Transmission & Distribution: Page 44
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FERC prohibits pipeline construction, allows land seizures as court weighs 'legal purgatory' of rehearing delays
Federal regulators issued an order that prevents developers from beginning construction while a request for rehearing is pending.
By Catherine Morehouse • June 11, 2020 -
Deep Dive
Trump's grid security order sows confusion in power sector — but don't expect a quick fix
The executive order limits the installation of bulk power system equipment sourced from foreign adversaries, but experts say the vague wording has the industry 'freaked out.'
By Robert Walton • June 10, 2020 -
Trendline
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 -
DC to investigate distributed resource ownership issues as part of grid modernization effort
Regulators also decided to consider performance-based regulation within Potomac Electric Power's ongoing rate case, drawing concerns that regulators are taking a "piecemeal" approach to grid modernization.
By Robert Walton • June 9, 2020 -
FERC plans technical conference to tackle long-term energy sector impacts of COVID-19
The commission will examine operational challenges, electricity demand and transmission planning impacts, and the effects on the sector's access to capital, including credit, liquidity and returns on equity.
By Robert Walton • June 8, 2020 -
Deep Dive
When storms collide: Utilities' new approach to hurricane restoration in the age of COVID-19
The spread of the novel coronavirus has forced Duke, FPL and other utilities to alter their approach to storm restoration, utilizing smaller crews and more remote work while keeping a close eye on worker health.
By Robert Walton • June 4, 2020 -
Deep Dive
The 3 key challenges to expanding the West's real-time energy market to day-ahead trading
Driven by new Western state renewables and zero emissions mandates, the 11 active participants and nine new applicants in the Energy Imbalance Market are pushing to expand it to day-ahead trading.
By Herman K. Trabish • June 3, 2020 -
Opinion
Outdated NEPA needs modernizing. Just ask Warren Buffett
As the U.S. economy prepares to recover from the current crisis, important job and revenue-creating proposals like the 1,000 mile Gateway West transmission project don’t need to languish in a regulatory morass, the author writes.
By Paul Griffin • June 3, 2020 -
As PG&E highlights potential need for fossil fuels to address power shutoffs, groups press for more storage
The California Public Utilities Commission will vote on PG&E's proposal, as well as other measures to accelerate the deployment of microgrids, on June 11.
By Kavya Balaraman • June 2, 2020 -
Column
Taking Charge: Coronavirus has disrupted much of ComEd, but some things don't change, COO Donnelly says
As the utility’s workforce ages, the Exelon subsidiary can’t pause its hiring and worker certifications during the pandemic, says President and Chief Operating Officer Terry Donnelly.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 26, 2020 -
Opinion
Got to have a code: Co-ops, The Wire's Omar Little, and the struggle to exit G&T providers
HBO's The Wire and rural electric cooperatives are rarely mentioned in the same breath, but both prestige dystopian television show characters and cooperatives purport to live by a code, the authors write.
By Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • May 22, 2020 -
Ameren capitalizes as FCC enables new generation of utility communications networks, grid mod
The commission's decision to make six megahertz of low-band spectrum available for the development of wireless technologies also allows electric utilities to earn a rate of return on networks developed in-house, say experts.
By Robert Walton • May 21, 2020 -
Colorado ALJ clears way for Tri-State exit fee determinations
Some Tri-State Generation and Transmission members want to exit its service in search of a cleaner and cheaper generation mix, but new analysis from Rocky Mountain Institute indicates the utility is already transitioning away from coal.
By Robert Walton • May 20, 2020 -
PG&E appeals new probation conditions, asserting they'll 'undermine wildfire safety'
U.S. District Judge William Alsup placed a stay on the conditions that he had imposed on the utility and scheduled a hearing on the issue for May 28.
By Kavya Balaraman • May 18, 2020 -
Texas regulators tamp down authority of proposed cybersecurity monitor
State lawmakers "never suggested there was any intention to create a new investigatory entity with oversight authority over monitored utilities," Oncor Electric told regulators earlier this year.
By Robert Walton • Updated May 19, 2020 -
New England takes key step to 1.2 GW of Quebec hydro as Maine approves transmission line
Massachusetts regulators have approved contracts for the state's utilities to buy 9,554,940 MWh annually from Hydro-Quebec, which the state expects will provide $4 billion in total benefits to ratepayers over 20 years.
By Robert Walton • May 12, 2020 -
Great River Energy to exit coal, close 1.15 GW plant, but North Dakota governor vows rescue
Gov. Doug Burgum, R, called the generation and transmission provider's decision "disappointing" and promised to "find a path forward for Coal Creek Station" to maintain the jobs and baseload power it provides.
By Robert Walton • May 11, 2020 -
Sponsored by Black & Veatch
As electric vehicles gain speed, utilities power up
Utilities are critical stakeholders in the new energy ecosystem. The question remains, will power supplies be ready?
By Maryline Daviaud Lewett • May 8, 2020 -
Trump's security order could have 'chilling effect,' slow smart grid deployment, experts say
An executive order issued May 1 by the White House effectively blocks the power sector from sourcing grid components from China, say trade and cybersecurity attorneys and consultants.
By Robert Walton • May 7, 2020 -
DC Circuit grills NARUC, FERC on whether Order 841 will harm state ability to regulate distribution
The fundamental question for judges is whether FERC's landmark energy storage order will harm states' ability to operate the safety and reliability of their distribution systems.
By Catherine Morehouse • May 6, 2020 -
Dominion steels itself for market volatility, anticipating slow economic reopening in Virginia, South Carolina
The electric utility anticipates a slow recovery from pandemic conditions through the late summer as the states plan to lift restrictions.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 6, 2020 -
United Power sues Tri-State claiming 'civil conspiracy' to block Colorado jurisdiction over exit fees
The complaint alleges Tri-State Generation & Transmission has caused United Power hundreds of millions of dollars in damages in an effort to keep members from leaving its service.
By Robert Walton • May 6, 2020 -
Trump's grid security executive order will create vendor 'black list,' complicate equipment sourcing
President Trump on Friday took steps to block foreign powers from having influence over bulk power system equipment installed on the U.S grid. Experts say the supply chain decision could have wide-ranging impacts.
By Robert Walton • May 4, 2020 -
Judge calls PG&E vegetation work 'sloppy and unreliable,' imposes new conditions on the utility
The utility has told U.S. District Judge William Alsup that its wildfire mitigation work, which includes vegetation management, requires flexibility and "failure to adapt could create safety risks rather than reduce them."
By Kavya Balaraman • April 30, 2020 -
DC Circuit: FERC can't indefinitely delay action on gas pipeline challenges
The nearly unanimous decision boosts pipeline opponents, who argued against a project continuing construction while parties challenging the decision are indefinitely blocked from litigation.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated July 1, 2020 -
Tri-State, Colorado cooperatives in 'race to the courthouse' over exit fee jurisdiction
La Plata Electric Association and United Power have asked Colorado regulators to expedite the process to set exit fees for abandoning their contracts with Tri-State Generation and Transmission, to avoid FERC preemption.
By Robert Walton • April 28, 2020