Regulation & Policy


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    The image by Peretzp is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    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 Aug. 29, 2024
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    Ron and Patty Thomas via Getty Images
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    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 Aug. 29, 2024
  • Trendline

    Utility Business Model Reform

    Utilities and regulators around the country are exploring new business models, from updated rate structures to performance-based regulation, to meet evolving policy and business priorities.

    By Utility Dive staff
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    ljubaphoto via Getty Images
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    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 Aug. 28, 2024
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    Adeline Kon/Utility Dive
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    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
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    NanoStockk via Getty Images
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    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 Aug. 27, 2024
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    jtstewartphoto via Getty Images
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    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 Aug. 26, 2024
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    Sponsored by Esri

    GIS 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
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    Gary Kavanagh via Getty Images
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    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 Aug. 23, 2024
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Carrots, 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
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    milehightraveler via Getty Images
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    MISO, SPP advance ‘unprecedented’ transmission plan that could support up to 30 GW

    The grid operators are seeking Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approvals that are needed to build $1.7 billion in transmission projects along their northern border.

    By Aug. 22, 2024
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    FernandoAH via Getty Images
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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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    halbergman via Getty Images
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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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    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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    Adam Gray/Getty Images via Getty Images
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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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    Stuby, James. Retrieved from Wikimedia.
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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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    davelogan via Getty Images
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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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    lyash01 via Getty Images
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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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    Courtesy of LS Power
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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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    John Randall Alves via Getty Images
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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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    kflGALORE via Getty Images
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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