Regulation & Policy
-
ehabaref via Getty Images
PJM seeks OK from FERC to end energy efficiency capacity payments
There is no evidence that capacity payments spur energy efficiency investments, according to the PJM Interconnection, which wants the plan to take effect before a December auction.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 9, 2024 -
Joey Ingelhart via Getty Images
The fallout from PJM’s record-setting capacity auction
Utilities, power plant owners, state lawmakers and regulators are responding to PJM's latest capacity auction, with an eye on the ones ahead.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 6, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Getty
TrendlineCybersecurity of the Grid
While cyberthreats to the power sector are expanding, so are the tools to address them. But a key question remains — are companies doing what's needed to reduce the risk?
By Utility Dive staff -
Courtesy of GE Vernova
Uprates, batteries and DR may offer near-term responses to record PJM capacity prices
With tight supply-demand conditions, upcoming capacity auctions could be volatile, according to ESAI Power’s Scott Niemann. “It just adds a lot more uncertainty to the auction outcomes," he said.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 6, 2024 -
Permission granted by PJM Interconnection
PJM considers fast-track review for shovel-ready generating projects
The grid operator expects generators will step in with new supplies in response to high prices in its recent capacity auction.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 5, 2024 -
Mark Alexander via Getty Images
White House announces $7.3B clean energy financing for Dairyland Power, 15 other co-ops
The federal funding will support 10 GW in clean energy projects lowering electricity costs for cooperative utilities in 23 states, the White House said.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 5, 2024 -
Trong Nguyen via Getty Images
Texas denies Aegle Power loan application for 1.3-GW gas plant after NextEra’s unauthorized inclusion
Lawmakers said they want to know how the Public Utility Commission of Texas and Deloitte “advanced a problematic and unqualified application by an energy executive who was publicly convicted of fraud.”
By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2024 -
Haizhan Zheng via Getty Images
30 neighborhood decarbonization pilots allowed under bill passed in California
If the governor signs it, the legislation will let natural gas utilities planning to replace old gas pipelines decarbonize pilot areas instead, potentially via electrification or installing thermal energy networks.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 4, 2024 -
Courtesy of Port Arthur LNG
OpinionLNG exports make both economic and environmental sense
Exports are not reducing domestic supply and squeezing American ratepayers or power plant operators; exports come from added production and have only a small impact on price.
By Kyle Isakower • Sept. 4, 2024 -
"Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Plant". Retrieved from Wikipedia.
Reregulation? How utilities and states are responding to PJM’s record capacity prices
“Houston, we have a problem,” American Municipal Power’s Steve Lieberman said. “If we don’t see new capacity in the [2027/28] auction, we’re really running out of time.”
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 4, 2024 -
dszc via Getty Images
Sierra Club sues Arizona regulators over UNS Electric 200-MW gas expansion
A June decision “overturned the existing environmental review process ... setting a dangerous precedent,” said Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Director Sandy Bahr.
By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2024 -
Chuck Schug Photography via Getty Images
OpinionGenerator interconnection hurdles throttle economic development. An entry fee model can help.
The current interconnection process puts project developers in the untenable position of sinking years of effort and millions of dollars into projects with virtually no insight into the ultimate cost or timeline to connect to the grid.
By Ted Thomas • Sept. 3, 2024 -
Joesboy via Getty Images
Ratepayer advocates urge PJM to include RMR power plants in capacity auctions
PJM should hold a stakeholder process to include reliability-must-run plants and, if needed, delay the next auction, set to take place in December, to avoid “unjust and unreasonable” prices, they said.
By Ethan Howland • Sept. 3, 2024 -
Nitat Termmee via Getty Images
Sponsored by West Monroe PartnersHow utilities can ensure compliance for IIJA Department of Energy GRIP grants
Existing processes will need to change to meet DOE’s requirements for reporting compliance
By Calvin Tong, Senior Manager, Energy & Utilities, West Monroe • Sept. 3, 2024 -
FernandoAH via Getty Images
OpinionNew York cannot afford nuclear power and must not slow down its Climate Act
Claims that small modular reactors will provide cheaper, safer and faster nuclear energy remain unproven, echoing the same empty promises that led to past failures.
By Raya Salter • Aug. 30, 2024 -
AscentXmedia via Getty Images
FERC’s Christie offers ‘compromise’ on transmission financial incentives
Instead of opposing incentives outright, FERC Commissioner Mark Christie said they should be awarded for state-approved projects.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 30, 2024 -
halbergman via Getty Images
BLM proposes opening 31M acres of public land to solar development
The updated Western Solar Plan proposal expands potential development by 9 million acres beyond the agency's original proposal in response to industry feedback and should speed solar permitting, the Biden administration said.
By Emma Penrod • Aug. 30, 2024 -
The image by Peretzp is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
PJM capacity prices could jump 157% in next auction: Morgan Stanley
While prices could hit a $695/MW-day cap, relatively small changes in new supply in the December auction could produce large swings in the outcome, analysts said.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 29, 2024 -
Ron and Patty Thomas via Getty Images
Pennsylvania state senator to propose loan fund to spur new power plants
The Pennsylvania Baseload Energy Development Fund would be modeled after a $5 billion loan fund in Texas.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 29, 2024 -
ljubaphoto via Getty Images
US clean energy jobs grew 4.2% in 2023: DOE
The U.S. added clean energy jobs at more than twice the rate of the broader economy, according to the Department of Energy.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2024 -
Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
California targets up to 2 GW of long-duration storage as part of 10.6 GW clean energy procurement
The procurement also includes up to 1 GW of geothermal energy that can be commissioned between 2031 and 2037 and 7.6 GW of floating offshore wind that can be commissioned between 2035 and 2037.
By Brian Martucci • Aug. 27, 2024 -
NanoStockk via Getty Images
Clean energy groups push for more interconnection reforms ahead of FERC workshop
They called for fast-track processes that would give construction-ready projects access to existing and planned interconnection capacity, among other things.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 27, 2024 -
jtstewartphoto via Getty Images
Southwest Power Pool seeks FERC OK to delay 2024 interconnection queue process
The delay would give SPP time to finish studying and restudying interconnection clusters going back to 2018, the grid operator told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 26, 2024 -
Permission granted by Esri
Sponsored by EsriGIS shapes modern network management
Explore how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have evolved to meet utilities' network management needs.
By Bill Meehan, Esri • Aug. 26, 2024 -
Gary Kavanagh via Getty Images
CAISO interconnection reform plan draws support from SoCal Ed, PG&E, PUC
However, renewable energy developers and trade groups urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject provisions they say would favor utility-backed projects.
By Ethan Howland • Aug. 23, 2024 -
Sean Gallup via Getty Images
Deep DiveCarrots, sticks or both: State efforts to combat anti-renewables NIMBYs
In pursuit of zero-emissions electricity goals and tax windfalls from utility-scale renewables, states are taking a range of approaches to disarm opponents.
By Brian Martucci • Aug. 22, 2024
