Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 21, 2023

Last spring, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) , which operates the electricity grid serving 45 million people across the central United States, found o ut it was at a higher risk of power outages than it believed. The result, as I explain below, was skyrocketing electricity bills for thousands of people.

Electricity 228

Electricity Clean Energy Natural Resources 2022 228

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 13, 2024

On March 7, the Independent Fiscal Office issued its latest Pennsylvania Electricity update that reports the electricity grid is dependent on one fuel for 59% of the state’s electricity generation-- natural gas-- followed by nuclear power-- 31.9%, coal-- 5.4% In 2010, the mix was 48% coal, 34% nuclear, 15% gas and 2% renewables.

Electricity 102

Electricity Natural Gas Renewable Energy Nuclear Power 102

Environmental News Bits

APRIL 15, 2022

As the United States enters a “critical decade” in the fight against climate change, the need for rapid renewable energy deployment requires reassessing existing laws governing electricity generation and transmission projects, argues Uma Outka in a recent article.

Renewable Energy 81

Renewable Energy Climate Change Law Government 81

Law and Environment

NOVEMBER 3, 2022

The amendments are intended to accelerate progress towards decarbonization of the electricity sector and further ensure the state meets its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The CES, first enacted in 2017, requires retail sellers of electricity in Massachusetts to provide increasing quantities of clean electricity over time.

Clean Energy 130

Clean Energy Electricity Renewable Energy 2030 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 22, 2022

Minnesotans are facing concurrent crises of climate change, high energy prices and inflation, and the inequitable public health impacts of fossil fuel air pollution. Renewable energy will help with all of that—but we need a grid that is designed for wind and solar instead of having to rely on expensive coal and gas plants.

Renewable Energy 349

Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Solar Power Electricity 349

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 10, 2023

electricity to about one-fifth today. The decline probably wasn’t due to environmental regulation. In fact, there was a surge in construction of new coal plants after 1970 due to high electricity demand. Regulation may have made a difference, since coal requires more extensive pollution controls than competing fuels.

2012 236

2012 2008 Clean Air Act Renewable Energy 236

Environmental Leader

JULY 16, 2021

Hawaiian Electric, the state’s largest utility, has adopted a new Performance Based Regulation (PBR) Framework based on a recent order from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approving a portfolio of new Performance Incentive Mechanisms (PIMs), Scorecards, and Reported Metrics. Read more ». Read more ».

Regulations 120

Regulations Electricity Renewable Energy 120

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 5, 2022

Reliance on fossil natural gas and the slow adoption of renewable energy contributed to electricity bills in New England in the first nine months of 2022 that are $5 billion higher than the prior year. Renewable energy policies are how we manage risks. Prices elsewhere in the country doubled.

Natural Gas 205

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Electricity 2022 205

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 12, 2023

What happens when promise of electricity reliability fails in bad weather? We know that consumers pay for electricity reliability and bear the cost when supplies are tight. Three decades of deregulation allowed private companies, as opposed to public regulators, to make critical decisions about reliability.

Fossil Fuels 180

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity Regulations 180

Legal Planet

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

The Golden State has adopted a slew of climate change laws over the past twenty years, and an even greater number of regulations. California established first renewable portfolio standard (20% from renewables by 2010). Effectively prohibited California utilities from using electricity from coal-fired generation.

Carbon Emissions 195

Carbon Emissions Renewable Energy Climate Change 2002 195

Environmental Leader

JULY 16, 2021

Hawaiian Electric, the state’s largest utility, has adopted a new Performance Based Regulation (PBR) Framework based on a recent order from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approving a portfolio of new Performance Incentive Mechanisms (PIMs), Scorecards, and Reported Metrics. Read more ». Read more ».

Regulations 94

Regulations Electricity Renewable Energy 94

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 17, 2023

States should be heard on transmission When regulators make policy, utilities listen. States’ roles in electricity decisions stem from their authority over public health, safety, and consumer protection. State regulators can call meetings for utilities to work on the modernization and decarbonization of the grid.

Clean Energy 233

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Regulations 233

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 18, 2024

By John Quigley, Kleinman Center For Energy Policy , University of Pennsylvania The challenge of decarbonizing the electricity grid while ensuring its reliability is acute in Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth is the nation’s third-largest electricity producer , and exports more of it than any other state.

Electricity 111

Electricity Natural Gas Clean Energy Fossil Fuels 111

Law Columbia

JUNE 27, 2023

Furthermore, the IRA’s tax credits – and direct pay – are in the aggregate uncapped, so the dollars opened up by the IRA are limited only by the ambition of renewable energy developers and investors, including cities. Project Complexity : Renewable energy project structures vary in their complexity.

Regulations 106

Regulations Renewable Energy Government Clean Energy 106

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 28, 2022

Although the nuclear bailout was repealed and refunded in 2021, some of the law’s other egregious provisions requiring ratepayers across the state to subsidize money-losing coal plants and gutting renewable energy and energy efficiency standards are still in place today. Ohio regulators need to act. Since H.B.

Renewable Energy 320

Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Clean Energy 320

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 12, 2023

It clarifies an important procedural issue applying to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). And it upholds an important policy shift regarding renewable energy by the country’s largest grid operator. These are called “energy markets.” A case decided by the Third Circuit last week is important for two reasons.

Renewable Energy 192

Renewable Energy Electricity Law 2019 192

Legal Planet

APRIL 3, 2023

EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA) A. Energy efficiency standards for new appliances and lighting sources. Nuclear power regulation D. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules bearing on electricity transmission E. FERC pipeline regulation (natural gas and hydrogen).

Law 201

Law Endangered Species Act Clean Air Act Biofuels 201

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 22, 2022

Lithium-ion batteries are essential for decarbonizing transportation through electric vehicles and building a resilient, renewable energy grid through energy storage batteries. Nearly every part of a renewable energy grid can be circular, with all outputs circulating back as inputs in a regenerative cycle.

Recycling 190

Recycling Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity 190

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 2, 2023

At the global level, however, Germany has its own claim to a leadership role, particularly in its early support for renewable energy. Although its track record has some complexities, this timeline of German actions shows just its early and sustained attention to clean energy policy: 1990. Renewables are 6% of power.

Nuclear Power 233

Nuclear Power Renewable Energy Carbon Emissions 2030 233

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

There are a lot of moving pieces, but it starts with decarbonizing the electricity sector and powering the economy with a diverse combination of clean energy resources—primarily wind, solar, and battery storage—connected with a modernized bulk transmission system that can reliably deliver electricity to consumers all 8,760 hours of the year.

Clean Energy 285

Clean Energy Renewable Energy Electricity 2030 285

PA Environment Daily

NOVEMBER 29, 2023

On November 29, the Public Utility Commission again alerted consumers that many natural gas and electric utilities are adjusting their energy supply prices on December 1 and reminding households to understand those changes, explore options to manage winter energy bills, and #CallUtilitiesNow to discuss affordability programs.

Natural Gas 94

Natural Gas Electricity Renewable Energy Regulations 94

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2022

They just released their 2022 “Annual Energy Outlook” (AEO), which is a big deal: it tells us where electricity is headed over the next 30 years. It’s widely viewed as the “gold standard” for energy projections, even though there’s much debate in the energy community about the validity of the assumptions behind these projections.

Natural Gas 264

Natural Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change Electricity 264

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 7, 2022

On March 7, the Public Utility Commission continues encouraging consumers to monitor energy costs and explore ways to conserve and save – including comparing prices for electric generation and evaluating competitive supplier offers. The PTC averages 40% to 60% of the customer’s total utility bill.

Electricity 76

Electricity Natural Gas Renewable Energy Conservation 76

PA Environment Daily

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

This action follows the review and analysis of two rounds of public comment on matters related to electric storage, received from more than 30 organizations, advocates, utilities, state agencies, customer groups, and other interested parties. The PUC voted 5-0 to publish the proposed policy statement for public comment.

Electricity 93

Electricity Natural Gas Renewable Energy 2020 93

Law and Environment

JULY 22, 2021

These efforts mark an emerging trend of legislative bodies directing utility regulators to help advance climate policies. This enhanced vision of utility regulation gives me hope in the fight against climate change. Public Utility Regulatory Authority decisions are statutorily guided by the state’s energy strategy.

Regulations 130

Regulations Climate Change Greenhouse 2018 130

Renewable + Law

MAY 19, 2023

During its May 18 voting meeting, the California Public Utilities Commission (Commission) voted to open a new rulemaking proceeding that will consider improvements to its permitting procedures for electric infrastructure projects that fall under its jurisdiction.

Electricity 52

Electricity Renewable Energy Regulations Government 52

Renewable + Law

MAY 18, 2023

During its May 18 voting meeting, the California Public Utilities Commission (Commission) voted to open a new rulemaking proceeding that will consider improvements to its permitting procedures for electric infrastructure projects that fall under its jurisdiction.

Electricity 52

Electricity Renewable Energy Regulations Government 52

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is considering amendments to its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) regulation, but indicated they have no plans to address the problems caused by counter-productive subsidies for manure biomethane. California’s transportation fuel policy is knee deep in cow poop, and it’s not a good look.

Fossil Fuels 262

Fossil Fuels Regulations Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 262

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 3, 2023

Solutions considered in isolation can often appear to yield steady progress in curbing carbon pollution and yet, when those same solutions are considered within the full context of the energy transition, their actual contributions can turn out to be insufficient or, worse, entirely misaligned, resulting in a system-wide increase in emissions.

Clean Energy 231

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Electricity Renewable Energy 231

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 18, 2022

Right now, states and the federal government have a choice that will define our country’s options for clean energy and planning the power grid for the challenges ahead. This choice reveals how the electric grid, and the work to cut global warming emissions, are shaped by our political structures. Shared Duties, with Leadership.

Electricity 252

Electricity Renewable Energy Clean Energy Government 252

Law and Environment

APRIL 21, 2022

School buses and MBTA buses will be all electric by 2030. Massachusetts will have a 100% “clean electricity supply by 2030.” There is also a significant commitment to new levels of various kinds of carbon-free electrical generation, including: More than 10,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035. More than 10,000 MW of solar by 2030.

2030 130

2030 Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Regulations 130

E2 Law Blog

JANUARY 5, 2024

Department of the Treasury (Treasury) issued proposed regulations , published in the Federal Register Dec. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and U.S. 26, 2023, applicable to clean hydrogen production facilities.

Regulations 52

Regulations Greenhouse Electricity 2023 52

A Greener Life

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

Photo credit: Clean Energy Regulator. By Anders Lorenzen The penetration of renewable energy in Australia ‘s main electricity grid has never been higher. NEM renewable energy share on the 20th of September 2023. Photo credit: GPE NEWLog-Lite. at 11.45am on Wednesday. between 11am and 11.30am.

Renewable Energy 59

Renewable Energy Electricity Clean Energy Regulations 59

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 28, 2023

On August 23, the PJM Interconnection Critical Issue Fast Path Resource Adequacy stakeholder group heard testimony and suggestions on the issue of making electricity market changes to address nonperformance of natural gas and other generators during emergencies and events like Winter Storm Elliot in December. Read more here. Read more here.

Natural Gas 81

Natural Gas Electricity Clean Energy Renewable Energy 81

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 6, 2021

This 2015 regulation aimed to move state power grids away from coal and toward renewable energy. Yet the Supreme Court is now set to address numerous challenges to this zombie regulation. The reason why the plan has no further practical relevance is a rapid shift in the mix of sources for generating electricity.

2015 238

2015 Carbon Emissions 2030 2005 238

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 22, 2023

It clarifies a puzzling procedural rule applying to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). And it upholds an important policy shift regarding renewable energy by the country’s largest grid operator. These are called “energy markets.” A case decided by the Third Circuit on Dec. 1 is important for two reasons.

Renewable Energy 130

Renewable Energy Law Electricity 2019 130

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 13, 2024

Under PACER, 70% of the revenue will be directed back to Pennsylvania residents as a rebate on their electric bill – more than any other cap-and-invest program in the nation – resulting in long-term, price relief on energy costs. The benefits of PACER will be passed on directly to Pennsylvania consumers.

Electricity 112

Electricity Natural Gas Clean Energy Renewable Energy 112