Alternative energy
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CO PUC) has approved a settlement agreement allowing Xcel Energy to develop the 600 MW Rush Creek Wind Project in eastern Colorado. By commencing the project by the end of 2016, Xcel energy stands to benefit from the full value of the federal production tax credit which will be gradually phased down from next year.
The Nevada Public Utilities Commission (NV PUC) has ratified an agreement grandfathering Nevada’s existing net energy metering (NEM) customers for 20 years into the previous NEM tariff that was eliminated in a controversial decision in December 2015. The decision will place approximately 32,000 customers back on the more favorable retail NEM tariff.
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On September 21, the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (NV PUC) ratified an agreement grandfathering Nevada’s existing net energy metering (NEM) customers for 20 years into the previous NEM tariff that was eliminated in a controversial decision in December 2015. The decision will place approximately 32,000 customers back on the more favorable retail NEM tariff. Although…...
In approving new rates for UNS Electric, the Arizona Corporation Commission has delayed a decision on net energy metering (NEM) tariff and demand charges for residential solar until the completion of its Value of Solar (VOS) study. The decision reflects the importance of data-driven decisions to prevent adverse impacts to the growing solar industry as utilities continue to seek rate structures that meet customers’ evolving usage patterns, reduce cross-subsidies, and enhance recovery of fixed costs.
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In approving new rates for UNS Electric, the Arizona Corporation Commission has delayed a decision on net energy metering (NEM) tariff and demand charges for residential solar until the completion of its Value of Solar (VOS) study.
New York's proposed nuclear subsidy program could prompt additional policy changes, especially in terms of market design, as retention of existing nuclear plants requires long-term financial viability, which in turn hinges on wholesale markets recognizing the benefits of nuclear power.
The New York State Public Service Commission (NY PSC) has issued a proposal to subsidize nuclear power generating facilities that may otherwise be retired to preserve their zero-emission attributes as part of the state's Clean Energy Standard (CES). The subsidy program could prompt additional policy changes, especially in terms of market design, as retention of existing nuclear plants requires long-term financial viability, which in turn hinges on wholesale markets recognizing the benefits of nuclear power.
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With increasing solar penetration, states and utilities are considering methods for proper valuation of distributed generation, with regard to potential cost-shift to non-solar customers, aggregation, and ownership models.
On April 18, 2016, a coalition of New York State electric utilities and solar companies jointly proposed a distributed generation compensation model that addresses cost-sharing issues in transitioning from net energy metering (NEM). As utilities and state regulators continue to debate over the valuation of solar power, the New York proposal could set a national precedent for utility-industry collaboration to support solar growth while addressing cost-sharing issues.
On February 23, 2016, the New York State Public Service Commission (NY PSC) announced a plan to preserve financially-struggling nuclear power plants, which, if closed, would negatively impact the state’s ability to meet its clean energy and emissions reduction objectives. The plan could set the stage for additional policy changes, since sustained operation of existing nuclear plants requires long-term financial viability facilitated by an effective market design that recognizes the range of nuclear benefits.
Key Takeaways: Reforms to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) interconnection requirements will eliminate the current reactive power exemptions for wind generators To implement the proposed amendments, each public utility transmission provider would be required to submit a compliance filing within 90 days after the final rule takes effect With growing wind energy penetration, grid…...
Key Takeaways: Entergy Corporation will retire its 852 MW FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in New York at the end of its current fuel cycle by early 2017 Natural gas-fired generation will largely replace decommissioned nuclear capacity Renewable generation will increase, although at a slower pace that may not offset lost nuclear generation, due to its…...