Navajo Energy Storage Station

Daybreak Power’s 2.2-Gigawatt Pumped Hydro Project to Utilize Retired Navajo Coal Plant’s Power Lines

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission accepted Daybreak Power Inc.’s application for a preliminary permit for its proposed 2,200 megawatt Navajo Energy Storage Station, Arizona, according to a Jan. 14 notice. The estimated $3.6 billion pumped storage hydro project would utilize transmission infrastructure that was previously used by the retired Navajo Generating Station coal plant. The…

U.S. Energy Department Announces Crude Oil Purchase to Test Market

U.S. Interior Department Announces Utah Oil, Gas Lease Sale

The U.S. Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management will offer 25 parcels of land, totaling about 32,700 acres located on Uintah County, at the March quarterly oil and gas lease sale, according to a Jan. 23 news release. The bureau will hold the lease sale online on March 10. The agency will conduct an additional…

States, Environmental Groups Challenge FERC Order on PJM Capacity Market Rules

FERC Approves Transmission Planning, Cybersecurity Standards to Strengthen Grid Reliability

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved two reliability standards developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to enhance transmission planning and cybersecurity, according to a Jan. 23 news release. The commission also accepted NERC’s performance assessment, endorsing the continued work of the corporation, now in its 13th year as the Electric Reliability Organization. In…

Solar Panels Power Plants

California Bill Seeks to Add Nuclear Power to Renewable Portfolio Standard

Republican lawmakers introduced legislation on Jan. 16 that would allow all hydroelectric generating facilities in operation as of Jan. 1, 2021, and nuclear power plants to qualify for California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard program. The legislation would also suspend the renewable power mandates, and direct the savings from the temporary pause to investor-owned utilities’ infrastructure investments to…

Michigan Regulator Approves $99 Million Rate Hike for Consumers Energy

Michigan Regulator Approves $36 Million Revenue Hike for Indiana Michigan Power’s Electric Services

The Michigan Public Service Commission authorized a settlement agreement, allowing Indiana Michigan Power Co. to raise electric rates by $36.4 million per year, about 38 percent lower than the utility’s request, according to a Jan. 23 news release. The new rates, which take effect on Feb. 1, will increase monthly residential bills by about 15…