Policy Primer: Carbon Pricing – October 2022 Update
Discussions about carbon pricing continue to evolve as the strategy is increasingly viewed as a policy tool that can play an expanded role in a broader policy mix to meet ambitious climate goals.
PNM Proposes $344 Million Grid Modernization Plan for New Mexico
The Public Service Company of New Mexico has filed a grid modernization plan with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission seeking approval of the first six years of investments in projects, totaling $344 million. The projects, a part of the company’s longer-term grid modernization strategy, include the deployment of smart meters and enhanced physical security…...
Biden Administration Reinforces Federal Government’s Resilience to Climate Impacts
The Biden administration on Oct. 6 announced new actions by over 20 agencies to strengthen the federal government’s resistance to the exacerbating effects of climate change. The actions of agencies are outlined in their annual adaptation progress reports and emphasise an administration wide responsibility to tackling the climate crisis, by incorporating climate-enthusiasm across each agency’s…...
Virginia’s 2022 Energy Plan Supports Diverse Energy Mix
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin on Oct. 3 released the state’s 2022 Energy Plan which provides an analytical assessment of the current energy economy and outlines an approach for policy decisions. To meet the growing demand of residents and businesses, the plan calls for an “all of the above” approach that taps nuclear, natural gas, renewables,…...
Florida Commission Approves Utility Storm-Hardening Plans With Changes
The Florida Public Service Commission on Oct. 4 approved storm protection plans for Florida Power & Light Company, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric Company, and Florida Public Utilities Company, making some program adjustments to alleviate customer rate impacts. In its decision, the commission eliminated some planned programs because they happened to be routine utility functions…...
Canada’s SaskPower Becomes First International Member of Southwest Power Pool
Southwest Power Pool (SPP) on Oct. 3 announced the participation of Canadian utility Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower) – the regional transmission organization’s first international member. The affiliation exemplifies both groups’ sustained attempts to enhance reliability through interregional coordination. SaskPower’s membership in SPP is expected to further strengthen electric coordination, improve the integration of intermittent generation,…...
U.S. Cybersecurity Agency Calls for Enhanced Asset Visibility, Vulnerability Detection
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued on Oct. 3 issued a directive requiring federal civilian agencies to enhance accountability for what resides on their networks. CISA is dedicated to employing its cybersecurity agencies to achieve better visibility and make appropriate risk reduction among federal civilian agencies. Enactment of the directive — Binding Operational…...
New York Begins Implementation of Requirements to Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles by 2035
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has directed the Department of Environmental Conservation to take regulatory action requiring a growing percentage of new light-duty vehicle sales to be zero-emission starting with 35 percent of sales in model year 2026, and reaching 68 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035. The move follows California’s Advanced Clean…...
Permian Basin Well Productivity Reached Record High in 2021: EIA
The average productivity of new oil and gas wells in the Permian Basin continued to increase for 12 straight years, reaching record highs in 2021, according to a Sept. 30 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In June 2022, the Permian Basin, which spans across western Texas and eastern New Mexico, constituted for around…...
Washington Finalizes Regulations to Implement Carbon-pricing Program
The Washington Department of Ecology has finalized regulations to implement the state’s cap-and-invest program, according to a Sept. 29 press release. The initiative is the mainstay of the state’s plan to drastically cut carbon emissions towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The program aims to deal with the root cause of global warming by reducing…...
U.S. EPA Completes Environmental Justice Action Plan for Land Protection, Cleanup Initiatives
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Land and Emergency Management has finalized an action plan detailing projects, tools, and practices applicable for its land pollution prevention and cleanup programs. The plan titled “EJ Action Plan: Building Up Environmental Justice in EPAs Land Protection and Cleanup Programs,” is part of the agency’s efforts to address…...