Policy Primer: Competitive Retail Electricity Markets August 2021 Update

Policy Primer: Competitive Retail Electricity Markets August 2021 Update

As the retail energy marketplace evolves, state lawmakers and regulators are expanding their focus on the impacts to clean energy and long-term reliability, in addition to consumer protections and operational efficiencies.

EK Webinar Cold Weather Reliability

EnerKnol Webinar: Cold Weather Reliability

Extreme cold weather conditions were a major factor in multiple grid events that occurred over the last decade, most notably the recent mid-February Winter Storm Uri that affected the south-central U.S., causing widespread outages and forcing natural gas processing plants to shut down. The impacts of these events on electric and gas systems that were unprepared for the challenge has emphasized the need to address cold weather reliability.

Kansas Regulator Lowers Westar’s Electric Rates by $66 Million, Adds Demand Charge For Solar Customers Citing Cost Shifts

California’s New Building Energy Efficiency Standards Encourage All-Electric Construction

The California Energy Commission on Aug. 11 adopted the 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards revising energy efficiency standards for newly constructed and renovated buildings as part of its three-year update cycle. The new code is estimated to provide $1.5 billion in consumer benefits and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 million metric tons over the…...

EnerKnol Research PU Visual Primer Cold Weather Reliability Special Report 2021

Visual Primer: Cold Weather Reliability Standards at Forefront of Regulators’ Efforts to Prevent Weather-Induced Energy Crisis

Extreme cold weather conditions were a major factor in multiple grid events that occurred over the last decade, most notably the recent mid-February Winter Storm Uri that affected the south-central U.S., causing widespread outages and forcing natural gas processing plants to shut down. The impacts of these events on electric and gas systems that were unprepared for the challenge has emphasized the need to address cold weather reliability.

Widespread Power Outages from Winter Storms Draw Attention to Cold Weather Reliability

Widespread Power Outages from Winter Storms Draw Attention to Cold Weather Reliability

The mid-February Winter Storm Uri, which caused widespread power outages across the south-central U.S., has sharply brought cold weather reliability standards to the forefront of regulatory and market attention. Texas, which experienced the worst power outages resulting from the storm, has passed legislation and initiated investigations to address the impacts of the grid event. The…...

Policy Primer: U.S. Offshore Wind Industry August 2021 Update

Policy Primer: U.S. Offshore Wind Industry August 2021 Update

The U.S. offshore wind industry is making strides with significant milestones including approval of the first large-scale project in federal waters, federal efforts to advance permitting processes, and actions towards potential development in the Pacific.

U.S. Energy Department Finalizes $102 Million Vehicles Manufacturing Loan to Syrah Technologies

Illinois Commission Approves Ameren’s Rate Plan to Spur EV Adoption, Charger Installations

The Illinois Commerce Commission on Aug. 3 granted Ameren Illinois Company’s request to create an electric vehicle charging program that offers new optional rate structures to incentivize EV adoption and install charging stations. The tariff, titled “Rider Optional Electric Vehicle Charging Program,” is designed to encourage charging during specific off-peak periods. This initiative would support…...

Southwest Power Pool Proposes Rules to Implement Western Power Market

Bonneville Power Administration Moves Closer to Join Western Power Market to Enhance Transmission Reliability, Resource Utilization

The Bonneville Power Administration on July 29 released a draft decision to join the Western Energy Imbalance Market, or EIM, operated by the California Independent System Operator Corp., in March 2022 after a three-year evaluation of the market opportunity. The federal power marketing administration, which sells electricity from 31 federal dams and one nuclear plant…...

State Policy Playbook: Oregon Embarks on Ambitious Agenda to Decarbonize Power Grid by 2040

State Policy Playbook: Oregon Embarks on Ambitious Agenda to Decarbonize Power Grid by 2040

Oregon has embarked on a clean energy transition with the enactment of sweeping legislation that mandates carbon-free power by 2040, setting one of the most ambitious decarbonization timelines in the nation. The state’s carbon reduction efforts range from legislative measures to study renewable hydrogen and expand transportation electrification, to rulemaking for a climate protection plan, and investigation into resource adequacy.