Georgia Power’s Fuel Rate Changes Expected to Reduce Annual Billings by $329 Million

Georgia Power’s Fuel Rate Changes Expected to Reduce Annual Billings by $329 Million

Georgia Power Company seeks to reduce fuel rates by about 16 percent, driven primarily by projected decreases in natural gas prices, according to a March 9 filing with the Georgia Public Service Commission.  The change would lower monthly residential bills by 4 percent or $5 for a customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, beginning June…...

Utility Power Shutoffs

PG&E Faces Record $2.14 Billion Fine Over California Wildfires

The California Public Utilities Commission on Feb. 27 proposed a fine of nearly $2.14 billion on Pacific Gas and Electric Company shareholders for the utility’s role in causing the catastrophic wildfires in its service territory in 2017 and 2018. The record penalty, imposed in an administrative law judge’s decision, is an increase of about $462…

Virginia Regulator Clears Dominion’s $226 Million Portfolio of Demand Side Programs

Pennsylvania Improves Customer Protections, Price Transparency in Retail Power Market

The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission on Feb. 27 adopted reforms to enhance rules related to customer information disclosure and pricing practices for retail electricity service. The revisions are intended to provide customers with accurate, timely pricing information when they are shopping for electric service from competitive suppliers. The rule changes ban termination fees in the final…

Time-Varying Rates Gain Prominence as Smart Metering and Renewables Expand

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Time-Varying Rates Gain Prominence as Smart Metering and Renewables Expand

Electric utilities and regulators across the U.S are increasingly considering time-varying rates as a means to reduce peak energy demand, utilize smart meter investments, and balance the grid amid the proliferation of distributed energy resources, including electric vehicles. Rate design that works in concert with the innovations in clean energy technology is critical to modernize the distribution grid.

PacifiCorp Requests $70 Million Rate Hike for Electric Service in Oregon

PacifiCorp filed a general rate revision with the Oregon Public Utilities Commission, seeking an increase of about $78 million for its electric services and recovery of about $17.3 million related to the early closure of Unit 4 of the 395-megawatt Cholla coal power plant, according to a Feb. 14 filing.  The company’s proposal to amortize…

Arizona Corporation Commissioners Propose Retail Electric Competition Rules

Arizona Corporation Commissioners Propose Retail Electric Competition Rules

Arizona corporate commissioners on Feb. 10 issued two sets of draft rules, paving the way for customers to participate in retail electric competition. The first draft would allow electric choice for all customers, while second would include eligibility restrictions. Following the initial draft issued last July, the Corporation Commission Chairman Robert Burns and Commissioner Justin…

More States Weigh Retail Electric Choice, Early Adopters Tighten the Bolts

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – As More States Weigh Retail Electric Choice, Early Adopters Tighten the Bolts

Retail electric choice has garnered increased attention as more states are weighing the prospects of opening their electricity markets to retail competition. In states with retail choice programs, regulators continue to strengthen oversight, in a bid to ensure customer protection and satisfactory service from competitive suppliers. Recent actions range from Arizona regulators’ efforts to implement customer choice, to New York’s strengthening oversight of energy marketers, and the Florida Supreme Court’s rejecting an energy choice ballot initiative.

Maryland Regulator Establishes Pilot Program to Implement Multi-Year Utility Rate Plans

Maryland Regulator Establishes Pilot Program to Implement Multi-Year Utility Rate Plans

The Maryland Public Service Commission approved a process allowing an electric or natural gas utility to propose a multi-year rate plan, an alternative rate-setting process that would extend utilities’ approved rates for up to three years, according to a Feb. 4 news release. The order establishes a framework for the first utility that requests for…

Hawaii Examines Rate Design to Encourage Microgrid Adoption, Advance Clean Energy Policies

Florida Regulator Authorizes Duke Energy to Recover $170 Million in Storm Restoration Costs

The Florida Public Service Commission approved an interim storm restoration recovery surcharge allowing Duke Energy Florida LLC to recover costs related to Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Nestor, which occurred in 2019. The utility reported costs of $171.3 million, including interest. Monthly bills for residential 1,000 kilowatt-hour customers will increase by $5.34 from March 2020…

EnerKnol Rates Tracking Table Q4 2019 Sample

EnerKnol Rates Tracking Table Q4 2019 Sample

Utilities are stepping up efforts to boost retail power and gas rates to offset tepid growth in electric demand and weak prices in the wholesale markets. Utilities are also overhauling how charges are set by launching non-traditional rate programs, including revenue decoupling and performance-based rates. Keep on top of the latest utility rate programs by…...

Utility Power Shutoffs

California Commission Proposes Additional Measures to Minimize Impact of Utility Power Shutoffs

The California Public Utilities Commission proposed additional guidelines that investor-owned utilities would be required to follow prior to the 2020 wildfire season prepare for and minimize the impacts of public safety power shutoff events to avoid the risk of power lines starting wildfires, according to a Jan. 30 news release. The agency also issued a…

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EnerKnol’s State Policy Playbook: Pennsylvania Strives to Embrace Clean Energy

Climate change and clean energy are figuring more prominently in Pennsylvania, which has been historically associated with coal and nuclear until the shale gas boom. Over the past year, Pennsylvania set the first statewide climate goals, committed to join the regional carbon market, funded solar projects, established alternative ratemaking, and unveiled a roadmap to boost electric vehicle adoption.