The Texas Public Utilities Commission on Oct. 16 issued an order allowing El Paso Electric to add a 228-megawatt natural gas-fired generating unit to its Texas-based Newman Power Station. The project is expected to come online in 2023 at an expected cost of $143 million. By the end of 2022, El Paso Electric plans to…...
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved a settlement allowing UGI Utilities Inc. to increase its annual operating revenues by $20 million, or 2.7 percent, implemented in a phased manner. In its initial filing in January, the UGI Corp. subsidiary asked for an annual revenue increase of approximately $74.6 million. During the three-step phase in, the…...
Hydrogen is emerging as an important player in the U.S. energy landscape because of its ability to decarbonize multiple sectors. A number of exciting projects harnessing the technology are taking shape as hydrogen and fuel cells can store energy to help enhance the power grid and maximize opportunities to deploy renewable energy.
The U.S. Energy Department on Oct. 6 announced a statement of intent to collaborate with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy on analyzing and sharing information on hydrogen technologies. The effort will facilitate the collection of real-world data to guide future research and development, and demonstration activities. The consortium supports the department’s…...
With growing access to competitive retail energy markets, regulatory reforms are focused on ensuring that consumers choosing third-party suppliers have accurate information to make educated decisions. In addition to updating marketing standards and sales practices that enhance customer protections, recent reforms are intended to empower customers by improving transparency of product and pricing information.
U.S. dry natural gas production rose by 10 percent in 2019 from the prior year, reaching a record-high average of 93.1 billion cubic feet per day, according to an Oct. 5 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. U.S. natural gas consumption increased by 3 percent due to increased power sector consumption while gross exports…...
The Maryland Public Service Commission on Sept. 29 launched a website for gas supply, supplementing the electricity shopping site unveiled in March. Consumers can make informed choices shop for offers, such as lowest price per therm, environmentally-friendly gas supply, and no monthly or early termination fees. The initiatives are intended to help consumers in making…...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Oct. 1 finalized a rule allowing a major source of hazardous air pollutants to reclassify as an “area source,” a less stringent category under the Clean Air Act, any time it implements measures to limit emissions. The action implements the agency’s 2018 guidance that withdrew the 1995 “Once In,…...
State policy goals are driving comprehensive grid modernization endeavors aimed at transitioning to a flexible and efficient grid that caters to the needs of the evolving electric sector and diverse customer interests. A growing number of state regulators and utilities alike are embarking on innovative ventures, striving towards necessary enhancements to accomplish energy and environmental goals.
In light of the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, state utility commissions are taking different approaches to mitigate the impacts on utilities and ratepayers. Several states have extended moratoriums on service terminations while directing utilities to proactively engage in outreach programs to inform customers about payment assistance and plans. Others have allowed utilities to resume disconnections for nonpayment as costs of unpaid bills continue to mount.
The share of U.S. energy production from fossil fuels peaked in 1966 at 93 percent, but production from nuclear power and renewables have also risen. Fossil fuels have accounted for about 80 percent of U.S. energy production in the past decade, according to a Sept. 14 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In 2019,…...
U.S. net natural gas exports continued to grow in the first six months of 2020 compared to the same period last year, but began to decline in spring 2020 due to the global economic slowdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures, according to a Sept. 15 report from the U.S. Energy Information…...