Markets

February 7, 2023

Judge dismisses lawsuit over TVA’s long-term deals Feb. 7, 2023 A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by environmental groups that challenged how the nation’s largest public utility signs up local power providers for two-decade contracts. A ruling by U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Parker in Memphis last week sided…

Finance and Accounting, Fossils, Gas Powered Generation, Markets, Markets, Renewables, Resource Planning, Risk, Storage

Renewable tax credits and changes on the grid are making most coal-fired plants uneconomical

February 7, 2023

Renewable tax credits and changes on the grid are making most coal-fired plants uneconomical Energize Weekly, February 8, 2023 A combination of new federal incentives for renewable generation and a shift in the way electric grids are managed has led to a point where it is more expensive to operate…

Distributed Generation, Markets, Markets, Renewables, Resource Planning, Storage

US solar PPA prices keep rising with demand set to grow further – LevelTen

January 31, 2023

US solar PPA prices keep rising with demand set to grow further – LevelTen January 31, 2023 US solar power purchase agreement (PPA) prices continued to climb in Q4 2022, as supply chain blockages and uncertain legislation increased costs for developers, according to renewables transaction infrastructure provider LevelTen Energy. Its…

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PUC approves electric market redesign in ‘big step for ERCOT’

January 24, 2023

PUC approves electric market redesign in ‘big step for ERCOT’ Jan 19, 2023 The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Thursday approved a redesign of the state’s electric market, recommending a new model they said will improve grid reliability, but critics said could pass more costs onto the consumer. The…

Distributed Generation, Emissions, Environment, Environment, Environment and Emissions, Fossils, Gas Powered Generation, Infrastructure, Markets, Markets, Nuclear, Renewables, Resource Planning, Storage

Electricity generation global demand for fossil fuels is about to peak, RMI says

January 24, 2023

Electricity generation global demand for fossil fuels is about to peak, RMI says Energize Weekly, January 25, 2023 The world has reached – or is close to reaching – peak demand for fossil fuels for generating electricity as the installation of cheaper renewable generation continues to grow, according to an…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Fossils, Gas Powered Generation, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Leadership, Legal Contracts, Markets, Renewables, Resource Planning, Risk, Storage

Puerto Rico to privatize power generation amid outages

January 17, 2023

Puerto Rico to privatize power generation amid outages January 15, 2023 Puerto Rico announced Sunday that it plans to privatize electricity generation, a first for a U.S. territory facing chronic power outages as it struggles to rebuild a crumbling electric grid. The move marks the beginning of the end for…

Distribution, Electrification, FERC, Fossils, Gas Powered Generation, Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Leadership, Leadership, Markets, Markets, Resource Planning, Resource Planning, Safety, Safety, Safety, Siting, Smart Grid, Strategy and Policy, Substation, Transmission, Transmission

Winter Storm Elliott stressed regional electric grids across the U.S. in different ways

January 17, 2023

Winter Storm Elliott stressed regional electric grids across the U.S. in different ways Energize Weekly, January 18, 2023 Winter Storm Elliott, the bomb cyclone with freezing temperatures and blizzard conditions that swept across the U.S. east of the Rockies, sparked a wave of outages with its impacts varying from regional…

Distributed Generation, Environment and Emissions, Markets, Markets, Renewables, Storage

US to Help Mexico Pay for Ambitious Solar Plan, Official Says

US to Help Mexico Pay for Ambitious Solar Plan, Official Says January 10, 2023 The US wants to help Mexico bankroll its ambitious plan for a slew of solar parks along their border, which is likely to require private funds and development bank loans, according to top diplomat focused on…

Emissions, Environment, Environment and Emissions, Infrastructure, Legal Contracts, Markets, Nuclear

Holtec seeks $7.4 billion loan for expansion tied to new reactor

Holtec seeks $7.4 billion loan for expansion tied to new reactor Jan. 9, 2023 Holtec International Inc. has applied for a $7.4 billion federal loan to fund expansion expected from future sales of a company-designed nuclear reactor. Holtec would tap the loan to boost capacity to make parts at its…

Customer Service / Marketing, Distribution, Electrification, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Leadership, Markets, Resource Planning, Risk, Safety, Safety, Safety, Siting, Smart Grid, Substation, Transmission, Transmission

AEP Ohio asking for rate increase to boost system reliability after last summer’s storms

AEP Ohio asking for rate increase to boost system reliability after last summer’s storms Jan. 6, 2023 Several months after powerful storms whacked AEP Ohio’s transmission system and forced the power company to turn off electricity to some Columbus-area neighborhoods to avoid a larger power loss, AEP is now asking…

Accounting and Finance, FERC, Finance and Accounting, Fossils, Gas Powered Generation, Leadership, Legal Contracts, Markets, Markets, Petrochemicals, Pipelines, Rates, Resource Planning, Risk, Strategy and Policy, Upstream Contracts

Colorado co-ops say Xcel Energy mismanaged natural gas supplies during 2021 storm

Colorado co-ops say Xcel Energy mismanaged natural gas supplies during 2021 storm Energize Weekly, January 11, 2023 The fallout from the soaring natural gas prices created by Winter Storm Uri in 2021 continues as four rural Colorado electric cooperatives have filed a complaint with federal regulators saying they were overcharged…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Fossils, Human Resources, Leadership, Markets, Resource Planning, Resource Planning, Risk

Pleasants Power Purchase Under Consideration in West Virginia PSC Order

January 3, 2023

Pleasants Power Purchase Under Consideration in West Virginia PSC Order JAN 3, 2023 An order from the West Virginia Public Service Commission last week approving rate increases for two power companies also included a provision for those companies to evaluate the possible purchase of the Pleasants Power plant. In an…

Cities, Emissions, Energy Efficiency, Environment, Environment, Environment and Emissions, Fossils, Infrastructure, Leadership, Markets, Markets, Regulation and Compliance, Strategy and Policy, Technology, Technology

Energy efficiency investments jump in 2022 spurred by energy security concerns

December 24, 2022

Energy efficiency investments jump in 2022 spurred by energy security concerns Energize Weekly, December 28, 2022 Global investment in energy efficiency – from building renovations to public transport to electric vehicle infrastructure – increased 16 percent in 2022, reaching $560 billion as efficiency gains grew fourfold, according to the International…

Backend, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Distribution, Electrification, Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Leadership, Markets, Resource Planning, Safety, Siting, Smart Grid, Substation, System Networks, Transmission

Entergy Louisiana files proposed 10-year Entergy Future Ready resilience plan

December 20, 2022

Entergy Louisiana files proposed 10-year Entergy Future Ready resilience plan 12/19/2022 Today, Entergy Louisiana filed its proposed Phase I Entergy Future Ready resilience plan with the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Phase I seeks approval of the first five years of a 10-year resilience plan that would aim to accelerate the…

Emissions, Environment, Environment and Emissions, Fossils, Markets, Markets

Global coal use is on course to hit all-time high this year, IEA says

December 20, 2022

Global coal use is on course to hit all-time high this year, IEA says DEC 19 2022 Global coal use is on course to increase by 1.2% to hit a record high this year, according to a report from the International Energy Agency. It comes at a time of significant…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Markets, Risk, Safety, Safety, Safety

PG&E wildfire and catastrophe proposal may trigger higher monthly bills

December 20, 2022

PG&E wildfire and catastrophe proposal may trigger higher monthly bills December 19, 2022 Higher monthly bills might jolt PG&E customers due to the utility’s request that state regulators allow the company to collect more revenue for its spending linked to wildfires and catastrophes. PG&E wants to recover costs that arose…

Customer Service / Marketing, FERC, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Leadership, Leadership, Markets, Markets, Rates, Renewables, Resource Planning, Resource Planning, Risk, Transmission

Wholesale on-peak electricity rates set to jump this winter by as much as 60 percent, EIA says

December 13, 2022

Wholesale on-peak electricity rates set to jump this winter by as much as 60 percent, EIA says Energize Weekly, December 14, 2022 On-peak wholesale and retail electricity prices are set to rise across the country this winter, with some regional wholesale rates jumping as much as 60 percent compared to…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Legal Contracts, Markets, Risk

Duke Energy Kentucky files request for rate adjustment with public service commission

December 6, 2022

Duke Energy Kentucky files request for rate adjustment with public service commission December 05, 2022 Duke Energy Kentucky recently filed a request with the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) to review its electric distribution rates and approve a rate adjustment. Overall, the company has proposed an adjustment that includes a…

Backend, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Distribution, Electrification, FERC, Infrastructure, Markets, Markets, Resource Planning, Resource Planning, Safety, Siting, Substation, System Networks, Transmission

NYISO reports sufficient electricity supplies expected to meet winter demands

November 29, 2022

NYISO reports sufficient electricity supplies expected to meet winter demands 11/28/22 The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) reported Monday, that they expect sufficient electricity supplies in the state are expected to meet demands this winter. “The New York State bulk electric system is well positioned to meet this winter’s…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Legal, Legal Contracts, Markets, Markets, Risk

Georgia Power’s long campaign for state approval to sign off on a 12% rate hike nears final showdown

November 29, 2022

Georgia Power’s long campaign for state approval to sign off on a 12% rate hike nears final showdown November 28, 2022 The final several weeks of Georgia Power’s $2.9 billion rate case will determine whether state regulators sign off on plans for customers to pay hundreds of dollars more per…

Cities, Construction, Distribution, Electrification, Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Leadership, Markets, Markets, Regulation and Compliance, Resource Planning, Resource Planning, Safety, Siting, Smart Grid, Substation, Technology, Transmission, Transmission

Highway charging stations for EVs may need as much electricity as a small town

November 29, 2022

Highway charging stations for EVs may need as much electricity as a small town Energize Weekly, November 30, 2022 A growing number of electric cars and trucks on highways will by 2035 require charging stations demanding the same power as an outdoor sports arena or even a small town, according…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Legal Contracts, Markets, Risk

Eversource, UI will cut electric rates for some, but not until 2024

November 22, 2022

Eversource, UI will cut electric rates for some, but not until 2024 November 21, 2022 The electric bills for roughly 1.5 million power customers in Connecticut are expected to spike dramatically come January, but a long-awaited initiative that would ease monthly energy costs for the state’s lowest-income residents is still…

Distributed Generation, Distribution, Electrification, FERC, Fossils, Gas Powered Generation, Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Leadership, Leadership, Markets, Markets, Nuclear, Petrochemicals, Pipelines, Renewables, Resource Planning, Resource Planning, Safety, Siting, Smart Grid, Storage, Substation, Transmission, Transmission

U.S. grid faces “unprecedented” risk of electricity shortfalls this winter, NERC warns

November 22, 2022

U.S. grid faces “unprecedented” risk of electricity shortfalls this winter, NERC warns Energize Weekly, November 23, 2022 A large swatch of the U.S. electricity grid – in Texas, the Midwest, Southeast and New England – is at risk of being unable to provide adequate power in the face of extreme…

Accounting and Finance, Communication and Marketing, Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Fossils, Human Resources, Leadership, Markets, Rates, Renewables, Risk, Strategy and Policy

Big Utilities See Inflation Reduction Act Helping Reduce Customers’ Energy Bills

November 15, 2022

Big Utilities See Inflation Reduction Act Helping Reduce Customers’ Energy Bills November 14, 2022 Utility giants planning to spend billions of dollars to move away from fossil fuels see the Inflation Reduction Act helping to reduce the cost of that transition as its customers grapple with high energy bills. Executives…

Accounting and Finance, Exploration/Production, Fossils, Gas Powered Generation, Infrastructure, Leadership, Legal, Legal Contracts, Markets, Markets, Petrochemicals, Pipelines, Rates, Renewables, Shale Gas/Oil Sands, Storage, Strategy and Policy, Upstream Contracts

Spurred by high commodity prices, energy production revenues on federal lands surge

November 15, 2022

Spurred by high commodity prices, energy production revenues on federal lands surge Energize Weekly, November 16, 2022 Energy production on federal lands and offshore areas in 2022 generated $22 billion for the federal and state governments – the highest in revenues since 2008 and second highest in 39 years, according…

Backend, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Distribution, Electrification, FERC, Finance and Accounting, Infrastructure, Legal Contracts, Markets, Markets, Resource Planning, Risk, Safety, Siting, Smart Grid, Substation, System Networks, Transmission, Transmission

ComEd to file multi-year grid plan, rate plan

November 8, 2022

ComEd to file multi-year grid plan, rate plan November 07, 2022 ComEd, a Chicago-based energy company, will file a multi-year grid plan along with a four-year rate plan in line with the requirements of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The plan will align closely with the state of…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Fossils, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Leadership, Legal, Legal Contracts, Markets, Risk

PNM customers continue to pay for San Juan coal plant that’s no longer operating

November 8, 2022

PNM customers continue to pay for San Juan coal plant that’s no longer operating Nov 7, 2022 In the two months since the San Juan Generating Station shut down in New Mexico, the region’s customers have been paying the same rate for a facility that’s no longer giving them energy.…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Leadership, Legal, Legal Contracts, Markets, Markets, Nuclear, Risk

American Electric Power hit with second subpoena tied to nuclear bailout bill

November 1, 2022

American Electric Power hit with second subpoena tied to nuclear bailout bill Oct. 28, 2022 American Electric Power has been hit with a second subpoena from federal regulators looking for information tied to the power company’s involvement in the scandal-ridden House Bill 6 legislation enacted three years ago to bail…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Leadership, Legal, Legal Contracts, Markets, Risk

FirstEnergy cuts off its ‘dark money’ spigot in Ohio, disclosures show

October 25, 2022

FirstEnergy cuts off its ‘dark money’ spigot in Ohio, disclosures show Oct. 24, 2022 Akron-based utility FirstEnergy has stopped using “dark money” in Ohio after agreeing to disclose future contributions, temporarily abandoning a controversial political spending tactic that was a critical cog in the largest bribery scandal in state history.…

Customer Service / Marketing, Emissions, Environment, Environment, Environment and Emissions, Finance and Accounting, Fossils, Gas Powered Generation, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Leadership, Markets, Renewables, Resource Planning, Resource Planning, Risk

Xcel Energy-Colorado positioned to lead clean energy transition, new president says

October 18, 2022

Xcel Energy-Colorado positioned to lead clean energy transition, new president says October 16, 2022 Robert Kenney took over as President of Xcel Energy-Colorado as the utility sought approval from state regulators for rate increases, a new clean energy plan and a proposal to reduce emissions from its natural gas system.…

Cities, Communication and Marketing, Customer Service / Marketing, Legal Contracts, Markets, Markets, Rates, Strategy and Policy

A colder winter and higher energy prices will boost winter heating costs, EIA says

October 18, 2022

A colder winter and higher energy prices will boost winter heating costs, EIA says Energize Weekly, October 19, 2022 American households will pay more for natural gas, electricity, heating oil and propane to heat their homes, spurred by increased energy prices and the forecast of a colder winter, according to…

Cities, Construction, Customer Service / Marketing, Environment, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Markets, Risk

As electric vehicles shrink gas tax revenue, more states may tax mileage

October 11, 2022

As electric vehicles shrink gas tax revenue, more states may tax mileage OCTOBER 11, 2022 The increasing popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles is shrinking revenue from gas taxes, prompting more states to consider charging fees based on miles driven to help pay for roads and bridges. This year at…

Infrastructure, Markets, Markets, Renewables, Resource Planning, Storage

Despite pandemic and supply chain problems, utility-scale solar posts a record in 2021

October 11, 2022

Despite pandemic and supply chain problems, utility-scale solar posts a record in 2021 Energize Weekly, October 12, 2022 A record 12.5 gigawatts (GW) of large, utility-scale photovoltaic solar projects came online in 2021 as the levelized cost of such projects has fallen 85 percent in the last 12 years, according…

Finance and Accounting, Fossils, Gas Powered Generation, Infrastructure, Leadership, Legal, Legal Contracts, Markets, Markets, Risk

PG&E Lays Out Plan to Sell Stake in Generation Capacity

October 4, 2022

PG&E Lays Out Plan to Sell Stake in Generation Capacity Sept. 29, 2022 PG&E Corp. executives have sketched out a plan to house the company’s non-nuclear generation assets in a new subsidiary, stakes in which could be sold to fund future safety and reliability investments. Representatives of the company’s Pacific…

Customer Service / Marketing, FERC, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Legal Contracts, Markets, Risk

AEP, Liberty reach amended agreement

October 4, 2022

AEP, Liberty reach amended agreement September 30, 2022 American Electric Power has signed an amended agreement on the sale of its Kentucky operations to Liberty, according to a press release. AEP expects to close the sale in January 2023 after approval of the transaction from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,…

Backend, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Distribution, Electrification, Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Markets, Markets, Renewables, Resource Planning, Resource Planning, Safety, Siting, Smart Grid, Substation, System Networks, Transmission, Transmission

New York ISO issues long-term system and resource outlook

September 27, 2022

New York ISO issues long-term system and resource outlook September 26, 2022 The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) issued a report identifying the amount of electrical system investment required to meet New York State’s long-term climate policy requirements. NYISO’s 2021-2040 System & Resource Outlook, developed in collaboration with stakeholders…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Legal Contracts, Markets, Markets, Risk

Rhode Island Communities Announce Launch of First-Ever Electricity Aggregation Programs

September 27, 2022

Rhode Island Communities Announce Launch of First-Ever Electricity Aggregation Programs September 22, 2022 Six Rhode Island cities and towns have joined together to launch aggregation programs that leverage community-wide buying power to provide their residents and businesses with new options for electricity supply. These Community Electricity Aggregation (CEA) programs will…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Markets, Markets, Risk

Duke Energy wins SEPA utility transformation program award for Florida subscription pilot program

September 20, 2022

Duke Energy wins SEPA utility transformation program award for Florida subscription pilot program September 19, 2022 The nonprofit Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) offered its 2022 Utility Transformation Program of the Year award to a Duke Energy subscription pilot program last week for its efforts to provide Florida customers with…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Legal, Legal Contracts, Markets, Markets, Risk

San Diego To Explore Full Public Power Takeover

September 20, 2022

San Diego To Explore Full Public Power Takeover September 16, 2022 The city of San Diego took one step closer toward full government takeover of its privately-owned power utility Thursday. The San Diego City Council’s Environment Committee approved a $3 million contract to NewGen Strategies & Solutions LLC to study…

Business operations, Cities, Construction, Customer Service / Marketing, Datacenters, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Leadership, Legal Contracts, Markets, Regulation and Compliance, Risk, Technology

Xcel property in Becker eyed for another big data center project

September 13, 2022

Xcel property in Becker eyed for another big data center project Sep 9, 2022 Xcel Energy Inc. plans to sell 348 acres of land at its Sherco location in Becker to an unknown company that could build a $1 billion data center project there. The utility said the new center…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Markets, Markets, Risk

TVA Board holds base rates steady, increases customer credits for 2023 fiscal year

September 6, 2022

TVA Board holds base rates steady, increases customer credits for 2023 fiscal year Sep 1, 2022 Despite high inflation and fuel prices, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) says it is maintaining strong, steady electric rates for the next decade. Over the past 10 years, the TVA says their wholesale power…

War and pandemic are leading to a surge in government support for fossil fuels, study says

September 6, 2022

War and pandemic are leading to a surge in government support for fossil fuels, study says Energize Weekly, September 7, 2022 The combination of the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine has spurred an almost doubling in government support for fossil fuel production among major economies, according to an…

Distributed Generation, Electrification, Environment and Emissions, Fossils, Gas Powered Generation, Infrastructure, Markets, Markets, Nuclear, Renewables, Resource Planning, Resource Planning, Safety, Safety, Storage, Transmission

Texas grid avoids summer blackouts with $1 billion in extra spending

August 30, 2022

Texas grid avoids summer blackouts with $1 billion in extra spending August 25, 2022 Texas’ electric grid operator has powered through record demand this summer by paying more to keep higher reserves and rewarding industrial consumers to cut usage, a combination that has added more than $1 billion to power…

Customer Service / Marketing, Distribution, Electrification, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Infrastructure, Leadership, Legal Contracts, Markets, Markets, Risk

Shelby County suburbs want Memphis, Light, Gas and Water to stay with the TVA

August 30, 2022

Shelby County suburbs want Memphis, Light, Gas and Water to stay with the TVA Aug. 25, 2022 The six Shelby County suburbs want Memphis, Light Gas and Water to stay with the Tennessee Valley Authority and not switch electricity suppliers. The six suburbs have written a joint resolution that urges…

Distributed Generation, Infrastructure, Markets, Markets, Renewables, Resource Planning, Storage

Onshore and offshore U.S. wind development made big gains in 2021, DOE says

August 30, 2022

Onshore and offshore U.S. wind development made big gains in 2021, DOE says Energize Weekly, August 31, 2022 Wind generation posted strong performances – both onshore and offshore – in 2021, according to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) market reports. Land-based wind generation grew by 13.4 gigawatts (GW) in 2021…

Customer Service / Marketing, Environment, Environment, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Markets, Risk

SoCalGas to provide water, energy conservation solutions to reach carbon emissions goals by 2045

August 23, 2022

SoCalGas to provide water, energy conservation solutions to reach carbon emissions goals by 2045 August 19, 2022 SoCal Gas announced Tuesday that it would implement several measures to conserve water and energy as part of its plan to meet net-zero carbon emission goals by 2045. The company said it recently…

Customer Service / Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Leadership, Legal Contracts, Markets, Markets, Risk

Pennsylvania energy companies increasing prices next month

August 16, 2022

Pennsylvania energy companies increasing prices next month Aug 10, 2022 The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is notifying residents and businesses that electric generation prices for some customers are expected to rise on Sept. 1, 2022. According to PUC, approximately half of Pennsylvania’s major electric distribution companies (EDCs) will reset their…

Distributed Generation, Environment and Emissions, Fossils, Gas Powered Generation, Infrastructure, Markets, Markets, Nuclear, Renewables, Resource Planning, Storage

Developers set to add 44 gigawatts of new generation to the U.S. grid, EIA says

August 16, 2022

Developers set to add 44 gigawatts of new generation to the U.S. grid, EIA says Energize Weekly, August 17, 2022 Fifteen gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale electric generating capacity were added to U.S. grid in the first half of 2022, with another 29 GW projected to come online by year’s…

Distributed Generation, Finance and Accounting, Infrastructure, Markets, Markets, Renewables, Resource Planning, Storage

Study finds 100% renewables would pay off within 6 years

August 8, 2022