EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – EPA Raises 2017 Renewable Fuel Standard Mandates to Close in on Statutory Levels

Biofuels, Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, PRODUCTS, Renewables

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the 2017 Renewable Fuel Standards, increasing the total renewable fuel volume requirement to six percent above 2016 levels. The higher mandate increases the controversy over exceeding the “blend wall”, an issue that refiners have long cautioned increases the strain on the fuel marketplace forcing consumers to use higher-ethanol blends. The debate will likely increase pressure on Congress and the incoming administration to overhaul the RFS program.

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – FERC Proposes Reforms to Enhance Electricity Storage and DER Participation in Wholesale Markets

Blog, Energy Storage, EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has proposed reforms to remove barriers to the participation of electric storage resources and distributed energy resource (DER) aggregations in wholesale electricity markets. The reforms would provide storage and DER with structured access to bigger markets facilitating a paradigm shift in the way electricity markets function.

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Department of Interior Finalizes Pending Regulations amid Presidential Transition

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, Oil, PRODUCTS, Solar Power, Wind Power

The Department of the Interior (DOI) has announced the final Methane and Waste Prevention Rule, one of the last major climate mitigation efforts of the Obama Administration, the 2017-2022 Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Plan, and final rules creating competitive leasing processes for renewable development on public lands. Multiple rules finalized in the last months of the administration face the risk of being rescinded or weakened under the incoming Trump administration.

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – SoCalGas Seeks Authorization to Resume Gas Injections at Aliso Canyon

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

Southern California Gas has requested regulatory approval to resume natural gas injections at the Aliso Canyon storage facility, nearly one year after a massive leak prompted regulators to ban injections into the underground storage field until the completion of a comprehensive review. The interagency task force, established in response to the incident, has issued recommendations for additional actions to reduce similar incidents in the nation’s 400 plus facilities. The PHMSA is set to issue the first federal standards for underground natural gas storage facilities incorporating the task force recommendations.

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – California Energy Imbalance Market Reports Increased Benefits with Growing Market Participation

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has reported that total benefits from the western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM), the ISO’s enhanced real-time market launched in November 2014, reached $114.35 million. Following the success of the EIM and pursuant to the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015, California is investigating connecting grid operators across the West to share resources more efficiently.

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – New Hampshire NEM Successor Proposal Seeks to Expand Customer Choice

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, PRODUCTS, Renewables, Solar Power

The New Hampshire's Office of Consumer Advocate has proposed net metering tariff alternatives with options for a time-of-use rate for residential customers and a Fixed Solar Credit Rate for all customers, as well as a new community solar program. The proposal reflects the need to find ways to compensate distributed generation (DG) beyond the common strategies of reducing remuneration or imposing higher charges on DG customers.

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – New York’s Nuclear Subsidy Program Challenged in Court

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, Nuclear Power, PRODUCTS, Renewables

A coalition of energy companies have filed a lawsuit against New York’s nuclear subsidy plan for infringing on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s jurisdiction over wholesale electricity markets. The outcome of the recent court case and the success of the program in general will significantly impact the long-term prospects for the U.S. nuclear industry in unregulated markets.

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Pennsylvania Issues New Regulations for Unconventional Drilling

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has published regulations to set performance standards for surface activities associated with unconventional drilling, representing the first update to oil and gas well regulations since Marcellus shale development transformed natural gas production in the state. Some of the changes implement the requirements of Act 13 enacted in 2012 to overhaul Pennsylvania’s oil and gas regulations. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has rescinded several provisions of Act 13, reflecting support for municipal authority in the light of several state decisions that quashed local bans on hydraulic fracturing.

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Colorado Approves 600 MW Wind Project in Time to Utilize Federal Tax Incentive

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, PRODUCTS, Renewables, Wind Power

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CO PUC) has approved a settlement agreement allowing Xcel Energy to develop the 600 MW Rush Creek Wind Project in eastern Colorado. By commencing the project by the end of 2016, Xcel energy stands to benefit from the full value of the federal production tax credit which will be gradually phased down from next year.

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Ohio Approves 1,105 MW Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant Adding to List of Projects Replacing Coal

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

The Ohio Power Siting Board has approved South Field Energy’s proposal to construct a 1,105 MW natural gas-fired electric generation facility in Ohio’s Columbiana County. The project adds to the growing list of natural-gas fired power plants taking over the market share of coal-fired generation that is retiring due to tighter environmental regulations and higher costs.

Enerknol’s Visual Primer – Nevada Reinstates Retail Rate Net Metering for Existing Customers

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, PRODUCTS, Renewables, Solar Power

On September 21, the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (NV PUC) ratified an agreement grandfathering Nevada’s existing net energy metering (NEM) customers for 20 years into the previous NEM tariff that was eliminated in a controversial decision in December 2015. The decision will place approximately 32,000 customers back on the more favorable retail NEM tariff. Although…...

Enerknol’s Visual Primer – EPA Updates Cross State Air Pollution Rule to Comply with Stricter 2008 Ozone Standard

Blog, Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, PRODUCTS

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update establishing new ozone season NOX emission budgets for electric generating units in 22 eastern states that impair downwind states’ ability to meet the 2008 ozone standard. The rule will be implemented through the existing ozone season NOX trading program starting from the 2017 ozone season (May through September).