The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $1.4 billion through its electric loan program that will help build and improve nearly 7,000 miles of line to strengthen reliability in rural areas across 21 states, according to a Nov. 1 news release.The spending includes about $256 million for smart grid technologies that use digital communications to…
ISO New England has issued its 10-year power system strategy for the region laying the foundation for long-term power system planning in New England, according to an Oct. 31 filing. The report details power system needs through 2028, and how these can be addressed, discussing three key issues currently affecting the New England grid, namely…
The share of U.S. electricity sales by competitive suppliers increased slightly since 2013 following over a decade of steady growth, according to a Nov. 1 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. While customer choice programs use competition to lower power prices and introduce new service products, not all customers pay less for purchasing power through…
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Nov. 1 approved an agreement resolving claims that Calpine Corp. violated the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s reliability standards concerning maintenance and testing of protection systems, which contains certain battery testing requirements, as well as California power market rules relating to forced outages. Texas-based Calpine agreed to the terms…
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources on Oct. 30 announced the selection of Mayflower Wind Energy LLC’s 804-megawatt project to negotiate contracts with the state’s electric distribution companies as part of the competitive solicitations required under 2016 legislation, which requires the state to secure 1.6 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2027. Mayflower anticipates long term…
The California Public Utilities Commission is launching a formal investigation into the recent Public Safety Power Shut-offs (PSPS), utility compliance with CPUC regulations and requirements, as well as series of immediate measures to protect consumers and overhaul the rules governing the mass safety measure, according to an Oct. 28 press release. The regulator is tackling the…
More than a dozen states have enacted measures or advanced programs over the last six months to boost electric vehicle (EV) usage and attract private investment in charging infrastructure. Growing concern about emissions and climate change is drawing increased attention to the transportation sector, the nation’s biggest polluter.
The California Public Utilities Commission on Oct. 28 approved Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s proposal to create a rate class for commercial electric vehicle charging with two new rate schedules for small and large customers. The new rates feature a monthly subscription charge and a time-of-use volumetric rate intended to encourage charging during times of…
Democratic Governor Ralph Northam announced that Virginia entered into a contract with Dominion Energy Inc. to buy 420 megawatts of renewable energy to power state government facilities, according to an Oct. 18 news release. The agreement, which includes four new solar projects and Virginia’s first onshore wind facility, will ensure that state agencies and institutions…
The Chinese government introduced a subsidy program establishing new incentives for domestic production of natural gas from tight formations and extending existing subsidies for extraction from shale and coalbed methane resources, according to an Oct. 23 report from the U.S. Energy Information administration. The program, introduced in June, is scheduled to be in effect through…
The California Public Utilities Commission issued a proposed decision on Oct. 21, requiring load-serving entities to procure 4 gigawatts of additional capacity to forestall potential resource adequacy shortages starting in 2021. The order also recommends extension of the Water Resource Control Board’s once-through-cooling regulation compliance dates for about 3.7 gigawatts of gas-fired units slated to…
The Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC asked the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to authorize the acquisition of a 302-megawatt wind farm from EDP Renewables North America LLC through a joint venture, according to an Oct. 22 filing. The Indiana Crossroads Wind Farm, which will be located in White County, was selected through a request…
