HYDROPOWER
State and Regional Regulators Voice CPP Concerns at FERC and NARUC Meetings This past week, states and industry stakeholders directly voiced questions, concerns, support and opposition for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed emissions reductions from existing power plants. On February 19, 2015, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) held its first of four technical…...
The REV and CEF are anticipated to yield overall positive environmental impacts, primarily by reducing fossil fuel-based energy generation and supporting demand management, rate structures, electric vehicles, energy storage, and smart grid technologies. On February 6, 2015, the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) released its Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement providing…...
The House Energy and Power Subcommittee heard testimony from Secretary Moniz on the DOE FY 2016 budget request, which outlined $1+B in renewable energy program funding increases but a decrease to fossil energy research and development. On February 11, 2015, the House Energy and Power Subcommittee held a hearing on the Department of Energy’s (DOE)…...
California Senators Propose to Increase State’s Renewable Energy Targets in Support of Governor’s 50-50-50 Goal On February 10, 2015, California Democrat Senator Kevin de León publicly announced four bills as part of the California Climate Leadership bill package to support the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and establish objectives beyond its 2020 emissions reduction targets…....
Senators in the Environmental and Public Works Committee presented dueling cost-benefit arguments for the climate change mitigation proposal that split between Republicans and Democrats, despite widespread state opposition to the rule. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Clean Power Plan (CPP) proposal on June 2, 2014, to address greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from existing…...
A new Massachusetts energy bill aims to enhance energy diversity by rate-basing natural gas pipeline additions and mandating offshore wind procurement. A new energy bill filed by Rep. Patricia Haddad (D-MA) in the Massachusetts House of Representatives on January 16 proposes fundamental changes to the state’s energy landscape through increased renewable generation and natural gas…...
The President’s Budget Leaves a Legacy of Clean Energy and Climate Change Mitigation Support The president’s budget provides strong support for clean energy and addressing climate change. The proposal would allocate substantial funding for clean energy and climate initiatives, while removing favorable tax deductions for the fossil fuel exploration and production (E&P) industry. The budget…...
High clearing prices in ISO-NE’s ninth forward capacity auction will stimulate new resource build-out to meet future demand. FCM Auction Attracts New Resources to Meet Low Reserve Margin The New England Independent System Operator’s (ISO-NE) ninth annual Forward Capacity Market (FCM) auction to acquire resources to meet June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019 electricity…...
Governor Cuomo’s 2015 Opportunity Agenda reiterates his commitment to early stage energy technology and grid resiliency investments. In his 2015 State of the State address on January 21, 2015, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo proposed significant initiatives to advance clean energy, environmental protection, and climate resilience efforts that support the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) proceeding…....
EPA emissions rules and legislative actions will impact every aspect of the energy value chain in 2015 Key Takeaways: Policies impacting energy independence and associated environmental impacts are coming head-to-head at the federal level Legislators will aim to settle long-debated oil and gas infrastructure and export bills and will use legistive authorities to delay, defund,…...
In his State of the Union Address, the President made a forceful call for climate action, asserting that the U.S. will double its emissions reduction pace. In his State of the Union (SOTU) speech on January 20, 2015, President Obama made a resolute call for climate action, stating that no challenge poses a greater threat…...
The Justice Department has sought Supreme Court review of the May 2014 invalidated FERC Order 745 vacatur, considering its importance for the future of electricity-market regulation. On January 15, 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) — on behalf of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) — petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari to…...