Lawmakers eye compromise bill to bolster power lines in permitting negotiations 05/25/23 Lawmakers appear to be considering a compromise bill to bolster the nation’s power lines as part of efforts to tie energy permitting reforms to legislation that would lift the debt ceiling. A source briefed on the issue told…
Kentucky’s largest utility tests new law creating barrier to retire fossil fuel plants
Kentucky’s largest utility tests new law creating barrier to retire fossil fuel plants May 30, 2023 Republican lawmakers in Kentucky, raising concerns that planned and ongoing retirements of coal-fired power plants could affect the reliability and resilience of the electric grid, passed a new law that creates an extra barrier…
Ocean Wind 1 project moves forward; BOEM completes environmental analysis
Ocean Wind 1 project moves forward; BOEM completes environmental analysis May 23, 2023 The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Monday said it completed its environmental analysis of the proposed Ocean Wind 1 wind project off the New Jersey Shore. BOEM said Ocean Wind could power up to a half-million…
Upcoming CPUC Rulemaking To Streamline Transmission Line Permitting
Upcoming CPUC Rulemaking To Streamline Transmission Line Permitting 22 May 2023 The California Public Utilities Commission (Commission) has uploaded a proposed Order Instituting Rulemaking (OIR) that would revamp the permitting process for siting of electric transmission infrastructure within the state of California. The OIR, which is expected to be adopted…
Oklo’s Next Two Nuclear Power Plants Planned for Southern Ohio
Oklo’s Next Two Nuclear Power Plants Planned for Southern Ohio May 18, 2023 Advanced nuclear reactor technology firm Oklo will build its second and third commercial 15-MWe Aurora Powerhouse reactors on land owned by the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI), a community reuse organization tasked by the Department of Energy…
Hawaiian Electric proposes to repower Waiau Power Plant
Hawaiian Electric proposes to repower Waiau Power Plant 5/18/2023 Hawaiian Electric is proposing to replace six aging fossil fuel-powered generators at its Waiau Power Plant in Pearl City with smaller, more efficient and fuel-flexible units that can provide reliable, firm generation to back up the expanding portfolio of variable resources…
FPL proposes another rate reduction beginning in July
FPL proposes another rate reduction beginning in July May 19, 2023 After an initial rate reduction early on in May, Florida Power & Light is proposing another rate decrease, this time a $256 million cut to take effect in July. “This is more positive news for our customers,” said Armando…
U.S. grid facing blackout risks this summer and next winter, reliability agency warns
U.S. grid facing blackout risks this summer and next winter, reliability agency warns Energize Weekly, May 24, 2023 U.S. power grids are facing a risky summer and an even riskier winter, according to analyses by the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC), the agency that oversees grid reliability and security.…
TSA Official: Feds Improved Cybersecurity Response Post-Colonial Pipeline
TSA Official: Feds Improved Cybersecurity Response Post-Colonial Pipeline May 15, 2023 In the wake of the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline, the US Transportation Security Agency — the agency that regulates pipelines as well as air travel, railways, highways, and mass transit systems — brought together the CEOs of…
Grant County’s $75 Million Electric System Upgrade Project Nearing Completion
Grant County’s $75 Million Electric System Upgrade Project Nearing Completion May 15, 2023 Grant County PUD is set to undergo a comprehensive electric-system upgrade project across 10 different sites, costing approximately $75 million. The aim of these upgrades is to minimize outage durations and enhance the electric supply for residential,…
How is Colorado doing in shutting down coal power plants?
How is Colorado doing in shutting down coal power plants? May 15, 2023 Colorado clean air advocates had a swift reaction to the Environmental Protection Agency’s sweeping new rules to eliminate greenhouse gas and toxic pollution from electric power plants nationwide: Great idea, we’re already there. By the timeline the…
PG&E has a new way to store radioactive waste at Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant
PG&E has a new way to store radioactive waste at Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant MAY 12, 2023 PG&E will soon have an additional way it stores casks of new highly radioactive spent fuel from Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. Currently, the spent fuel — radioactive waste that remains dangerous…
Three Wisconsin utilities apply for rate hikes in 2024, citing renewable energy construction costs
Three Wisconsin utilities apply for rate hikes in 2024, citing renewable energy construction costs May 15, 2023 Three utilities have submitted proposals to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to increase rates in 2024, and consumer advocates worry about how rate hikes could affect customers. Those utilities are Alliant Energy,…
Legal war brews over EPA power plant rule
Legal war brews over EPA power plant rule 05/12/2023 EPA has rolled out its strongest-ever proposal to slash planet-warming emissions from power plants — but before the agency can tackle one of the nation’s leading sources of climate pollution, the strategy must first survive the courts. Legal observers say that…
Winter rains lift California hydropower outlook, easing regional demand for natural gas
Winter rains lift California hydropower outlook, easing regional demand for natural gas Energize Weekly, May 17, 2023 Heavy rains have filled California reservoirs and boosted the prospect for hydropower – welcomed news to the rest of the West, which saw natural gas prices soar last winter as California utilities scrambled…
Race for ever-larger wind turbines might be unsustainable
Race for ever-larger wind turbines might be unsustainable 8 May, 2023 The offshore wind supply chain is pushing back against the constant pursuit for bigger turbines given the financial difficulties experienced by the major turbine manufacturers and the ripple effects that the race for greater scale could create for other…
Another power line proposed to carry electricity from Quebec through New Hampshire
Another power line proposed to carry electricity from Quebec through New Hampshire 5/4/2023 Five years after Northern Pass was rejected by the state, another proposal is on the books to bring Quebec hydropower through New Hampshire but this time along a different route – passing through Dunbarton instead of Concord…
ComEd says traditionally summer preparations becoming year-round reality for grid resilience
ComEd says traditionally summer preparations becoming year-round reality for grid resilience May 08, 2023 According to a presentation of ComEd’s summer readiness and plans to the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), mechanisms are in place to assure reliability for its 9 million customers in northern Illinois. Summer is traditionally the time…
Hundreds of gas plants could escape EPA climate rules
Hundreds of gas plants could escape EPA climate rules 05/03/2023 About 1,000 natural gas-fired power plants that provide energy at periods of peak demand could be excluded from the toughest standards under EPA’s upcoming carbon rules. These plants are often located in urban areas, raising concern among some environmental advocates…
Westinghouse unveils “game-changing” AP300 small modular reactor
Westinghouse unveils “game-changing” AP300 small modular reactor MAY 8, 2023 Cranberry Township-based Westinghouse Electric Company announced Thursday it had launched a “game-changing” nuclear technology advancement – a new small modular reactor. The AP 300 reactor is a 300-MWe single-loop pressurized water reactor, the company said, based on the scaled design…
Initiative to create a consumer-owned electric utility and replace CMP and Versant will appear on Maine 2023 ballot
Initiative to create a consumer-owned electric utility and replace CMP and Versant will appear on Maine 2023 ballot May 9, 2023 An initiative to create a municipal consumer-owned electric transmission and distribution utility, replacing Central Maine Power and Versant Power, will be on the Maine ballot on Nov. 7, 2023.…
Cybersecurity goes undercover to protect electric grid data
Cybersecurity goes undercover to protect electric grid data 2-May-2023 Inspired by one of the mysteries of human perception, an ORNL researcher invented a new way to hide sensitive electric grid information from cyberattack: Within a constantly-changing color palette. Peter Fuhr, who heads the Grid Communications and Security group at ORNL,…
Utilities Seize Control of the Coming Boom in Transmission Lines
Utilities Seize Control of the Coming Boom in Transmission Lines April 26, 2023 Just about everyone involved agrees that the grid needs an upgrade, including a plan for a new transmission line that would run south of Chicago, across northern Indiana and into Michigan. What they don’t agree on is…
Years past deadline, Georgia will submit plan to close loophole in pollution regulations
Years past deadline, Georgia will submit plan to close loophole in pollution regulations May 1, 2023 Under pressure from the federal government, Georgia is rewriting a rule governing industrial air pollution limits to end a loophole that currently exposes communities near coal plants and other facilities to harmful pollutants. Federal…
Feds extend Diablo Canyon Power Plant license through 2030
Feds extend Diablo Canyon Power Plant license through 2030 04/29/2023 Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved the continued operation of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant through 2030 while the agency considers its license renewal application. The plant was set to close in 2025. Newsom said,…
Duke Energy’s Impact Report details progress toward ESG, business goals
Duke Energy’s Impact Report details progress toward ESG, business goals May 01, 2023 Duke Energy released a report that outlines its approach to sustainability and its progress on strategic business priorities and goals. Among the key points in Duke’s Impact Report, the company said its planned investment of $145 billion…
Federal agency opens Gulf of Maine for wind development as state tries to balance interests
Federal agency opens Gulf of Maine for wind development as state tries to balance interests Energize Weekly, May 3, 2023 The Biden administration has opened a 10-million-acre tract in the Gulf of Maine for offshore wind (OSW) development proposals, as the state is trying to balance promoting wind and protecting…
New FERC rule creates incentive-based rate treatment for utilities investing in cybersecurity
New FERC rule creates incentive-based rate treatment for utilities investing in cybersecurity April 24, 2023 A final rule issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last week could encourage the adoption of cybersecurity technology and collaboration among utilities, thanks to its creation of an incentive-based rate treatment. That treatment…
EPA to propose strongest emission limits yet for coal- and gas-fired power plants
EPA to propose strongest emission limits yet for coal- and gas-fired power plants 4.24.2023 The Biden Administration is expected to propose stringent requirements on utilities to reduce carbon emissions from fossil-fired power plants, according to multiple published reports. The proposal would be a transformational approach from the U.S. Environmental Protection…
Support for nuclear energy highest in a decade: Gallup
Support for nuclear energy highest in a decade: Gallup 04/25/23 Americans’ support for nuclear energy is at its highest point in a decade, according to a new Gallup poll. Fifty-five percent of respondents said they strongly or somewhat favor the use of nuclear energy as a method of providing electricity…
California Republicans blast fixed-rate power bill proposal as ‘crazy’
California Republicans blast fixed-rate power bill proposal as ‘crazy’ Apr 24, 2023 California Republicans are asking state regulators to reject a proposal by California’s three largest power companies to create a fixed rate for services based on household income. “The ‘fixed-charge’ proposal is nothing but a shameful attempt to exploit…
PPL Corp. advanced its commitment to ESG in 2022
PPL Corp. advanced its commitment to ESG in 2022 April 24, 2023 In its 2022 Sustainability Report, PPL Corp. gave an overview of its approach to a clean energy transition while outlining the company’s performance on the environment, social responsibility, and governance (ESG). “PPL is focused on excelling in safety,…
Surge in clean generation and storage projects creating a backlog on U.S. electric grids
Surge in clean generation and storage projects creating a backlog on U.S. electric grids Energize Weekly, April 26, 2023 A surge in clean energy projects – a 40 percent year-over-year increase in 2022 – is creating a traffic jam in getting onto the U.S. electric grid, according to a Lawrence…
Denver, state using speedy solar permitting apps to quicken clean energy transition
Denver, state using speedy solar permitting apps to quicken clean energy transition Apr 18, 2023 Denver plans to use a permitting software app to slash 30 days from the oft-frustrating process of getting rooftop solar panels approved for homeowners. And the Colorado solar industry is so fired up about the…
Construction nears on SRP large-scale battery energy storage project in Arizona
Construction nears on SRP large-scale battery energy storage project in Arizona APRIL 14, 2023 Officials from Salt River Project (SRP), Plus Power LLC, and the City of Avondale took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking to kick off construction at Sierra Estrella Energy Storage, what is expected to be the largest…
Calpine plans more natural gas power plants in Texas
Calpine plans more natural gas power plants in Texas April 13, 2023 Texas-based electricity generation company Calpine has relaunched its plans to build more gas-fired power plants in the state. The announcement follows the recent decision by Texas regulators to offer market-based incentives. The Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) adopted…
World Leaders Agree to Boost Nuclear Power, While Germany Shuts Its Plants
World Leaders Agree to Boost Nuclear Power, While Germany Shuts Its Plants April 17, 2023 Some of the world’s largest most influential nations have formed an alliance to create new supply chains for nuclear energy—the same weekend that another country announced it had completely weaned itself off the energy source.…
$2.8 billion sale of Eastern Kentucky power company will not go forward
$2.8 billion sale of Eastern Kentucky power company will not go forward APRIL 17, 2023 The previously announced sale of Kentucky Power, the utility company that serves a large portion of Eastern Kentucky, has been canceled, the company announced Monday. In December 2021, American Electric Power, the parent company of…
A key link in bringing Wyoming wind power to California gets federal BLM approval
A key link in bringing Wyoming wind power to California gets federal BLM approval Energize Weekly, April 19, 2023 After 15 years of planning and permitting battles, a key piece in billionaire Philip Anschutz’s $8 billion project to bring Wyoming wind power to California – the 732-mile TransWest Express transmission…
PacifiCorp eyes renewables as it plans to stop burning coal at most of its Wyoming plants
PacifiCorp eyes renewables as it plans to stop burning coal at most of its Wyoming plants April 5, 2023 Wyoming’s largest power company is shifting toward renewables and away from coal; however, the state is still planning a future that includes fossil fuels. PacifiCorp, also known as Rocky Mountain Power…
FirstEnergy Ohio firms file plan to invest in grid security, customer assistance and energy efficiency
FirstEnergy Ohio firms file plan to invest in grid security, customer assistance and energy efficiency April 07, 2023 With submission of a proposed Electric Security Plan (ESP) this week to state regulators, Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison sought to bolster their investments into distribution modernization and…
Vogtle nuclear expansion projects reach key milestones
Vogtle nuclear expansion projects reach key milestones April 11, 2023 The new nuclear units under construction at Georgia Power’s Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear expansion project near Waynesboro, Ga., reached some important milestones recently. At Vogtle Unit 3, the generator has generated electricity for the first time, and the unit…
Montana Judge Cancels Air Permit for Gas-Fired Power Plant
Montana Judge Cancels Air Permit for Gas-Fired Power Plant Apr 10, 2023 A judge in Montana has canceled the air quality permit for a natural gas-fired power plant under construction in the state, citing concerns about emissions of greenhouse gases from the facility. State District Judge Michael Moses on April…
PNM joins WPP’s reliability planning and compliance program in western US
PNM joins WPP’s reliability planning and compliance program in western US 10 Apr 2023 The Public Service Company of New Mexico has joined the first region-wide reliability planning and compliance program in the Western US, known as the Western Resources Adequacy Program. Seattle City Light and Snohomish County Public Utility…
Southwest Power Pool takes a first step in creating a western wholesale electricity market
Southwest Power Pool takes a first step in creating a western wholesale electricity market Energize Weekly, April 12, 2023 A group of 26 utilities and organizations representing power producers – ranging from the Rockies to the Southwest to the Pacific Northwest – agreed to join the initial phase of the…
Appalachian Power files to approve use of renewable energy facilities
Appalachian Power files to approve use of renewable energy facilities March 31st 2023 Appalachian Power, along with Wheeling Power, has requested to recover costs connected to renewable energy projects within service areas. The request was filed Friday with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia and includes a wind facility…
Grid Transmission Progress In The U.S.
Grid Transmission Progress In The U.S. March 31, 2023 As the U.S. continues to see the highest levels of renewable energy investment in its history, the investment required to expand and improve the energy transmission grid will need to keep pace. This is happening through a combination of private investment…
Senators lead push to accelerate advanced nuclear deployment
Senators lead push to accelerate advanced nuclear deployment April 3, 2023 West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito is trying her hand again at a bill that, if made law, would hasten the rollout of America’s newest fleet of nuclear power reactors. The wide-ranging, bipartisan measure, known as the Accelerating Deployment…
Electric prices for Connecticut residents likely to drop dramatically during the second half of 2023
Electric prices for Connecticut residents likely to drop dramatically during the second half of 2023 April 3, 2023 After three months of paying dramatically higher electric rates, there may be some relief coming this summer for a majority of Connecticut electric customers. The state’s two largest electric distribution companies, Eversource…
US Power Plant Firm Goes Bankrupt After Winter Storm Penalties
US Power Plant Firm Goes Bankrupt After Winter Storm Penalties March 31, 2023 Lincoln Power LLC, the owner of two Illinois power plants, filed for bankruptcy after its financial strain was exacerbated by nearly $39 million in penalties levied by the biggest US electric-grid operator. The Chapter 11 filing allows…