The California Public Utilities Commission on Jan. 10 opened a docket to implement the provisions of Senate Bill 901 enacted last year, allowing utilities to pass some of their costs to ratepayers. The commission said it will adopt a methodology for wildfire cost recovery, but will not adopt any specific financial outcome for future applications…....
The Electric Power Suppliers Association on Jan. 7 filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review appellate court rulings that upheld zero-emission credit programs designed to support financially struggling nuclear plants in New York and Illinois. The organization argues that the subsidy programs infringe on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s jurisdiction over wholesale…...
The Virginia Electric and Power Company filed a rate adjustment clause proposing a revenue requirement of $113.6 million to recover the costs of complying with state and federal environmental regulations for the 2019 rate year starting Nov. 1 and ending Oct. 31, 2020, according to a Jan. 10 press release from the Virginia State Corporation…
In 2019, the U.S. is expected to add 23.7 gigawatts of generation capacity and retire 8.3 gigawatts, according to a Jan. 10 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. About 8 gigawatts of coal, nuclear, and natural gas generation are scheduled to retire this year, with coal accounting for 53 percent of the retirements. Texas,…
The Illinois Commerce Commission on Jan. 9 released a report identifying challenges and opportunities related to electric vehicle deployment and its impact on the grid. The report identifies high upfront costs, range anxiety, lack of charging stations, and inadequate consumer awareness as the key barriers to widespread adoption. The main benefits surrounding electric vehicles pertain…
The Arizona Corporation Commission on Jan. 9 opened a docket to conduct a regulatory audit and a rate review of Arizona Public Service Company after the agency received complaints of large bill increases from the utility’s electric customers. The commission said that the significant number of complaints indicate inadequate customer outreach efforts after the recent rate increase…
Democratic Governor Tom Wolf issued an executive order on Jan. 8 requiring the state to work toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent by 2025, and 80 percent by 2050, relative to 2005 levels. By setting goals in line with the 2015 Paris climate agreement, Pennsylvania joins a growing number of states reacting to President…...
Colorado House lawmaker Chris Hansen, a Democrat, introduced legislation on Jan. 4 that would increase the maximum size of community solar gardens to 10 megawatts, up from 2 megawatts permitted by current law. The bill would broaden access to community projects, which offers consumers the opportunity to participate in solar installations through subscriptions, by allowing…...
The Michigan Public Service Commission on Jan. 9 approved Consumers Energy Company’s settlement that provides for an annual revenue decrease of $24 million and terminates the “Credit A” federal tax cut reduction of $123 million, resulting in a net revenue increase of $99 million. The tax adjustment, the first of a three-step process to address…
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission declined a request to rehear the agency’s rejection of Canada-based Hydro One Limited’s proposed takeover of Washington-based Avista Corporation, according to a Jan. 8 press release. Last month, the agency rejected the merger over concerns of political interference from the Province of Ontario, Hydro One’s largest shareholder. Idaho regulators…
New York State Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, a Democrat, introduced legislation on Jan. 2 that would impose a carbon tax of no less than $35 per ton on the distribution or sale of carbon-based fuels, increasing annually by $15 to a maximum of $185. Under the bill, 60 percent of the proceeds from the tax would be…...
The U.S. Energy Department selected 12 projects for early stage research and development to accelerate innovation in marine technology and help the industry become cost-competitive, according to a Jan. 8 press release.. The projects are intended to cut capital costs and accelerate innovation in marine energy technology by reducing the testing and development timelines. The…
