The EPA has issued the first national regulations for disposal of coal ash as solid waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. On December 19, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule to regulate disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCR) generated from electric utilities and independent power producers. The final rule…
The New York State DEC has announced that it will prohibit high-volume hydraulic fracturing activity in the state based on findings and recommendations in the DOH Public Health Review. On December 17, 2014, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) released its Public Health Review of the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) draft Supplemental…
ARPA-E has announced $60M in funding under its MONITOR and DELTA programs to check methane emissions and facilitate energy-efficient thermal management. On December 16, 2014, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced $60M in funding for 22 innovative projects through its Methane Observation Networks with Innovative Technology to Obtain Reductions (MONITOR)…
The EIA has projected that U.S. crude oil production will grow in 2015 despite the recent price decline. On December 12, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report forecasting that U.S. crude oil production will continue to grow in 2015 despite the potential for weaker production levels due to the recent price decline….
Governor Cuomo has announced five initiatives consistent with the REV strategy to advance the local clean energy industry and modernize utility sector operations. On December 12, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced new clean energy initiatives consistent with the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy to spur innovation and investment, improve customer choice…
Utilities are increasingly pursuing rate design reform to earn revenue as kilowatt-hour demand growth flattens. As net energy-metered residential solar PV installation growth continues, utilities will be challenged with building and maintaining infrastructure with diminishing revenue streams. The fixed charge and net energy metering NEM compensation debate will continue as utilities fight for sustained revenue…
Approval of Con Edison’s BQDM Program is a significant step for the utility to pursue non-traditional infrastructure investments to meet local demand. On December 12, 2014, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) issued an order in Case 14-E-0302 approving Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc.’s (Con Edison) Brooklyn/Queens Demand Management (BQDM) Program to address overload…
The FERC has announced technical conferences to discuss the impacts of EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan on wholesale electricity markets, reliability, and infrastructure. On December 9, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced that it will hold four technical conferences – one National Overview conference and three regional conferences – to discuss implications of…
The House has passed a one-year extension of several tax provisions including the renewable energy production tax credit and several biofuel industry incentives. On December 3, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (H.R. 5771), a one-year tax extender package for several tax relief provisions that expired at…
According to EIA, 32 percent of natural gas pipeline capacity into the Northeast region could be bidirectional by 2017. On December 2, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report highlighting that 32 percent of natural gas pipeline capacity into the Northeast could facilitate bidirectional flow by 2017. Increased production in Pennsylvania, West Virginia,…
The FERC has conditionally approved the proposed Constitution Pipeline Project and related interconnection facilities to enhance natural gas supply options to New York and New England. On December 2, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) conditionally granted Constitution Pipeline Company LLC’s application for authorization to construct and operate an approximately 124-mile, 30-inch pipeline from…
The CT PURA has issued a draft decision reducing CL&P’s proposed electric rate increase by more than $100M and reflecting a penalty for CL&P’s inadequate performance during 2011 storms. On December 1, 2014, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) issued a draft decision on Connecticut Light and Power Company’s (CL&P) rate increase request, approving a…
