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…...
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).
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) Board of Governors has approved reactive power requirements for non-synchronous generators, such as solar PV, wind, and battery storage, in order to maintain grid reliability. The requirements will increase the scope and diversity of energy resources participating in CAISO markets.
After a court ruling forbidding the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to approve contracts requiring electric customers to pay for new gas pipelines, electric utilities have withdrawn their petitions to acquire capacity on the Access Northeast. The ruling deals a setback to New England state plans examining ways to advance regional pipeline projects through capacity contracts with electric distribution companies.
In approving new rates for UNS Electric, the Arizona Corporation Commission has delayed a decision on net energy metering (NEM) tariff and demand charges for residential solar until the completion of its Value of Solar (VOS) study.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has issued a proposal to comply with the Clean Power Plan (CPP) based on California’s existing cap-and-trade program, together with complementary state policies, such as renewable fuel standards and energy efficiency requirements.
Massachusetts H. 4568 (An Act to promote energy diversity) will shape the state’s energy future with an ambitious offshore wind energy target and lead to energy storage procurement targets with opportunities for utilities to own energy storage.
Court stay of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regional haze rule for Texas and Oklahoma highlights the increasing judicial scrutiny of EPA regulations due to accusations of overreach and failure to properly consider costs and impacts of proposed or finalized rules.
New York's proposed nuclear subsidy program could prompt additional policy changes, especially in terms of market design, as retention of existing nuclear plants requires long-term financial viability, which in turn hinges on wholesale markets recognizing the benefits of nuclear power.
As the legal fate of the CPP is still pending, with an outcome that will have notable implications on RGGI allowance prices, clarifications regarding RGGI’s post-2020 cap will help reduce regulatory uncertainty in the RGGI market.
The advent of innovative technologies, new supplies, and changing relationships between utilities, regulators, and consumers is continuing to encourage the utility business model to evolve.
With increasing solar penetration, states and utilities are considering methods for proper valuation of distributed generation, with regard to potential cost-shift to non-solar customers, aggregation, and ownership models.