Western EIM Benefits Q2 2020

Western Power Market Benefits Top $1 Billion

The Western Energy Imbalance market generated about $79 million in savings in the second quarter of this year, with total benefits reaching about $998 million since its launch in 2014, according to a July 29 press release from the California Independent System Operator Corporation. The market constitutes an automated system that secures the lowest-cost energy…

U.S. Petroleum Demand Dips to Below 2019 Levels Due to COVID-Mitigation Efforts: EIA

U.S. Petroleum Demand Dips to Below 2019 Levels Due to COVID-Mitigation Efforts: EIA

U.S. petroleum demand is projected to see a widespread dip for the rest of the 2020 calendar year, according to a July 20 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The forecast was the conclusion of successive decreases in demand through March and April 2020 primarily as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The EIA’s…...

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

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.

New York Regulator Reaffirms Decision Approving Calpine’s 124-Megawatt Wind Project

New Jersey Seeks to Procure Up To 2.4 Gigawatts in Second Offshore Wind Solicitation

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on July 22 issued a draft guidance document for the second offshore wind solicitation for 1.2 to 2.4 gigawatts of capacity. The first round resulted in the selection of Denmark-based Orsted A/S to develop a 1.1-gigawatt wind project, known as Ocean Wind, off the coast of Atlantic City…....

U.S. Energy Department Announces Crude Oil Purchase to Test Market

U.S. Interior Department to Offer Nearly 80 Million Acres in Gulf of Mexico Oil, Gas Lease Sale

The U.S. Interior Department proposed to offer all available unleased areas in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas leasing in November, according to a July 17 press release. The auction marks the seventh offshore sale under the 2017-2022 leasing program. The sale was initially scheduled for August, but was postponed…...

Colorado’s Wind Generation

Colorado’s Wind Generation More Than Tripled Over the Last Decade: EIA

Renewables’ share of Colorado’s electricity generation grew from 10 percent to 25 percent between 2010 and 2019, according to a July 23 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Wind generation more than tripled since 2010, providing nearly 20 percent of the state’s electricity generation in 2019. Renewable electricity generation increased by more than double…...

U.S. Interior Approves 465 Megawatts of Solar Projects in California

Michigan Regulator Approves Consumers Energy’s Long-Term Renewable Power Contracts

The Michigan Public Service Commission on July 23 issued six orders approving utilities’ renewable energy proposals, including eight power purchase contracts between Consumers Energy Company and the members of the Independent Power Producers Coalition of Michigan. The contracts are expected to reduce costs by nearly $2.6 million over the life of the contracts. Six of…...

Permits for Alaska LNG Project

U.S. Interior Department Approves Permits for Alaska LNG Project

The U.S. Interior Department on July 23 approved the issuance of rights-of-way permits for the Alaska LNG Project across federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service. The $40-$45 billion project, developed by Alaska Gasline Development Corp. in partnership with BP and ExxonMobil, is expected to be the largest in…...

U.S. Energy Department to Invest $31 Million to Support Energy Sector Hydrogen Uses

U.S. Energy Department Invests $64M to Advance Hydrogen Production, Utilization

The U.S. Energy Department on July 20 announced an investment of approximately $64 million in 2020 for 18 projects to support hydrogen research and development under the “H2@Scale” initiative. The program is focused on wide-scale hydrogen production and utilization across multiple energy sectors to support resilience in power generation and transmission. The funding will focus…...

New York, Illinois Nuclear Subsidies Survive Legal Challenges

Court Approves Santee Cooper’s $520 Million Ratepayer Settlement Over Failed Nuclear Project

The South Carolina Court of Common Pleas Thirteenth Judicial Circuit on July 21 approved a $520 million settlement to refund customers of state-owned Santee Cooper for costs incurred toward the construction of the abandoned VC Summer nuclear power project. The deal includes a four-year rate freeze by the utility, constituting an additional $510 million benefit…...

New Jersey Board Joins Prominent U.S. Offshore Wind Research Organization

New York Launches Largest Renewable Energy Solicitation for Up To 4 Gigawatts of Capacity

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, on July 21 announced solicitations seeking up to 4 gigawatts of renewable capacity, including 2.5 gigawatts of offshore wind and 1.5 gigawatts of land-based large-scale projects. In addition, a solicitation for $400 million in multi-port investment requires offshore wind generators to collaborate with any of the 11 prequalified…...