Policy Primer: Carbon Pricing – October 2022 Update
Discussions about carbon pricing continue to evolve as the strategy is increasingly viewed as a policy tool that can play an expanded role in a broader policy mix to meet ambitious climate goals.
PNM Proposes $344 Million Grid Modernization Plan for New Mexico
The Public Service Company of New Mexico has filed a grid modernization plan with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission seeking approval of the first six years of investments in projects, totaling $344 million. The projects, a part of the company’s longer-term grid modernization strategy, include the deployment of smart meters and enhanced physical security…...
Visual Primer: Clean Hydrogen Receives Major Boost as Key Element Towards Net-Zero by 2050
The hydrogen market is changing amid federal and state initiatives to harness the technology to support decarbonization. Investing in clean hydrogen is viewed as a key component of efforts to progress towards the Biden administration's target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
U.S. Transportation Department Approves Plans for Nationwide EV Charging Network
The U.S. Department of Transportation on Sept. 27 announced it has approved electric vehicle infrastructure deployment plans for all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI, formula program. The initiative, created by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA, provides $5 billion to…...
California Adopts Strategy to Meet Federal Ozone Standard by 2037
The California Air Resources Board on Sept. 22 approved the 2022 State Implementation Plan, or SIP, strategy for reaching the federal health based standard for ozone emissions within the next 15 years. The net cost of the strategy is projected to be $96.2 billion, which involves $33.8 billion in board actions and $62.3 billion in…...
Illinois Utilities Report 44 Percent Diverse Spend in 2021
The 2021 supplier diversity spend reported by Illinois’ six investor-owned utilities showed that of the $5.1 billion spent among the utility companies, 2.2 billion – 44 percent – was diverse spend. The largest investor owned electric, natural gas, water, and sewer companies in Illinois on Sept. 16, presented progress reports at the Annual Utility Supplier…...
Visual Primer: Changing Policy Landscape Unleashes New Momentum for U.S. Nuclear Power Industry
The U.S. nuclear energy sector is now on the verge of a revival after years of premature plant closures and dim forecasts. Investments and tax incentives included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), enacted in August, add new momentum to the nuclear power industry.
Visual Primer: Utility Resource Plans Reflect Pivot to Low-Carbon Power Generation
Utility resource plans continue to manifest the changing power generation mix as more states pursue zero-carbon goals. The shift drives the need for innovative policy initiatives that optimize renewable energy sources and enhance grid reliability.
Visual Primer: Battery Storage Gets Boost From Federal Tax Incentives, State Policy Actions
Across the U.S., policy makers, regulators, and utilities are increasingly viewing energy storage as imperative to enable a transition to greater use of renewable energy, electrify buildings and transportation, and enhance grid reliability.
New Jersey Board Accepts Study on Cost Impacts of Energy Master Plan
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on Aug. 18 accepted a cost impact study, assessing how the state’s transition to renewable energy will affect utility rates under the Energy Master Plan, or EMP. The study found that most ratepayers would be able to reduce their energy bills by electrifying buildings and transportation and lowering…...