SPP, MISO propose changes to aid interregional grid projects

The Southwest Power Pool Inc. and Midcontinent ISO have proposed changes to their joint operating agreement to help build interregional transmission projects because they discovered their current framework created a "triple hurdle" that is blocking mutually beneficial projects.

Heading into hot summer, FERC staff reviews grid challenges, gas outlook

Despite forecasts of higher than average temperatures for the West, Southwest and Northeast regions of the U.S., grid operators, with the possible exception of the Electric Reliability Council Of Texas, should have little trouble maintaining reliability this summer during periods of peak demand.

FERC fines Dominion $14M for manipulating PJM's energy markets

Federal regulators have penalized a Dominion Energy Inc. subsidiary $14 million for engaging in a market manipulation scheme that improperly boosted the amount of lost opportunity cost credits it received from the PJM Interconnection from April 2010 through March 2011.

Generators may get refunds for duplicative charges in PJM, MISO

The PJM Interconnection and Midcontinent ISO may need to issue refunds for duplicative congestion charges imposed before the grid operators fixed their rules for pseudo-tied generators, FERC said.

FERC reaffirms order to boost energy storage participation in wholesale markets

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reaffirmed a regulation requiring grid operators to adopt rules that permit energy storage resources to participate in wholesale electricity markets.

Permitting gauntlet, lack of research seen holding back US transmission buildout

Industry executives and a U.S. senator at a forum named easing obstacles to transmission permitting and increasing federal research and development dollars for electric storage technology among the top priorities for modernizing the grid to achieve a clean energy future.

US Senate panel ponders fate of renewable energy tax credits

During a hearing in the U.S. Senate, lawmakers and industry members questioned whether the U.S. Congress should revive or extend certain renewable energy tax breaks as costs for the technology have fallen.

Report: US EPA plans big shift to nix increased deaths estimates of carbon rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reportedly will finalize a new approach to the way it measures the negative health effects of tiny airborne soot pollution as part of its replacement for the Obama-era Clean Power Plan.

Former US EPA head: Next White House should consider beefier Clean Power Plan

The EPA administrator who oversaw the development of the Obama-era Clean Power Plan believes a future presidential administration should consider introducing a stronger version of the sweeping regulation targeting fossil fuel-fired power plants.

House committee digs into US EPA's bid to scrap mercury finding for power plants

EPA's move to revoke the legal basis for the Obama-era Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, or MATS, rule would create years of unnecessary uncertainty for an industry that has already complied with the regulation, a former EPA official said.

FERC rescinds notice-of-violations policy blasted by energy groups

FERC has rescinded its nearly decade-old policy of issuing notices of alleged violations regarding market participant conduct under agency staff investigation.

US EPA watchdog finds former chief spent excessively on first-class travel

EPA's internal watchdog said that the agency should consider recovering $124,000 in "excessive costs" related to former Administrator Scott Pruitt's use of first-class and business-class travel.

PJM stakeholders spar over proposed reserve market design changes

PJM Interconnection power generators generally supported the grid operator's proposed reserve market design changes, while large power consumers, environmental groups and PJM's market monitor opposed the changes for a variety of reasons, including costs.

US EPA chief directs agency to issue new rules for cost-benefit analyses

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler instructed officials in four key offices to issue new rules for the way the agency calculates the costs and benefits of environmental regulations.