Policy developments around nuclear energy continue to evolve driven by new reactor technologies and the need for carbon-free power to support clean energy goals. Nuclear operators can have their yellowcake and eat it too as massive federal and state subsidies protect traditional nuclear power plants while underwriting the development of advanced reactors.
Texas is completing its first full legislative session since the 2021 Winter Storm Uri exposed catastrophic reliability flaws. The Texas legislature convenes in odd-numbered years. In 2021, a package of laws was passed to address critical reliability flaws like weatherization. In the current session, lawmakers are looking at the big picture and proposing to fundamentally secure natural gas as the backbone of reliability.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new limits on carbon dioxide emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants, the latest in a string of actions to further the Biden administration’s ambitious climate agenda including proposals to strengthen vehicle emission standards and curb methane leaks from oil and gas wells.
Demand response (DR) is becoming an important tool in utility resource plans to manage demand on the power grid and integrate intermittent energy resources. DR programs allow consumers to play a role in the operation of the grid by reducing or shifting their electricity usage during peak periods in response to time-based rates or other forms of financial incentives.
Heightened activity around carbon pricing mechanisms reflects the need for expedited measures to align with ambitious emissions reduction trajectories.
This Earth Day, we discuss initiatives exploring clean hydrogen as an effective option to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.
The market for electric vehicles (EV) continues to evolve as do efforts to address future charging needs. Recent actions range from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposals for tougher vehicle emissions standards to new national standards for federally-funded EV chargers, and the first round of funding under a $2.5 billion program to support charging and alternative fueling infrastructure.
The ongoing conversation on the role of natural gas utilities in reducing emissions continues as utilities work towards achieving ambitious state decarbonization goals.
The electricity system is in a state of transition amid the increase in fossil-fueled generation retirements and the penetration of intermittent renewable resources. Grid operators and regulators across the U.S. are exploring tools and strategies to adapt resource adequacy planning to the changing generation mix.
Amid the growing number of initiatives to unlock the benefits of distributed energy resources, states across the U.S. are pursuing measures that support customer-oriented solutions while ensuring reliable system operations.
Energy storage plays a key role in managing the pace of the transformation of the electric system. The versatility of the resource has allowed for multiple grid roles, including supporting transmission reliability.
The focus on decarbonization and energy security has elevated the importance of nuclear power as a critical technology to achieve national and state goals. Recent actions include the second award cycle of a $6 billion federal program established to maintain the existing reactor fleet and proposals to explore the feasibility of deploying advanced nuclear technologies.