EnerKnol's Visual Primer - Ohio Nuclear Bailout Scandal Stirs Up Questions Over Ratepayer Subsidies for Aging Power Plants

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Ohio Nuclear Bailout Scandal Stirs Up Questions Over Ratepayer Subsidies for Aging Power Plants

EnerKnol Impact-Misc Categories, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Natural Gas, Nuclear, Nuclear Power, PRODUCTS, Renewable Energy Credit Market, Renewables, Retail Power and Gas, Solar, Wholesale Power, Wind

The debate over ratepayer subsidies for struggling nuclear power plants has resurfaced, following a racketeering investigation related to a controversial Ohio law, which created a $1 billion bailout for FirstEnergy Corp. last year. The economic troubles of the embroiled industry come to the fore even as states such as New Jersey and Illinois evaluate plans to opt out of the regional capacity market in response to reforms that expanded the minimum offer price rule to subsidized resources.

FERC’s Updates to Utility Power Procurement Rules

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – FERC’s Updates to Utility Power Procurement Rules Gives States More Say in Rate Setting

Energy Storage, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid, Wholesale Power

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has revised the regulations for implementing a 1978 federal law, which requires electric utilities to purchase power from small power producers. The reforms, intended to reflect changes in the energy markets, mark the first major overhaul to utility power procurement rules under the law, which has spurred the growth of small renewable generators.

Court Cements Energy Storage

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Court Cements Energy Storage Access to Wholesale Markets, Expands Opportunities for Growth

Energy Storage, Energy Storage, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Wholesale Power

In a major victory for the energy storage industry, a federal court affirmed that battery installations connected to the distribution grid must have the opportunity to access wholesale power markets. The move comes as federal regulators are examining the growing interest in hybrid resources, with battery technology seen as an important tool in integrating other resources to the grid. The affirmation bodes well for expanding wholesale market access to distributed energy resources.

Mounting Legal Challenges Deal Blow to Major Oil, Gas Infrastructure Projects

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Mounting Legal Challenges Deal Blow to Major Oil, Gas Infrastructure Projects

EnerKnol Impact-Misc Categories, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, Natural Gas, Oil, PRODUCTS

A series of setbacks for high-profile oil and gas pipeline projects in the U.S. reveal the difficult climate for midstream projects in the face of growing legal challenges, changing economics, and states’ push to reduce fossil fuels as they embrace clean energy.

States Pursue Vehicle Emission Standards Despite Federal Rollback

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – States Pursue Vehicle Emission Standards Despite Federal Rollback

Electric Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Grid Modernization, PRODUCTS, Renewables

Policy support for electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow across U.S. states as transportation electrification is a primary component of regulators’ strategies to meet clean energy and emissions reduction targets. Recent initiatives range from California’s electric truck mandate to Nevada’s vehicle emission standards to New Jersey’s EV ecosystem proposal.

Distributed Solar Faces New Challenge From Petition Seeking Federal Oversight of Net Metering

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Distributed Solar Faces New Challenge From Petition Seeking Federal Oversight of Net Metering

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Grid Modernization, PRODUCTS, REC Feed, Renewables, Solar, Solar Power, Wholesale Power, Wind

As states continue to reexamine net metering programs in the evolving distributed solar landscape, the industry faces a new challenge: a petition asking federal regulators to exercise jurisdiction over these state-administered programs that compensate behind-the-meter generation for grid-exported energy.

Utility Regulators Focus on Assisting Customers, Rekindling Economy as COVID-19 Evolves

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Utility Regulators Focus on Assisting Customers, Rekindling Economy as COVID-19 Evolves

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Natural Gas, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas, Solar, Wholesale Power, Wind

As the pandemic continues to unfold, utility regulators across the U.S. are focusing on the core issues of providing relief for the hardest-hit customers and reviving the economy with the help of utility initiatives. To date, several states have extended disconnection moratoriums and implemented customer relief programs, while others are examining how additional spending by the utilities could provide new jobs while minimizing customer bill impacts in the future.

Timely Federal Review Invigorates Offshore Wind Industry Facing Permitting Challenges

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Timely Federal Review Invigorates Offshore Wind Industry Facing Permitting Challenges

Climate Change and Emissions, EnerKnol Impact-Misc Categories, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, PRODUCTS, REC Feed, Renewable Energy Credit Market, Renewables, Wind, Wind Power

In a move commended by offshore wind advocates, federal regulators released a much-awaited environmental analysis of the $2.8 billion Vineyard Wind project, which would be the first U.S. large-scale offshore wind project, and other facilities planned along the East Coast. The review is a step forward in the project’s permitting process and critical for the future offshore wind industry as it braces for challenges from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and prolonged permitting timelines.

RGGI Carbon Auction Signals Steady Market Defying COVID-19 Impacts

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – RGGI Carbon Auction Signals Steady Market Defying COVID-19 Impacts

Carbon Market, Carbon Markets, Climate Change and Emissions, EnerKnol Impact-Misc Categories, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Environmental Markets, PRODUCTS, REC Feed

Prices in the 10-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s latest carbon auction rose to the highest since 2015, defying impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic as two more states gear up to join the initiative. Meanwhile, revenues from California’s post-pandemic auction tumbled to $25 million, less than 5 percent of the previous auction proceeds, pointing to a need for reforms for predictable outcomes and a long-term strategy to fund climate programs.

States Weigh Regulatory Constructs to Capitalize on Multiple Grid Roles of Battery Storage

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – States Weigh Regulatory Constructs to Capitalize on Multiple Grid Roles of Battery Storage

Energy Storage, Energy Storage, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS

A growing number of states across the U.S. are amping up energy storage to complement the drive towards clean energy as batteries can help integrate diverse generation technologies and stabilize the grid. State commitments to procure battery storage capacity now top 11 gigawatts, following targets established by Nevada and Virginia this year.

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

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, PRODUCTS, REC Feed, Renewables, Solar, Solar Power

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.