Cleared by Feds, $8.5 Billion in Pipeline Projects Now Face State Hurdles

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Cleared by Feds, $8.5 Billion in Pipeline Projects Now Face State Hurdles

EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the controversial Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipeline projects denying requests for broader reviews and evidentiary hearings. Recent setbacks due to state decisions and court rulings have now drawn attention to state battlegrounds in pipeline approvals. FERC's apparent inclination to supplant state decisions adds to concerns over jurisdictional issues.

Trump's EPA Trashes Global Benefits of Carbon Cuts in Repeal of Obama Climate Rule

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Trump’s EPA Trashes Global Benefits of Carbon Cuts in Repeal of Obama Climate Rule

Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Environmental Markets, PRODUCTS

In its proposal to repeal the Clean Power Plan (CPP), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has devalued the social cost of carbon (SCC) and disregarded the global benefits from the CPP. Following President Trump’s executive order rescinding the SCC, this approach could be used to revisit existing environmental rules. Despite the pushback on carbon pricing at the federal level, states are increasingly using the social cost of carbon as a metric to measure and reduce their climate impacts.

Massachusetts Among First to Consider Net Metering for Energy Storage amid Calls by Tesla

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Massachusetts Among First to Consider Net Metering for Energy Storage amid Calls by Tesla

Energy Storage, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities has initiated a proceeding to investigate the eligibility of energy storage systems to net meter. Stakeholder comments in prior proceedings prompted the investigation, which comes at a time of boom for the storage industry which reflects in the policy realm. Multiple states have passed policies supporting storage, such as mandates, tax incentives, streamlined permitting processes, and research and development programs. While the spread of renewables will be one major driver for the growth of storage, grid resiliency efforts, especially in the wake of weather disasters, will provide another avenue for growth in the industry.

Hurricane-Battered U.S. Gives Momentum to Sweeping Push for Microgrids

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Hurricanes across Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico Test Resilience of Grid

EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

Panelists at a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing concurred that having more diversified resources would help the authorities manage outages in the wake of hurricanes such as Irma, Harvey, and Maria. The catastrophic storms have emphasized the need for significant investments in the nation’s grid to protect it from a major, long-lasting outage that has affected Puerto Rico. Policymakers are turning to battery storage and microgrids as they do not just strengthen the grid against inclement weather but bring an array of other benefits.

New York Approves Utility Proposals for Setting the Value of DER

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – New York Approves Utility Proposals for Setting the Value of DER

EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, PRODUCTS, Renewables, Solar Power

The New York State Public Service Commission (NY PSC) has issued an order approving utility proposals to implement its Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) compensation mechanism, a structure that values DER in a more accurate manner including locational and environmental benefits that were previously not quantified. However, solar advocates that have so far commended New York’s reforms said the approval was inadequately reviewed and could undercompensate DER. While studies on the costs and benefits of solar and other types of DERs will help other states set their policies, New York will provide invaluable real-life lessons for other states with emerging solar markets.

DOE's SunShot Initiative Reaches Utility Solar Cost Target Three Years ahead of Schedule

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – DOE’s SunShot Initiative Reaches Utility Solar Cost Target Three Years ahead of Schedule

EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, PRODUCTS, Renewables, Solar Power

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced new priorities for its SunShot Initiative after it met the utility-scale solar cost target three years ahead of schedule. The new funding programs will prioritize research on grid reliability, reflecting the growing role of solar in the generation mix. In addition, over the coming years, DOE would examine the costs and benefits of net energy metering to utilities, ratepayers, and the grid.

Legislative Proposal Drops $3B Funding Plan for EVs in California

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Legislative Proposal Drops $3B Funding Plan for EVs in California

Electric Vehicles, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, PRODUCTS, Renewables

California lawmakers have removed a $3 billion, 12-year electric vehicle (EV) funding plan from a bill aimed to provide EV rebates and incentives. Instead, the amended bill would require the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to study vehicle incentive programs. California, a leader in EV adoption, is being closely watched for regulatory actions that could shape policies in other states.

Duke Energy Florida Cancels Nuclear Projects and Turns to Renewables

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Duke Energy Florida Cancels Nuclear Projects and Turns to Renewables

EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Nuclear Power, PRODUCTS, Renewables

Duke Energy Florida has reached an agreement with industry and consumer groups to cancel a nuclear project and invest more in solar and grid modernization. Recent similar proposals from major utilities such as Xcel and AEP reflect growing interest in renewable energy. While the trend towards renewables has been largely attributed to state mandates and improving economics, recent developments show that utilities are increasingly perceiving them as opportunities for growth and profit.

Court Rejects FERC's Gas Pipeline Approval for Failing to Consider Emissions

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Court Rejects FERC’s Gas Pipeline Approval for Failing to Consider Emissions

EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has rejected the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of the Southeast Market Pipelines Project – a three-part interstate pipeline – over concerns of inadequate review of greenhouse gas emissions. The decision comes while the Trump administration strives to streamline infrastructure permitting, and could broaden the scope of environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act for pipeline projects and other energy infrastructure.

EnerKnol Nuclear Subsidy Mapper

EnerKnol Nuclear Subsidy Mapper

EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Nuclear Power, PRODUCTS, Renewables

Cheap natural gas and the resulting wholesale electricity price declines have squeezed the revenues for nuclear generators, many of which have come under the risk of premature closure due to their inability to compete in the wholesale markets. However, multiple states have expressed support for options to keep nuclear as a low-carbon baseload electricity source in their energy portfolios.

Rejection of Grain Belt Express Highlights Dysfunction in Interstate Transmission Planning

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Rejection of Grain Belt Express Highlights Dysfunction in Interstate Transmission Planning

EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Smart Grid

The Missouri Public Service Commission has rejected the multi-state Grain Belt Express transmission project for the second time since 2015.The decision is based on a recent court ruling that all counties involved in a project must approve it before the MO PSC can do so. Four commissioners indicated they would have approved the project since it was in the public interest if not for the court decision. The move underscores the need for policies that greenlight grid modernization driven by the growing share of renewables in the generation mix.

Rhode Island Streamlines Solar Permitting in Clean Energy Bill Package

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Rhode Island Streamlines Solar Permitting in Clean Energy Bill Package

EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, PRODUCTS, Renewables, Solar Power

Rhode Island has enacted a suite of clean energy bills which includes legislation to streamline solar permitting and renewable energy interconnection. Rhode Island thus joins a small group of states that strive to standardize solar permitting, an important step toward reducing the soft costs of solar. Standardizing permitting is likely the next major opportunity for the solar industry which has benefited immensely from cheaper technology and financing.