Regulation & Policy


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    Deep Dive

    California pioneers new ways to ease interconnection of large DERs

    Limited generation profiles in California will schedule limits to DERs during system constraints. New York, Illinois, Colorado and others are testing more flexible approaches.

    By Aug. 21, 2024
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    FERC rejects Basin Electric’s cryptocurrency mining rate proposal

    Basin Electric failed to show it was fair to treat cryptocurrency loads differently from other similar-sized loads, the agency said in a potentially precedent-setting decision.

    By Aug. 21, 2024
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    Trendline

    The Energy Transition to Renewables

    New policy and business actions are giving a significant boost to renewable energy in the U.S., but opposition is growing and grid interconnection, permitting, labor and other challenges remain.

    By Utility Dive staff
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    Opinion

    Beyond Chevron: The future of FERC’s authority in a post-deference era

    Challenges are anticipated in how FERC justifies its regulatory reach, particularly concerning its role in managing transmission systems and ensuring power grid reliability.

    By Lyle D. Larson • Aug. 21, 2024
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    With 10 new climate resilience centers, DOE aims to translate research into local action

    Researchers will work on actionable science and tools to help local stakeholders combat extreme heat, flooding, drought and more, the U.S. Department of Energy announced last week.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 20, 2024
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    Maryland electric customers face up to 24% bill hikes from PJM capacity auction: report

    Reliability-must-run contracts for two Talen Energy power plants added about $5 billion to PJM’s capacity costs in its last auction, Synapse Energy Economics found.

    By Aug. 15, 2024
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    Opinion

    Why wait? VPPs can help PJM now

    Even though PJM’s capacity prices hit record highs for 2025-26, they could go even higher or remain elevated unless the grid operator’s generation capacity can catch up with its surging demand.

    By Michael D. Smith • Aug. 14, 2024
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    New York ISO reforms interconnection queue, launches cluster study reviews

    The changes, which comply with FERC Order 2023, “deliver greater efficiencies and transparency in our interconnection process,” New York ISO President and CEO Rich Dewey said.

    By Aug. 13, 2024
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    Opinion

    Stay the course on competitive electric markets

    The narrative pushed by certain investor-owned utilities — that the recent PJM capacity auction outcome somehow signals a need for re-regulation — is misleading.

    By Ryan Augsburger • Aug. 9, 2024
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    Biden administration appealing injunction against LNG pause

    A district court judge dismissed 11 of 16 charges against the administration but restricted it from further halting or pausing approvals for new liquefied natural gas export terminals.

    By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 8, 2024
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    LS Power unit to pay $2.7M to settle alleged CAISO market violations

    A REV Renewables battery storage system made improper bids in California’s wholesale power market, according to FERC enforcement office staff.

    By Aug. 7, 2024
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    DC Circuit vacates FERC’s reapproval of 2 LNG export terminals, gas pipeline

    The court decision could delay liquefied natural gas export projects in Texas owned by NextDecade and Glenfarne Energy Transition, research firm ClearView Energy Partners said.

    By Aug. 7, 2024
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    Innovative transmission, energy storage projects in 18 states get $2.2B from DOE

    Companies involved in winning projects include Allete, Duke Energy, Eversource, Grid United, National Grid, Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison.

    By Aug. 6, 2024
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    Opinion

    Senate permitting reform compromise is a win for American energy and American politics

    The legislation would provide a good foundation to undo unreasonable timetables and fragmented planning processes inhibiting investments in clean energy projects.

    By Paolo Mastrangelo • Aug. 5, 2024
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    Window to repeal SEC climate disclosure rule closes

    While Republicans failed to repeal the rule through the Congressional Review Act, it is still being targeted by policy riders in the appropriations process.

    By Lamar Johnson • Aug. 5, 2024
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    FERC seeks more info on Talen-Amazon nuclear interconnection pact

    The federal agency also said it plans to hold a technical conference in the fall on issues related to co-locating large loads at power plants.

    By Aug. 5, 2024
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    US nuclear policy gains boost fuel supplier Cameco as Q2 earnings jump 157%

    The Canadian uranium producer sees long-term order growth as clean energy demand rises and U.S. nuclear operators seek alternatives to Russian supplies

    By Brian Martucci • Aug. 2, 2024
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    USTR to decide soon on proposed tariff hikes for Chinese solar cells, EVs, other items

    The White House’s rationale for increasing tariffs is to make the U.S. more competitive in the clean energy and technology sectors, a major focus during the Biden administration.

    By Philip Neuffer • Aug. 2, 2024
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    PJM capacity auction to lead to double-digit rate hikes for Exelon utilities: CFO

    When asked about possible power plant ownership, Exelon President and CEO Calvin Butler said, “We're working with our [state utility] commissions on all types of scenarios.”

    By Aug. 2, 2024
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    FERC calls SPP Western market proposal ‘deficient,’ requests more info

    Southwest Power Pool is developing a response to questions about its Western day-ahead electricity market, including rules around transmission capacity availability and resource aggregations.

    By Aug. 2, 2024
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    Clean energy tax credits are tough. This new tool could help.

    The free online navigator from Lawyers for Good Government can help cities determine if a project qualifies for Inflation Reduction Act direct-pay incentives.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 1, 2024
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    FirstEnergy seeks alternatives to PJM capacity market to bolster power supply

    “I'd call yesterday's [PJM auction results] the canary in the coal mine, and the canary didn't make it,” Brian Tierney, FirstEnergy president and CEO, said.

    By Aug. 1, 2024
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    DC Circuit vacates FERC approval of $950M Williams pipeline project

    The agency failed to adequately explain why it dismissed studies showing that the Mid-Atlantic project wasn’t needed or why it didn’t assess the significance of its carbon emissions, the court said.

    By July 31, 2024
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    55 miles of high-voltage transmission lines added in 2023 as US buildout slows: report

    Despite the slowdown, utilities spent more than $25 billion on transmission last year, mainly on lower-voltage projects, up from about $20 billion in 2013, according to Grid Strategies.

    By July 30, 2024
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    DC Circuit rejects Entergy challenge to MISO’s capacity rules

    The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission adequately explained why it approved MISO’s plan to shift to a seasonal capacity market, the court said Friday.

    By July 29, 2024
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    Sponsored by ScottMadden

    Creating impactful workforce development programs in the energy industry

    Since 2006, the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) has conducted bi-annual surveys to explore trends in the energy workforce and support companies in the industry with strategic workforce planning initiatives.

    By Matt Shait, Director and Emma Park, Senior Associate, ScottMadden • July 29, 2024