Blog Preview 2019 06 25

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – NextEra, PGE Among Utilities Leading the Charge in Paired Battery Projects

Energy Storage, Energy Storage, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, REC Feed, Solar, Wind

Battery storage is no longer just paving the way for greater integration of renewables onto the grid. The technology is now ushering in larger utility-scale solar and wind projects with diverse configurations. Utility proposals to develop massive storage projects in tandem with renewables are becoming more common as intermittent wind and solar continue to produce a growing share of power generation. Aggressive state and utility decarbonization goals are also driving the need for cost-effective batteries.

SPP Energy Imbalance Market

Southwest Power Pool Proposes Rival to Western Energy Market

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, REC Feed, Wholesale Power

The Southwest Power Pool Inc., the grid operator for 14 states in the central U.S., unveiled a proposal for a Western Energy Imbalance Service market designed to balance generation and load regionally and in real time. The market aims to create opportunities for participants to utilize diverse generating resources, optimize their use of the transmission…

Liberty Utilities Missouri Kansas Wind Projects

Liberty Utilities Wins Missouri Approval for 600 Megawatts of Wind Projects

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, REC Feed, Wind

The Missouri Public Service Commission granted permits for The Empire District Electric Company’s proposal to build three wind farms with a combined capacity of up to 600 megawatts in Missouri and Kansas, according to a June 20 press release. The projects, which represent an investment of over $1 billion, will facilitate customer savings by using…

Mountain Valley Pipeline

Environmental Groups Ask FERC to Revoke Mountain Valley Gas Pipeline Permit, Citing Repeated Violations

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, Integrated Resource Plans

A coalition of environmental groups and citizens led by Wild Virginia Inc. filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on June 21, alleging that Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC has been repeatedly violating federal and state requirements throughout the work on its natural gas pipeline project. Petitioners pointed to continued construction even after authorizations…

Arizona Corporation Commissioners Propose Retail Electric Competition Rules

Massachusetts Regulator Looks to Improve Consumer Protection Following Retail Supplier Complaints

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, Retail Power and Gas

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities will host the first meeting on June 26 for working groups tasked with discussing measures that promote and protect consumer interests in the retail electric competitive supply market, according to a June 14 memorandum. The regulator issued an order on Jan. 23 opening the investigation, which will discuss measures including…

New York Governor Announces Creation of Special Counsel for Ratepayer Protection

New York Flags Four Energy Marketers Over Violations

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, Retail Power and Gas

The New York Public Service Commission has flagged four energy service companies (ESCOs) over their failure to submit annual compliance filings under Unifrom Business Practices, according to June 14 notices. Bluesource Energy LLC failed to submit the yearly statement (January 31 Statement) that the information and attachments contained in the ESCO’s Retail Access Application Form and…

Minnesota Line 3

Minnesota Agencies Delay Permits for Enbridge’s $2.9 Billion Oil Pipeline, Await Revised Environmental Review

EnerKnol Impact-Misc Categories, EnerKnol Pulse, Oil

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Department of Natural Resources said they may not take final action on Enbridge Inc.’s permit applications for its Line 3 replacement project until the deficiency in the environmental review of the proposed oil pipeline is addressed, according to a June 18 news release. The announcement follows a recent ruling…

Maine Launches Solicitation for 375 Megawatts of Distributed Generation

Maine Passes Bill to Jumpstart Distributed Solar, Boost Community Projects

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, REC Feed, Solar

Maine state lawmakers approved a measure on June 18 that expands opportunities to invest in solar power, most notably by lifting the nine-person limit on the number of customers who can participate in a community solar farm. The legislation also calls for the procurement of 375 megawatts of distributed generation through competitive solicitation over the…

New York Climate Plan

New York Legislature Passes Sweeping Climate Plan, Aiming for Net-Zero Emissions by 2050

Energy Storage, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, REC Feed, Solar, Wind

New York state lawmakers approved legislation on June 19, which requires the state to cut its emissions to 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, with a plan to offset the remainder through measures that remove carbon dioxide, such as afforestation and carbon capture. The bill includes a requirement to produce 70 percent of electricity…

EPA ACE Power Plant Rule

EPA Finalizes Rollback of Obama-Era Power Plant Emission Rules

Climate Change and Emissions, coal, EnerKnol Impact-Misc Categories, EnerKnol Pulse, REC Feed

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on June 19 finalized its long-awaited carbon emission rules for the nation’s power sector, replacing more stringent Obama-era restrictions. The agency described the “Affordable Clean Energy Rule” as an effort to provide existing coal power plants with “achievable and realistic standards” to cut emissions. The rule allows states the flexibility to…

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Avangrid Seeks Permission for 155 Megawatt Tatanka Ridge Wind Farm in South Dakota

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, Wind

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission received an application from a subsidiary of Avangrid Renewables LLC to construct and operate the Tatanka Ridge wind farm proposed for Deuel County, in eastern South Dakota. The 155 megawatt project will encompass about 18,000 acres and be made up of 56 turbines. Construction is anticipated to begin later this year, with…