The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has determined that Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history, was caused by electrical transmission lines owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric, according to a May 15 press release. The Camp Fire started in Butte County on the morning of November 8,…
National Grid’s President John Bruckner, issued a statement on May 17 saying the company has stopped processing all applications for new or expanded gas service in Brooklyn, Queens and on Long Island following the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s decision on Wednesday to deny “without prejudice” a water permit for Williams’ Northeast Supply Enhancement project, which…
The South Dakota Public Utilities approved a settlement requiring MidAmerican Energy Co. to return about $4.2 million to the utility’s electric and natural gas customers, reflecting savings from the federal tax cut law, bringing the total refunds of the state’s investor-owned utilities to about $29 million, according to a May 15 press release. The tax…
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on May 16 declined a request to allow state regulatory authorities to decide whether or not behind-the-meter and distribution-connected storage resources may participate in the wholesale power markets. The agency acknowledged that states have the authority to dictate the terms of their own retail programs, allowing resources to choose between…
The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission granted a permit for Deuel Harvest Wind Energy LLC’s proposal to build a 310-megawatt wind energy farm in Duel County, according to a May 15 news release. The proposed project includes up to 112 wind turbines and a 345-kilovolt transmission line with an associated 345-kV interconnection substation located in…
In this update, Nevada, Washington and Puerto Rico are the latest states and territory to strengthen targets for clean energy, showing how momentum is building across the U.S. for more aggressive renewable portfolio targets. Nevada State lawmakers unanimously approved legislation in April to upgrade the state’s renewable portfolio standard to 50 percent by 2030, while Washington committed…...
The U.S. is expected to add 12.7 gigawatts of wind capacity this year, the largest since the 2012 high of 13.3 gigawatts, according to a May 15 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The growth is largely driven by the scheduled phase-out of the federal production tax credit, which provides a credit for each…
The Texas renewable energy credit, or REC, program currently has a registered capacity of nearly 28.7 gigawatts, including 2.2 gigawatts derived from non-wind technologies, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas Inc.’s annual report released on May 15. Offset generation accounts have a registered capacity of nearly 290 megawatts. The total amount of energy…
The Florida Public Service Commission approved Tampa Electric Company’s shared solar tariff, providing an option for electric customers to buy power from the company’s designated solar energy resource to meet all or part of their monthly energy needs, according to a May 14 press release. The program ensures equal access to solar power to homeowners,…
The Florida Public Service Commission authorized Gulf Power Company to implement an interim charge to collect an estimated $342 million from customers to cover the costs incurred to restore power after Hurricane Michael and to replenish the company’s storm reserve, according to a May 14 news release. The company will implement an interim monthly charge…
The U.S. is poised to become a net exporter of natural gas by pipeline for the year for the first time ever following a 24 percent jump in shipments to Mexico in 2018 and a build out of new cross-border links set to expand the capacity for flows heading to the southern neighbor.
Republican Governor Larry Hogan signed legislation on May 13 that extends the state’s community solar pilot through 2024 and removes the limit on the maximum number of subscribers in the program. Hogan also signed a bill establishing an energy storage pilot program that requires each investor-owned utility to solicit offers for projects under various commercial…
