Rooftop Solar 2.0
Hawaii and California grapple over net energy metering.
While the underlying questions in each state regarding net energy metering are much the same, the two PUC's will approach the issue from different perspectives.
Commission Watch
How to Talk to Regulators
Why some proceedings blow up, while others reach consensus.
The core of a good regulatory proceeding is a conversation.
Commenting on Carbon
State PUCs take on EPA and its Clean Power Plan.
Everything about the Clean Power Plan seems surreal. States complain of unfair treatment. Regulators read the proposed rule and sound warnings of a coming apocalypse.
Regulatory Roundup
2004 FERC roundup: Path 15 Upgrade; Gas Bypass Pipeline; Power Line Communications; Gen Station Power Needs; ISO Retail Service; Renewable Energy Portfolios; Gas Supply Risk; Fuel Cost Hedging; Utility Supply Solicitations; Provider of Last Resort; Coal Seam Gas; Deceptive Marketing Practices; Renewable Portfolio Standards.
Risk Holds Sway
Interest rates not always controlling for return on equity.
(November 2014) Our annual survey of rates of return on common equity authorized by state public utility commissions in recent rate cases for electric and gas retail distribution utilities.
FERC's Folly
Remand Order 745, fix the compensation scheme, but retain federal jurisdiction.
Why the D.C. Circuit should rehear the appeal of FERC Order 745, and how it should rule.
Enforcement Times Two
FERC and CFTC begin sharing information to target market manipulation in the energy industry.
Closer coordination between FERC and CFTC (and perhaps also with DOJ) will increase enforcement risk for energy industry traders.
The Powhatan Matter
Market manipulation versus the right to make a profit.
Harvard professor Bill Hogan claims FERC is wrong to find market manipulation where traders simply make profits on market defects known to all.
Scare Tactics
New England’s proposed capacity market reform would force generators to ‘Be There or Else.’
Facing worries about resource adequacy, ISO New England proposes changes that would penalize generators that fail to perform when needed -- for any reason. Market players say it can only work if the system operator allows for reasonable exceptions.
Invoice Enclosed
Having lost Entergy to MISO, the Southwest Power Pool seeks its pound of flesh.
Welcome to the age of RTO competition: region vs. region, grid vs. grid. It could well outdo the choice wars between retail energy suppliers that we thought were in our future.