Solar Panel Array 9 3 2019

Illinois Mulls Future of Nuclear Amid Climate Commitments

The Illinois Commerce Commission will hold a policy session on October 1 to explore the current and future role of nuclear energy in fulfilling its commitments under the Paris climate agreement, according to a September 24 press release. The state became a member of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a 24-state coalition committed to reducing greenhouse…

Wind Turbine 9 30 2019

DTE Energy Aims for Zero-Carbon Power by 2050

DTE Energy Company plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from electric generation by 2050, building on its existing commitment to cut emissions 50 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2040, according to a Sept. 26 news release. The company said that achieving carbon neutrality requires technological advancements in carbon capture, large-scale storage, and modular nuclear…

Department of Energy to Offer Funding for Community-Focused Clean Energy Businesses

New Jersey’s Community Solar Pilot Attracts Applications for 650 Megawatts of Capacity

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced that state’s community solar program has received an overwhelming response, attracting over 250 applications that represent more than 650 megawatts of capacity, according to a Sept. 26 press release. The three-year pilot, launched in January, has a capacity limit of 75 megawatts for the first year. The…

Oregon Governor Orders Sweeping Climate Action Setting Sector-Specific Emissions Caps, Tougher Clean Fuel Targets

Colorado Regulator Joins Climate Change Coalition

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission joined a coalition of western utility regulators, a cooperative effort formed in 2006 to promote clean energy and reduce carbon emissions, according to a Sept. 24 news release. The commission is the fifth to take part in the Joint Action Framework on Climate Change, following the Nevada’s utility commission, which…

Tax Cut Refund 9 27 2019

Consumers Energy to Return $1.6 Billion in Federal Tax Cut Savings to Michigan Customers

The Michigan Public Service Commission approved Consumers Energy Company’s third round of federal tax cut adjustments, which will refund about $1.63 billion to its electric and gas customers in amounts amortized over periods of up to 44 years, according to a Sept. 26 press release. The agency established a three-step process to address the short-…

California Plans to Expedite Microgrid Deployment to Prepare for Utility Power Shutoffs

California Passes Bill Directing Funds to Battery Projects for Resilience in Wildfire Threat Districts

California state lawmakers passed a measure that allots 10 percent of the 2020 funds from the Self Generation Incentive Program, or SGIP, to battery and distributed energy systems that can back up critical infrastructure in high fire threat districts to support resiliency during a deenergization event. The bill, which awaits the governor’s signature, allots $16.6…

Illinois Commission Launches Investigation into Value of Distributed Generation

Maryland Net Metering Installations Reach 50 Percent of 1.5-Gigawatt Limit: PSC Report

The number of net-metered facilities in Maryland has been growing in recent years, but the current installed capacity of about 754 megawatts is just over half of the eligible cap, according to the Maryland Public Service Commission’s annual report issued on Sept. 24. The agency does not recommend changes to the cap as it is…

FERC Approves Kinder Morgan’s Gulf Coast Southbound Project Expansion

Tallgrass Energy’s $213 Million Cheyenne Connector Gas Line Wins FERC Approval

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Sept. 20 authorized the construction of Tallgrass Energy LP’s proposed Cheyenne Connector Pipeline and the related Cheyenne Hub Enhancement project to deliver natural gas from processing plants in Colorado into Rockies Express Pipeline LLC at the Cheyenne Hub, allowing access to markets in the Midwest, Midcontinent, and Gulf Coast.…

Wind Turbine 23 9 2019

Duke Energy Unveils Path to Carbon-Free Power by 2050

Duke Energy Corporation aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from electric generation by 2050, and cut emissions by at least 50 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, according to a Sept. 17 press release. The company plans to double its renewable energy portfolio by 2025, and continue deploying low-cost natural gas to speed the transition…

FERC Conditionally Approves $4.3 Billion Sale of El Paso Electric Company

Oklahoma Regulator Slashes OG&E’s $77 Million Electric Rate Bump Request

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has approved a settlement agreement with the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company which had initially requested a $77.6 million dollar increase to its electric rates, according to a September 19 press release. Commission Chairman Todd Hiett praised the agreement as being in the best interest of Oklahoma and achieving more than simply low-cost electricity. The commission’s…

Environmental Groups Seek Stop Work Order on Mountain Valley Gas Pipeline Following Court Rulings

Missouri Regulators Approve Rate Adjustments for Liberty Utilities Natural Gas Customers

The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved a request by Liberty Utilities to change natural gas rates based on weather variations, according to a September 19 press release. Midstates Natural Gas Corp., a subsidiary of Liberty Utilities, requested adjustments to its natural gas rates under the weather normalization adjustment rider, which projects anticipated gas usage changes due…