs.

By Ethan Howland • Updated March 14, 2022

Unlocking the Transition: Biden, Congress aim to fill gap from clean electricity plan's demise

Sen. Joe Manchin's rejection of the plan has led to a scramble for potential alternatives, with a proposal by Reps. Kurt Schrader and David McKinley gaining support from major players in the utility sector.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 4, 2021

Avangrid-PNM merger in doubt after New Mexico hearing examiner warns of reliability, oversight issues

"The potential harms of the proposed transaction outweigh the promised benefits," Hearing Examiner Ashley Schannauer wrote. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission is expected to make a decision by the end of the year.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2021

COP26: Biden apologizes for US climate inaction, issues long-term plan for reaching net zero emissions

The plan asks the electric sector to eliminate emissions by 2035 through transmission upgrades, energy efficiency, storage and non-emitting generation, along with several other strategies.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2021

House passes Build Back Better, tees up Senate vote on funding for climate, clean energy and electric vehicles

The bill's passage comes days after President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that also boosts spending on shifting the U.S. away from fossil fuels.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Nov. 19, 2021

States, public need bigger role in transmission development, FERC's Glick says

The lead regulator outlined his hopes for transmission reform needed to meet clean energy and grid reliability goals ahead of a key FERC-state task force meeting.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 28, 2021

APS vows legal action after Arizona regulators deny cost recovery for $215.5M coal plant upgrades

Regulators approved the utility’s first rate decrease since 1996, while voting against full cost recovery for APS' investment in upgrades to a coal plant being closed earlier than initially planned.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Updated Nov. 3, 2021

Sophisticated hackers could crash the US power grid, but money, not sabotage, is their focus

For now, the capability remains in the hands of nation-state actors. But "sophistication can ultimately be bought," Edison Electric Institute Vice President for Security and Preparedness Scott Aaronson said.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2021

PJM, market monitor urge FERC to reject SOO Green proposal, saying it will upend the capacity market

Letting SOO Green's transmission line skirt PJM's rules would hurt reliability and lower capacity prices, the grid operator and Monitoring Analytics said.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 27, 2021

Maine DEP suspends permit for 1.2 GW Avangrid power line to import power from Hydro-Québec

The decision on Tuesday came as 50 Maine lawmakers urged Massachusetts to explore alternatives for meeting its clean energy goals.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Nov. 24, 2021

NextEra's failure to upgrade Seabrook plant jeopardizes planned $1B transmission line, Avangrid warns

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's decision in the interconnection dispute could affect clean energy ambitions nationwide, Massachusetts officials warned.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 25, 2021

FERC rejects utilities' request to open TVA to competition

But FERC Chairman Glick urged Congress to eliminate the Tennessee Valley Authority's protective fence transmission borders so the utility doesn't have carte blanche to "gold plate" its system.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 22, 2021