Massachusetts Regulator Approves Long-Term Contracts for 800-Megawatts of Offshore Wind Power

Massachusetts Regulator Approves Long-Term Contracts for 800-Megawatts of Offshore Wind Power

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities authorized power purchase agreements between Vineyard Wind LLC and the state’s electric distribution companies Unitil Corp., National Grid plc, and Eversource Energy for a period of 20 years, according to an April 16 press release. The approval is crucial for the developer to start construction by this year and…

Coal, Nuclear-Heavy States Are Rushing to Renewables as Retirements Pile Up

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Coal, Nuclear-Heavy States Are Rushing to Renewables as Retirements Pile Up

Regions across the U.S. that have long served as strongholds for conventional, non-renewable generating capacity — from Georgia and Michigan to Tennessee — are now starting to accelerate the phase out of the legacy assets in favor of sourcing power from wind and solar, showing just how far-reaching the shift to renewables is spreading.

PJM to Hold Capacity Auction Under Current Rules Amid FERC Delay

PJM to Hold Capacity Auction Under Current Rules Amid FERC Delay

PJM Interconnection LLC will proceed with its upcoming capacity auction scheduled to begin on Aug. 14 unless the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules otherwise, according to an April 10 filing. The agency has not yet rendered a decision on the grid operator’s proposal filed last year to address the pricing-suppressing effects from the growing influx…

FERC’s Five-Year Plan Emphasizes Measures to Improve Electricity Market Design, Infrastructure Siting Reviews

New York Grid Operator Selects $1.2 Billion Worth of Transmission Projects to Ease Congestion, Accommodate Renewables

The New York Independent System Operator Inc.’s board of directors selected two transmission projects, which would add the largest amount of capacity to the state’s power grid in over 30 years, according to an April 8 press release. The grid operator said that the aging and congested transmission infrastructure is not capable of accommodating the…

Maryland Lawmakers Pass Legislation to Double Renewable Standard, Examine Pathways for 100 Percent Goal

Maryland Lawmakers Pass Legislation to Double Renewable Standard, Examine Pathways for 100 Percent Goal

The Maryland General Assembly approved a bill on April 8 that would raise the state’s renewable portfolio standard to 50 percent by 2030 from 25 percent by 2020. The measure would require a study to create a comprehensive plan to achieve a 100 percent goal by 2040. The legislation adds to the growing list of state-level…...

DTE Unveils $2 Billion Plan to Boost Renewables, Retire Coal and Slash Emissions by 2040

DTE Unveils $2 Billion Plan to Boost Renewables, Retire Coal and Slash Emissions by 2040

DTE Electric Company submitted its 2019 integrated resource plan to the Michigan Public Service Commission on March 29, outlining the company’s strategy for the next 20 years. The plan focuses on a transition from coal to renewables, boosting energy efficiency and accelerating carbon emission reductions. The utility’s plan calls for about $2 billion to be invested in renewable…

PJM Files Price Formation Reforms for Proper Valuation of Energy Reserves

PJM Files Price Formation Reforms for Proper Valuation of Energy Reserves

PJM Interconnection LLC on March 29 filed a proposal with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to revise its energy and reserve market rules to properly value the energy reserves that support grid reliability by providing the flexibility needed to accommodate the evolving resource mix. The grid operator said that the growing variability of power demand…...

Massachusetts Begins Process for Second Offshore Wind Solicitation of Up To 800 Megawatts

Massachusetts Begins Process for Second Offshore Wind Solicitation of Up To 800 Megawatts

The Massachusetts electric distribution companies Unitil Corp., National Grid plc, and Eversource Energy, and the state’s Department of Energy Resources proposed a timetable and procedure to solicit and execute long-term contracts for up to 800 megawatts of offshore wind power, according to a March 29 notice from the Department of Public Utilities. The companies are…...

Rhode Island Regulator Urges Approval of National Grid's 400MW Offshore Wind Deal

Rhode Island Regulator Urges Approval of National Grid’s 400MW Offshore Wind Deal

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources advised the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission on March 22 to approve the proposed twenty year Power Purchase Agreement between National Grid’s subsidiary Narragansett Electric Company and the 400-megawatt Revolution offshore wind project developed by Orsted, a Danish energy giant. The contract, which details the terms and conditions by which the…

Maine Legislature Mulls Ways to Boost Renewable Energy Investment

Maine Legislature Mulls Ways to Boost Renewable Energy Investment

Democratic Representative Seth Berry has introduced legislation on March 26 which seeks to study measures that would boost the adoption of renewable energy in the state. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology. LD 1401 will focus on transmission solutions that help enable more renewable energy investment in the…