ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS

EPA Finalizes Regulations for Coal Ash Disposal

The EPA has issued the first national regulations for disposal of coal ash as solid waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. On December 19, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule to regulate disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCR) generated from electric utilities and independent power producers.  The final rule…...

ARPA-E Announces Emissions Reduction and Energy Efficiency Projects

ARPA-E has announced $60M in funding under its MONITOR and DELTA programs to check methane emissions and facilitate energy-efficient thermal management. On December 16, 2014, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced $60M in funding for 22 innovative projects through its Methane Observation Networks with Innovative Technology to Obtain Reductions (MONITOR)…...

NY Announces Milestones to Advance the REV Proceeding

Governor Cuomo has announced five initiatives consistent with the REV strategy to advance the local clean energy industry and modernize utility sector operations. On December 12, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced new clean energy initiatives consistent with the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy to spur innovation and investment, improve customer choice…...

[Report] Utilities Nationwide Adjust Rate Designs to Meet Changing Customer Demand

Utilities are increasingly pursuing rate design reform to earn revenue as kilowatt-hour demand growth flattens. As net energy-metered residential solar PV installation growth continues, utilities will be challenged with building and maintaining infrastructure with diminishing revenue streams. The fixed charge and net energy metering NEM compensation debate will continue as utilities fight for sustained revenue…...

NY PSC Approves Con Edison BQDM Program

Approval of Con Edison’s BQDM Program is a significant step for the utility to pursue non-traditional infrastructure investments to meet local demand. On December 12, 2014, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) issued an order in Case 14-E-0302 approving Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc.’s (Con Edison) Brooklyn/Queens Demand Management (BQDM) Program to address overload…...

DOE Issues $12.5B Loan Guarantee Solicitation for Advanced Nuclear Projects

The DOE has issued a $12.5B loan guarantee solicitation to support innovative and advanced nuclear energy projects. On December 10, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a loan guarantee solicitation of up to $12.5B to finance advanced nuclear energy projects that employ new or significantly improved technologies compared to existing commercial technologies and contribute…...

[Report] New England Renewable Energy Policies Support Attractive Market

Federal tax incentives, strong state renewable portfolio standards, and associated renewable energy certificate programs facilitate regional installation growth. New England states must continuously analyze and update their RPS policies to ensure renewable energy growth, as developers currently rely on the standards and associated REC markets for project demand and financing. With federal and state policies…...

California and Québec Release Joint Carbon Auction Results

California and Québec have released the results of the first joint carbon auction under their integrated cap-and-trade emissions trading platform. On December 3, 2014, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, and the Fight against Climate Change (MDDELCC) released the results of their first joint carbon allowance auction held…...

California and Quebec Release Joint Carbon Auction Results

California and Quebec have released the results of the first joint carbon auction under their integrated cap-and-trade emissions trading platform. On December 3, 2014, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, and the Fight against Climate Change (MDDELCC) released the results of their first joint carbon allowance auction held…...

[Report] Utilities Moving Toward Alternative Resource Investments

State utilities – such as New York’s Con Edison – are beginning to consider non-traditional infrastructure and resource investments to meet peak load. Distributed energy resources investments and increased customer engagement will help create a more diverse, resilient energy grid. Over the next year – and beyond – State PUCs and utilities will work closely…...

DOI Schedules Wind Energy Lease Sale Offshore Massachusetts

The DOI will offer approximately 742,000 acres offshore Massachusetts for commercial wind energy development in a competitive lease sale scheduled for January 29, 2015. On November 26, 2014, the Department of Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a notice to offer approximately 742,000 acres of the Massachusetts Wind Energy Area (WEA) for…...