Key Takeaways: Solar energy still only accounts for around 1% of total U.S. power generation but costs have fallen dramatically The BLM approved the first utility-scale solar development projects under the Western Power Plan By reducing non-hardware costs of solar energy, the BLM’s initiatives will soften the impact of Investment Tax Credit expiration Insight for…...
Key Takeaways: Enhancing energy efficiency is seen as a vital component of U.S. effort to reduce emissions and combat climate change A lack of access to information and financing are seen as critical obstacles to increasing energy efficiency of buildings Seven Accelerators have been announced within the Better Buildings program in order to enhance energy…...
During the 2000s, many companies positioned themselves for a prolonged period of U.S. natural gas import dependence and constructed multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals across the Gulf Coast. However, the shale revolution transformed the domestic energy landscape, with natural gas production increasing from 19 trillion cubic feet (tcf) in 2005 to 27…...
Coal has long reigned as the leading energy source for U.S. electricity generation, but structural changes in U.S. energy markets, brought on by technological innovations and new regulatory initiatives, have called into question the future of the coal industry. For over a century, the coal industry has provided the lifeblood for American progress, fueling the…...
Distributed System Platform to Facilitate New Resource Integration The marketplace envisioned under the New York Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) proceeding targets efficient development of distributed energy resources (DERs). In its REV Track One regulatory framework issued on February 26, 2015, the New York PSC determined that utilities will perform the…...
EPA emissions rules and legislative actions will impact every aspect of the energy value chain in 2015 Key Takeaways: Policies impacting energy independence and associated environmental impacts are coming head-to-head at the federal level Legislators will aim to settle long-debated oil and gas infrastructure and export bills and will use legistive authorities to delay, defund,…...
EPA’s Clean Power Plan, regional programs, and continued solar installation growth aim to improve state-level resource and grid reliability. The proposed Clean Power Plan and regional reliability programs will continue to influence an energy mix shift and electric system improvements in the coming years. The energy mix shift is also being pushed by fuel and…...
Demand response (DR) performance in wholesale power markets has improved over the past six years, in part as a result of multiple FERC Orders. Removal of DR from organized electricity markets would favor generators through increased sales; this could lead to higher associated emissions and peak power prices. The Solicitor General has until January 15 to file…...
Utilities are increasingly pursuing rate design reform to earn revenue as kilowatt-hour demand growth flattens. As net energy-metered residential solar PV installation growth continues, utilities will be challenged with building and maintaining infrastructure with diminishing revenue streams. The fixed charge and net energy metering NEM compensation debate will continue as utilities fight for sustained revenue…...
Federal tax incentives, strong state renewable portfolio standards, and associated renewable energy certificate programs facilitate regional installation growth. New England states must continuously analyze and update their RPS policies to ensure renewable energy growth, as developers currently rely on the standards and associated REC markets for project demand and financing. With federal and state policies…...
The New York State Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative aims to answer the question of how to proceed with New York’s energy future in the face of aging electric generating plants and the need for a more resilient energy infrastructure. Overview The initiative – announced by Governor Cuomo in April 2014 – tasks the…...
After years of debate in the lower courts, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) gained Supreme Court approval on April 29, 2014 to further regulate power plant emissions across 27 central and eastern states. Overview CSAPR was finalized in July 2011 to replace the 2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) to…...