Outlook 2019: Big year for power, natural gas players under FERC jurisdiction
The U.S. power and natural gas sectors could face a tumultuous 2019 as a new lineup at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission works through a wide-ranging, politically charged agenda that involves competitive wholesale power markets, taxes, transportation rates and infrastructure permitting.
Deloitte: US renewables' value to grow in 2019 with policy, investor support
After a strong 2018, the U.S. renewable energy sector is expected to see its value to the grid, companies and customers grow in 2019, according to a recent outlook from consulting firm Deloitte.
Climate initiatives, US court battles loom large heading into 2019
Action on pending legal battles and federal rules, pressure from investors and efforts by states to curb transportation emissions will help determine whether the U.S. makes headway in addressing climate change in 2019.
Power industry seeks clarity on FERC proposal to limit asset merger reviews
Industry groups largely backed a proposed rule to limit which U.S. power asset mergers and acquisitions the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must approve but suggested changes to the proposal, including those clarifying the types of transactions the commission must review.
Market monitor challenges PJM's failure to levy fuel cost policy penalty
Asserting that the case "presents an important precedent for the role of fuel cost policies" in guarding against market power abuse, the PJM Interconnection's independent market monitor asked federal regulators to find that an unidentified seller violated such a policy and therefore should have been assessed a penalty.
MISO eyes more participation, testing of resources needed during emergencies
Despite discord among some stakeholders, the Midcontinent ISO moved forward with its effort to address the region's changing resource availability, submitting two tariff filings with FERC and promising a third in January 2019. The filings aim to free up 5,000 MW to 10,000 MW of capacity before the spring outage season.
NARUC president: No single direction for states on grid evolution
S&P Global Market Intelligence spoke with Nick Wagner, a member of the Iowa Utilities Board and president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, about the crucial issues facing state utility regulators today, what role NARUC will play in reviewing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new coal plant rule and the association's new partnership with the National Association of State Energy Officials.
PG&E could face serious charges for wildfires, Calif. prosecutor says
PG&E Corp. subsidiary Pacific Gas and Electric Co. could face criminal charges ranging from failure to clear vegetation to murder if the utility is found to have caused any recent California wildfires through reckless or negligent action, the state's top prosecutor told a judge.
US EPA proposes to revoke legal basis for Obama-era rule targeting coal plants
In a move with major implications for future air quality regulations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a proposal to rescind the legal justification for an Obama-era rule that has dramatically reduced emissions of mercury and other toxic pollutants from existing coal- and oil-fired power plants.
US appeals court remands dispute over New England plant retirement rules to FERC
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must clarify whether power suppliers' bids for retiring units can be entered into New England's forward capacity auction so long those rates are just and reasonable, a U.S. appeals court ruled.