Transmission & Distribution: Page 57
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California PUC proposes guidelines for 'last resort' de-energizations as wildfire season looms
Utilities may need to de-energize power lines during high winds, but the California Public Utilities Commission's proposal makes clear it can only do that "as a measure of last resort."
By Robert Walton • April 30, 2019 -
PG&E revises wildfire mitigation plan to remove hard inspection and improvement deadlines
The utility told regulators it wants to "revise certain targets" because it would likely miss some deadlines due to a range of factors, from the federal government shutdown to weather and access challenges.
By Robert Walton • April 29, 2019 -
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 -
California adopts 2030 Preferred System Portfolio with 12 GW new wind, solar, storage, geothermal
Regulators voted unanimously on an "optimal 2030 portfolio" of supply- and demand-side resources to achieve climate goals, citing concerns about community choice aggregator planning.
By Robert Walton • April 29, 2019 -
Florida utilities reach storm cost settlement as New York regulators threaten fines
Settlements with Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric Co. would use tax savings to help the utilities cover the costs of Hurricane Irma in 2017.
By Robert Walton • April 25, 2019 -
Con Edison announces deal to end Westchester moratorium on gas hookups
The agreement for an extra 110,000 dekatherms of natural gas capacity would let the utility create new connections by November 2023 in a county near New York City, where demand for heating has grown with new construction.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 25, 2019 -
PG&E asks for higher ROE to fund wildfire safety upgrades
The utility says a higher return on equity is essential to attract investors, but its proposal would raise average residential electric rates by 7%.
By Robert Walton • April 23, 2019 -
FERC approves LNG terminals as anti-fossil protestors scale headquarters
Both sides say climate change is a 'crisis' — but have divergent strategies to address it.
By Gavin Bade • April 18, 2019 -
NYISO approves 'historic' transmission to boost transfer capability to 900 MW
Clean energy advocates celebrated the projects, which they say will help the state reach its ultimate goal of 100% carbon-free generation by 2040.
By Robert Walton • April 17, 2019 -
PG&E shares jump as California report advocates wildfire liability changes
Strict fire liability rules are not working and "under the status quo, all parties lose," according to a new report from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
By Robert Walton • April 15, 2019 -
Deep Dive
Renewable procurement gaps pose risk for California's climate goals, but what solution is best?
A new bill may capture broad agreement about the need for a central backstop procurement entity, but doubts about it remain.
By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2019 -
Southern California Edison requests higher ROE, citing wildfire risks
The utility told federal regulators the share price of its parent company has "dropped dramatically since 2017 as a result of this wildfire risk."
By Robert Walton • April 12, 2019 -
Montana approves bill to allow utility power sales to EV charging stations
The bill headed to Gov. Steve Bullock also determines the EV charging companies are not public utilities and directs regulators to set rates for EV charging.
By Robert Walton • April 11, 2019 -
Dominion gas explosion kills 1, injures 17 in North Carolina
A rupture to a two-inch gas line caused a leak that led to the explosion late Wednesday morning.
By Catherine Morehouse • April 11, 2019 -
Minnesota advances on performance-based rates, asks what metrics to consider
State regulators opened a public comment period last week on what data points must be measured in order to evaluate utility performance — the first step in linking those outcomes to utility rates.
By Robert Walton • April 9, 2019 -
Opinion
Grid modernization is the best new deal
A Grid Modernization Act could accomplish many of the Green New Deal's goals by improving public health, creating jobs, spurring innovation, strengthening national security and making our communities more resilient.
By Hon. Dennis McGinn and Roger Sorkin • April 9, 2019 -
ISO-NE considers new seasonal forward market to improve energy security
The grid operator published a white paper that questions whether wholesale markets provide sufficient return for resource owners.
By Robert Walton • April 8, 2019 -
Southwest Power Pool considers launching alternative to CAISO energy imbalance market
The grid operator issued a call on Thursday for utilities and other customers to help design and implement a new real-time market for the Western Interconnection.
By Robert Walton • April 5, 2019 -
Deep Dive
Floating solar offers unique bargains — U.S. utilities are missing out
Siting photovoltaics on water is proving reliable worldwide, and the PVs could meet almost 10% of U.S. electricity needs at market-competitive costs, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
By Herman K. Trabish • April 4, 2019 -
PG&E taps new CEO, 10 directors to lead utility through bankruptcy
Former TVA chief Bill Johnson will take over leadership and seven board members will step down as the embattled utility seeks new direction following a bankruptcy filing related to California's deadly wildfires.
By Robert Walton • April 4, 2019 -
Moody's: Ire toward PG&E means change to California fire liability rules unlikely
The state is unlikely to change its inverse condemnation rules, which can make utilities accountable for wildfire damage even if they're not negligent, but a state catastrophe fund is the most likely reform, the ratings agency said.
By Robert Walton • April 4, 2019 -
Chugach Electric files for state approval of $1B Alaska muni purchase
It has been a year since voters in Anchorage, Alaska, authorized the sale of the city's municipal utility. Now, state regulators must approve the deal.
By Robert Walton • April 4, 2019 -
Safety report: PG&E still takes 'reactive' approach to wildfire risks
A federal judge this week also restricted the bankrupt utility from paying dividends as reports of a new CEO and board of directors swirl.
By Robert Walton • April 3, 2019 -
Controversial $1B Canada-US transmission line gets Maine PUC approval
The key certificate, unanimously granted by the state's three commissioners, advances the 145-mile transmission corridor that would deliver hydropower from Quebec to Massachusetts.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 11, 2019 -
Exclusive: PG&E's future rests on board picks, CPUC president says
California regulators could reorganize the company or revoke its license to operate if they do not like new selections for its board of directors, California Public Utilities Commission President Michael Picker said in a wide-ranging interview.
By Gavin Bade • March 29, 2019 -
Hawaii regulators approve HECO's $86M grid mod plan, 6 solar + storage projects under $0.10/kWh
Hawaiian Electric said the decisions, including the "largest and lowest-cost portfolio" of renewables assembled at one time in a state, will enable "foundational" changes on the electric grids of five islands.
By Robert Walton • March 29, 2019