Appalachian Power to get $5 million for Claytor hydroelectric upgrades September 9, 2024 Appalachian Power will receive $5 million in federal funding to upgrade its Claytor hydroelectric plant on the New River in Pulaski County. Virginia’s second-largest electric utility will use the money to help pay for replacing original equipment on two of the 75-megawatt…
Trend toward electric utility rate increases in regulated markets continues in 2024 September 9, 2024 Utility regulators in the United States are considering increases to electricity rates again this year as electric utilities seek to cover the investments needed to maintain and expand their systems. Utilities requested rate increases in recent years to pay for…
ERCOT successfully navigates heat wave, new peak demand record Aug 26, 2024 Despite record temperatures last week and a new peak demand record, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas said it was able to maintain service without conservation requests, which it required last summer. Large additions of renewables and battery storage, along with some new…
Renewable energy projects are facing increased delays, cancellations, and big losses Energize Weekly, August 21, 2024 Wind and solar projects across the U.S. are facing increased local and state opposition, leading to delays, cancellations, and millions of dollars in lost investments, according to university and national laboratory analyses. A Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory survey found…
US coal stockpiles hit highest levels since 2020 8.5.2024 Coal stockpiles at U.S. electric power plants totaled 138 million short tons at the end of May, the most since the first half of 2020 when the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic reduced electricity demand and coal consumption, according to analysis from the U.S. Energy Information…
Maine regulators will map out the next decade’s demands on the power grid July 29, 2024 An initial 10-year plan by the state for guiding Maine’s electric utilities includes goals of improving the reliability and resilience of the power grid system in the face of climate change — while also keeping costs affordable for consumers.…
U.S. electricity demand to rise spurred by the growth of data centers and electric vehicles Energize Weekly, July 31, 2024 After remaining relatively flat for the last 20 years, U.S. electricity demand is projected to grow 13 percent by 2030, boosted by demands from data centers, electric vehicles (EVs) and changing patterns of residential use,…
Manchin, Barrasso announce permitting reform deal, breaking lengthy impasse 07/22/24 Sens. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) have reached an agreement on a bill to speed up the nation’s energy and infrastructure projects after about two years of trying to reach a deal. The bill takes on a suite of issues known collectively as…
Federally proposed bill promotes Energy Dept.’s use of AI in energy, national security, science 7/15/2024 A newly introduced bill on Capitol Hill aims to advance America’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) by establishing a program at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that would promote the department’s use of the technology in its work in…
Hurricane Beryl Ravages Texas Coast, Leaving Widespread Damage and Power Outages July 8, 2024 Tropical Storm Beryl has unleashed heavy rains and powerful winds along the Texas coast, leading to widespread power outages affecting nearly 3 million homes and businesses. Streets are inundated with rapidly rising waters, prompting urgent rescue efforts as first responders work…
New rates approved for Duke Energy Carolinas customers in South Carolina Jul 08, 2024 The Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) has approved new customer rates based on a settlement agreement with almost all parties in the Duke Energy Carolinas rate review request filed with the commission in January of this year. The changes…
Despite bad weather and forced power plant outages the nation’s grid was reliable in 2023 Energize Weekly, July 3, 2024 Even in the face of extreme weather events and higher rates of forced outages at generating facilities, the U.S.-Canadian electric grid remained “reliable and secure” in 2023, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp.…