New Mexico Enacts Trio of Bills Supporting Renewable Energy Expansion

NYSERDA Requests Funding to Launch Build-Ready Program for Renewable Energy Development

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority on June 5 submitted a petition to the Public Service Commission, requesting approval to launch and advance the Build-Ready program through 2025. The move is in response to recent legislation that established a Clean Energy Resources Development and Incentives Program through which the agency will advance…...

Arkansas Decides to Retain Retail Rate Net Metering Through 2022

Arkansas Decides to Retain Retail Rate Net Metering Through 2022

The Arkansas Public Service Commission on June 1 issued an order retaining the current net metering rate structure, which credits rooftop solar customers at retail rates for net excess generation, through the end of 2022. The commission decided that systems under 1 megawatt should receive the full 1:1 retail rate credit until Dec. 31, 2022…...

New Mexico Enacts Trio of Bills Supporting Renewable Energy Expansion

Connecticut Regulator Provides Relief for Renewable Energy Projects Facing Delays From COVID-19

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority extended the start date for delivery of renewable energy credits, or RECs, from low and zero emission facilities under the state’s LREC/ZREC program to provide flexibility for projects that may be facing delivery delays due to the COVID 19 pandemic, according to a June 1 press release. The agency…...

Number of Renewable Projects Co-located With Storage Continue to Grow Across U.S: EIA

Number of Renewable Projects Co-located With Storage Continue to Grow Across U.S: EIA

The number of solar and wind generation sites co-located with battery installations has grown to 53 in 2019, from 19 paired sites in 2016, according to a May 18 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Another 56 such facilities will come online by the end of 2023 according to planned installations reported to the…...

Renewables Exceed Coal in U.S. for the First Time in Over a Century

Renewables Exceed Coal in U.S. for the First Time in Over a Century: EIA

U.S. annual energy consumption from renewables reached 11.5 quadrillion British thermal units in 2019, surpassing coal for the first time since before 1885, according to a May 28 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The agency pointed to the growth of renewable energy, especially wind and solar energy, for electricity generation amid the continued…...

Alaska Commission Begins Process to Regulate Electric Reliability Organization

Alaska Commission Begins Process to Regulate Electric Reliability Organization

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska on May 18 opened a proceeding to establish certification standards for regional electric reliability organizations, or EROs, and create a regulatory framework to oversee them. The move stems from legislation enacted in March that authorized the commission to certify EROs and define their duties including submission of integrated resource plans,…...

Massachusetts’ Energy Storage Gets a Boost Under Proposed Framework For Capacity Rights In Solar Incentive Programs

Geronimo Energy Seeks Permit for 128-Megawatt Solar Project, Largest in South Dakota

Wild Springs Solar LLC filed an application with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission for a permit to build a 128-megawatt solar project in eastern Pennington County, according to a May 22 notice. The project will serve Basin Electric Power Cooperative under a 15-year power purchase agreement, starting in 2022 to help the cooperative meet…...

States Extend Much-Needed Regulatory Relief to Solar Industry in Response to COVID-19

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – States Extend Much-Needed Regulatory Relief to Solar Industry in Response to COVID-19

A handful of U.S. states have taken steps to provide relief for the solar industry that has been facing uncertainties in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures to address the ensuing challenges range from expanding incentive programs, extending project deadlines, and expediting new projects.

California Adopts New Standard Contracts for Small Generators Under Federal Power Purchase Law

California Adopts New Standard Contracts for Small Generators Under Federal Power Purchase Law

The California Public Utilities Commission on May 15 issued a decision adopting a new standard offer contract for independent electricity generators of up to 20 megawatts seeking to sell their power to regulated utilities under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act 1978, or PURPA. The commission established a contract length of 12 years for new…...

New York Extends NY-Sun Incentive Program With Nearly $600 Million Funding

New York Extends NY-Sun Incentive Program With Nearly $600 Million Funding

The New York Public Service Commission on May 14 authorized an additional $573 million in funding for the NY-Sun initiative and extended the term of the program to support the state’s goal of achieving 6 gigawatts of distributed solar by 2025. The state is approaching the attainment of the initiative’s original goal of 3 gigawatts…...

Utility Power Shutoffs

New York Regulator Initiates Power Grid Study to Advance Clean Energy Goals

The New York Public Service Commission on May 14 opened a proceeding to implement the provisions of the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act with regard to distribution and transmission upgrades and capital expenditures needed to meet the state’s clean energy goals. The law established a new siting office to streamline permitting for…...

West Virginia Regulator Orders Cost Adjustments Slashing Gas Bills For 95 Percent of Customers

National Grid Issues Report Providing Solutions for Gas Supply Constraints in New York

National Grid released a report on May 8 supplementing its long-term capacity analysis issued earlier this year on natural gas capacity constraints in Downstate New York and available options for meeting long-term demand. The supplemental report incorporates feedback received from six public meetings, as well as the changing conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The…...