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

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.…

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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…

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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

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…

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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

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…

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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…

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Power rate hike rebate during winter storms possible, court ruling reveals

Power rate hike rebate during winter storms possible, court ruling reveals March 20, 2023 When the temperatures dropped during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, prices for electricity went up. The bills that followed provided a shock that energy analysts like Ed Hirs, a University of Houston energy fellow, described as…

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More than 43,000 miles of new transmission lines needed in the U.S. by 2040, DOE study says

More than 43,000 miles of new transmission lines needed in the U.S. by 2040, DOE study says

More than 43,000 miles of new transmission lines needed in the U.S. by 2040, DOE study says Energize Weekly, March 15, 2023 The United States is projected to need more than 47,300 gigawatt-miles of new transmission lines by 2040 – in some cases they will be needed as soon as…

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DOE touts grid expansion plans as operators raise concerns

DOE touts grid expansion plans as operators raise concerns 02/27/2023 The Department of Energy calls its new draft report on transmission a vital step in confronting barriers to long-distance power lines, but not all U.S. grid operators are sold on the outlook. DOE’s draft “National Transmission Needs Study,” released Friday,…

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The United States Is Facing Electricity Famine

The United States Is Facing Electricity Famine Feb. 7, 2023 There are signs that we are heading towards an electricity famine; a life-threatening energy Holodomor throughout many areas of the United States caused by political decisions. The system is being set up to fail. This problem this time is not…

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FERC Directs NERC to Tighten Bulk Electric System Cybersecurity

FERC Directs NERC to Tighten Bulk Electric System Cybersecurity January 26, 2023 On January 19, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a Final Rule directing the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to file for FERC review new or modified Reliability Standards that require internal network security monitoring (INSM) within…

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Senators explore power supply failure — especially natural gas — during Christmas storm

Senators explore power supply failure – especially natural gas – during Christmas storm January 26, 2023 The winter storm of Dec. 23-25 produced an unexpectedly high demand for electricity. Despite the surprise, PJM, the 13-state power grid organization — thought it had plenty of reserve on hand. But the power…

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

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

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…

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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

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…

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US FERC to act on backstop transmission siting, long-running gas pipeline disputes

US FERC to act on backstop transmission siting, long-running gas pipeline disputes 12 Dec 2022 The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is poised to act on transmission siting, key pipeline rate disputes, and two important natural gas pipeline certificates at its last meeting of the year Dec. 15, potentially Democrat…

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

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

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…

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NYISO reports sufficient electricity supplies expected to meet winter demands

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…

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

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

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…

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ComEd to file multi-year grid plan, rate plan

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…

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AEP, Liberty reach amended agreement

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,…

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3 issues to watch as heat strains the grid

3 issues to watch as heat strains the grid 08/01/2022 From the Pacific Northwest to coastal New England, millions of Americans have endured sweltering temperatures in recent weeks, driving record energy consumption and offering a snapshot of emerging risks facing the nation’s power system. While grid operators say the electricity…

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North American power grid faced extreme weather and cyberattack risks in 2021

North American power grid faced extreme weather and cyberattack risks in 2021

North American power grid faced extreme weather and cyberattack risks in 2021 Energize Weekly, July 27, 2022 The North American electric grid faced unprecedented challenges from severe weather, cyberattacks and problems with natural gas supplies in 2021, but with except one exception – in Texas – utilities and grid operators…

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Fossil-fuel electric generation challenged in Texas heat wave, raising reliability questions

Fossil-fuel electric generation challenged in Texas heat wave, raising reliability questions

Fossil-fuel electric generation challenged in Texas heat wave, raising reliability questions Energize Weekly, July 6, 2022 An early season heat wave in May tested the Texas grid, raising questions about the relation of baseload, fossil-fuel generation to wind and solar, according to analysis by the Institute for Energy Economics and…

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Ameren aims to charge customers for closure of Rush Island coal plant

Ameren aims to charge customers for closure of Rush Island coal plant June 21, 2022 The costs to close the region’s second-largest power plant, after decades of Clean Air Act violations, are rising. Electric utility Ameren has proposed the construction of $244 million in electric lines and other upgrades before…

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Indiana utilities brace for possible rolling blackouts, Kentucky meeting demands

Indiana utilities brace for possible rolling blackouts, Kentucky meeting demands Jun 13, 2022 Summer is kicking in with heat and humidity this week, and that puts a strain on the power grid to keep up with demand. Parts of Indiana could face rolling blackouts, according to the Midcontinent Independent System…

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FERC chair on grid: ‘The old way doesn’t work’

FERC chair on grid: ‘The old way doesn’t work’ 05/20/2022 The growing threat of power outages fueled by extreme weather calls for new approaches to grid oversight, the head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said yesterday, adding that utilities and grid operators should “think differently.” Read more

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Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack: Lessons for Technologists

Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack: Lessons for Technologists May 23, 2022 While technologists have always understood the damage that ransomware could do to an organization’s infrastructure and data, the May 2021 attack that targeted Colonial Pipeline IT infrastructure changed the game for good. Read more

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Nuclear plant owner Talen Energy Supply files for bankruptcy

Nuclear plant owner Talen Energy Supply files for bankruptcy May 11, 2022 Talen Energy Supply, the owner of the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Salem Twp., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Woodlands, Texas-based company, a unit of Talen Energy Corp. which runs 18 power generation facilities, filed for…

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California Power Officials Warn of Power Shortfalls This Summer Amid Increasing Strain from Climate Change

California Power Officials Warn of Power Shortfalls This Summer Amid Increasing Strain from Climate Change May 6, 2022 California power regulators are warning of power shortages and possible blackouts this summer as the state’s electrical grid faces increasing strain from drought and extreme heat. “We know reliability is going to…

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U.S. and European EV sales climb but more chargers will be needed to sustain growth

U.S. and European EV sales climb but more chargers will be needed to sustain growth

U.S. and European EV sales climb but more chargers will be needed to sustain growth Energize Weekly, May 11, 2022 Electric vehicle (EV) sales in both the U.S. and Europe are posting strong gains, but to reach the market penetration governments are targeting – the Biden administration goal is 50…

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We Energies seeks rate plan to fund clean energy investments, grid hardening

We Energies seeks rate plan to fund clean energy investments, grid hardening May 02, 2022 We Energies proposed a new rate plan to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) last week, potentially raising customers’ rates for electricity, natural gas and steam next year to pay for a large-scale clean…

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New clean generation technology is needed for the West to achieve 100 percent clean electricity

New clean generation technology is needed for the West to achieve 100 percent clean electricity

New clean generation technology is needed for the West to achieve 100 percent clean electricity Energize Weekly, February 16, 2022 The West could run on 90 percent clean electricity by 2040 with existing renewable generation and storage, but to get to 100 percent, new, clean generation filling the same baseload…

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Can A Smarter Grid Jolt The U.S. Economy And Circumvent Climate Change?

Can A Smarter Grid Jolt The U.S. Economy And Circumvent Climate Change? Feb 1, 2022 The electric grid is evolving and adapting to the 21st Century market place. America’s brain trust is developing bells and whistles to increase reliability and to maintain affordability — in the context of bolstering the…

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PJM seeks reserve market rehearing from FERC, proposes capacity auction schedule

PJM seeks reserve market rehearing from FERC, proposes capacity auction schedule 24 Jan 2022 PJM Interconnection has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a rehearing in its reserve market proceeding because a recent FERC order departs, without adequate explanation, from prior findings that resource procurement costs to alleviate power…

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FERC proposes new rule to strengthen systems against cyberattacks

FERC proposes new rule to strengthen systems against cyberattacks January 24, 2022 The Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) has released a proposal that would require internal network security monitoring (INSM) for high- and medium-impact bulk electric grid cyber systems. Read more

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ERCOT says generation, transmission ready for winter following on-site inspections

ERCOT says generation, transmission ready for winter following on-site inspections 30 Dec 2021 Generation and transmission facilities in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas market are ready for winter, ERCOT said Dec. 30 after inspecting more than 300 generation units and 22 transmission facilities representing 85% of the megawatt hours…

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Exelon separation moves forward, with New York Public Service Commission approval

Exelon separation moves forward, with New York Public Service Commission approval December 20, 2021 Exelon Corp. announces that the New York State Public Service Commission has approved a unanimous settlement agreement that allows Exelon to move forward with its plan to separate into two companies in the first quarter of 2022. Read…

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Operator warns New England power system at ‘heightened risk’ heading into winter

Operator warns New England power system at ‘heightened risk’ heading into winter Dec 11, 2021 New England’s electric grid operator warned Monday that power outages are possible if an extended cold snap this winter grips the region and fuel supplies are pinched as demand spikes. ISO-New England said natural gas…

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ERCOT inspecting more than 300 Power Plants to ensure Texas Power Grid is ready for winter

ERCOT inspecting more than 300 Power Plants to ensure Texas Power Grid is ready for winter Dec 6, 2021 The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has announced that by the end of this month, they’ll have inspected more than 300 power generation plants. Including natural gas, nuclear, coal, wind…

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New York State OKs transmission projects to bring clean energy to New York City

New York State OKs transmission projects to bring clean energy to New York City

New York State OKs transmission projects to bring clean energy to New York City Energize Weekly, December 8, 2021 Setting the stage for its biggest transmission initiative in 50 years, New York State has struck agreements for two high-tension lines to bring more than 2 gigawatts of wind, solar and…

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U.S. grid ready for winter, NERC says, New England and California may face fuel pinch

U.S. grid ready for winter, NERC says, New England and California may face fuel pinch

U.S. grid ready for winter, NERC says, New England and California may face fuel pinch Energize Weekly, December 1, 2021 Winter electricity-generating resources across the North American grid are forecast to be adequate, although weather and fuel access issues may create challenges for New England, California and parts of Canada.…

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Northeast grid rules could make or break clean energy

Northeast grid rules could make or break clean energy 11/22/2021 New England’s grid operator is considering an overhaul of regional power market rules that could determine whether Northeast states meet their clean energy goals, creating uncertainty in a region pivotal for reaching President Biden’s push for 100 percent clean electricity.…

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PJM members flag power price formation, transmission planning concerns to board

PJM members flag power price formation, transmission planning concerns to board 22 Nov 2021 PJM Interconnection’s management board recently met with representatives of each of the five power industry sectors who raised concerns regarding energy market rule changes increasing power prices, resource adequacy, transmission regulation, and other issues. Read more

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Infrastructure bill offers a $30 billion down payment on upgrading the nation’s grid

Infrastructure bill offers a $30 billion down payment on upgrading the nation’s grid

Infrastructure bill offers a $30 billion down payment on upgrading the nation’s grid Energize Weekly, November 17, 2021 The federal infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden this week, includes a nearly $30 billion down payment in grants and loan authorities to upgrade the nation’s aging and challenged electric grid.…

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Western U.S. could reap $2 billion in benefits from a regional electricity market

Western U.S. could reap $2 billion in benefits from a regional electricity market

Western U.S. could reap $2 billion in benefits from a regional electricity market Energize Weekly, October 27, 2021 The American West – one of only two regions in the country without a regional electricity market – could see benefits of as much as $2 billion a year by creating a…

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Consultants offer ways to improve US power transmission planning in FERC comments

Consultants offer ways to improve US power transmission planning in FERC comments 11 Oct 2021 Stakeholders and power market participants have begun submitting responses to federal regulators regarding an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on transmission improvements, with one group contending transportation and space heating electrification will increase power demand…

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CMP, public power backers locked in war to weaken each other’s 2022 referendum bids

CMP, public power backers locked in war to weaken each other’s 2022 referendum bids October 11, 2021 Supporters and opponents of establishing a consumer-owned utility in Maine both made changes to their ballot initiatives in the past week in attempts to render the other ineffective ahead of a possible referendum fight…

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PPL Corporation receives FERC approval to acquire The Narragansett Electric Company

PPL Corporation receives FERC approval to acquire The Narragansett Electric Company September 23, 2021 PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) today received unanimous approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to acquire The Narragansett Electric Company from National Grid USA. Read more

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Solar could power 45 percent of U.S. electricity by 2050 with multi-billion dollar investment, DOE says

Solar could power 45 percent of U.S. electricity by 2050 with multi-billion dollar investment, DOE says

Solar could power 45 percent of U.S. electricity by 2050 with multi-billion dollar investment, DOE says Energize Weekly, September 15, 2021 The U.S. could get 40 percent of its electricity from solar installations by 2035 and 45 percent by 2050 – through $225 to $560 billion in the power grid…

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Hurricane Ida damage to Louisiana’s power grid expected to take weeks to repair

Hurricane Ida damage to Louisiana’s power grid expected to take weeks to repair August 30, 2021 Rescuers set out in hundreds of boats and helicopters to reach people trapped by floodwaters Monday, and utility repair crews rushed in, after a furious Hurricane Ida swamped the Louisiana coast and ravaged the…

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