Divided FERC allows ISO-NE to change market rules to accommodate state policies
If an order issued late March 9 is any indication, the newly constituted Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is not going to have an easy time tackling the pressing issue of the impact of state policies and generation choices on competitive wholesale markets.
Grid operators define resilience, seek FERC review of national security threats
Since Energy Secretary Rick Perry proposed a sweeping grid resilience rule to protect coal and nuclear generators from retirement, the nation's grid operators have been contemplating what resilience is and how it differs from reliability.
FERC chair expects changes to come from grid resilience proceeding
The chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would be "surprised" if regulators took no action after an evaluation of the resilience of the energy grid that was launched in response to a controversial proposal from the U.S. Department of Energy.
New US House bill seeks tax credits for existing coal plants
A new bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would provide a temporary tax credit for existing coal-fired power plants, with the goal of slowing a rising tide of retirements for generating units running on the fuel.
SC senator says NextEra's unofficial pitch for Santee Cooper falls short
At least one South Carolina senator believes that lawmakers should not decide the fate of Dominion Energy Inc.'s offer to buy SCANA Corp. but should do what is best for ratepayers when evaluating pitches for state-owned utility Santee Cooper.
Grid operators respond to FERC's grid resilience inquiry
Regional grid operators, including the one in Texas, have started letting federal regulators know their views on a number of resilience-related issues in response to a review launched in early January.
New EPA guidance to ease permitting for power plant upgrades
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a guidance memo aimed at streamlining the permitting of new or modified power plants and other major emissions sources.
Orphan energy tax credits face tough odds despite industry push
The renewable energy industry is lobbying for extensions to several key tax credits excluded from the GOP's recently enacted tax law, but Congress looks unlikely to include them in an upcoming omnibus bill.
Interior's Zinke takes heat over offshore plan, royalties, renewables funding
Federal lawmakers during a March 13 hearing questioned Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke over the Trump administration's plans for oil and gas drilling in federal areas and the U.S. Department of the Interior's proposed budget cuts for renewable energy development on public lands.
Court orders EPA to make good on April 30 deadline for final ozone designations
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt violated the law when he failed to issue all area designations for the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone in October 2017, a U.S. district court judge found. The court ordered the EPA to finalize those designations by April 30, with limited exceptions for several areas of the country.
Senate panel passes FERC rate challenge, LNG export bills
The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed a bill March 8 that would allow consumers to challenge power rate changes that take effect without approval by a majority of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission members.
FERC approves study permit for 1,200-MW pumped-storage project on Columbia River
FERC approved a preliminary permit for a 1,200-MW pumped-storage hydro project on the Columbia River that could provide flexible capacity to support large amounts of intermittent wind energy in the Pacific Northwest, according to the project's backers.
Arizona refuses to accept long-term plans of investor-owned utilities
Arizona regulators refused to accept the proposed integrated resource plans of the state's investor-owned electric utilities, saying they did not adequately account for the flattening of load growth that will result from energy efficiency, electricity storage, smart grid improvements and other new technologies.
