The Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station has been officially disconnected from the grid. On December 29, 2014, the Vermont Public Service Department (PSD) announced the official closure of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station. The plant began operations in 1972 and was acquired by Entergy in 2002. Its current operating license expires on March 21,…
EPA’s Clean Power Plan, regional programs, and continued solar installation growth aim to improve state-level resource and grid reliability. The proposed Clean Power Plan and regional reliability programs will continue to influence an energy mix shift and electric system improvements in the coming years. The energy mix shift is also being pushed by fuel and…
The DOE’s Energy Storage Safety Strategic Plan recognizes the need for safety measures in the growing and 2015-projected $10B energy storage market. On December 23, 2014, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) released the grid stability during deployment of addressing gird-scale, utility, community, and residential storage technologies. The…
Demand response (DR) performance in wholesale power markets has improved over the past six years, in part as a result of multiple FERC Orders. Removal of DR from organized electricity markets would favor generators through increased sales; this could lead to higher associated emissions and peak power prices. The Solicitor General has until January 15 to file…
Arizona’s Tucson Electric Power has received approval for a solar program that allows participants to use solar power with no installation or maintenance costs. On December 18, 2014, Tucson Electric Power (TEP) announced that it has received the Arizona Corporation Commission’s (ACC) approval for its Residential Solar Program – an program that allows customers to…
The FERC has issued rulings on interregional transmission plans submitted under Order No. 1000, finding that CAISO has fully complied with regional requirements. On December 18, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued its first orders on interregional transmission coordination and cost allocation requirements under FERC Order 1000. Â The FERC recognized California Independent System…
The NYPA’s latest round of low-cost power allocations under ReCharge NY is expected to leverage an estimated $1.5B in capital investments. On December 16, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the New York Power Authority (NYPA) has approved the next round of low-cost power allocations under the 2011 ReCharge NY program. NYPA…
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…
PJM has announced it will request from FERC a higher cost-based offer cap of $1,800/MWh to set energy market prices through March 2015 to prepare for potential fuel cost increases. On December 10, 2014, the PJM Members Committee announced that PJM will submit a Section 206 filing – approved by the PJM Board – requesting…
Federal tax incentives, strong state renewable portfolio standards, and associated renewable energy certificate programs facilitate regional installation growth. New England states must continuously analyze and update their RPS policies to ensure renewable energy growth, as developers currently rely on the standards and associated REC markets for project demand and financing. With federal and state policies…
