When Policy and Practice Don't Match
Opportunities, Challenges for Utilities
New FERC's Unfinished Grid Agenda
Where is the Public Interest?
Debates rage in state houses across the country about subsidizing the weakening nuclear power industry. Not for new nuclear plants, but rather subsidies to prevent the early retirement of existing nuclear power stations.
We sat down with chair Cheryl LaFleur and commissioner Colette Honorable as their extraordinary time as the only members of the FERC continues.
Since early February 2017, FERC has faced an unprecedented freeze of certain major agenda items when one of its three remaining commissioners resigned, leaving just two. The agency usually has five commissioners, and typically needs a quorum of at least three to approve certain projects. FERC has never been in a situation in which it had just two commissioners until this year.
State Priorities vs. Regional Differences
Recently adopted state programs to foster existing nuclear generation are being challenged in the courts for potentially infringing on FERC’s wholesale market jurisdiction. 2017 could prove to be the year when state policy priorities began to elbow aside voluntary regional market constructs.
Transitions are Complex Affairs
It’s tempting to idealize how market forces shape the outcome of energy transitions. The truth is that many factors affect what happens and how fast. Notably, government policies play a greater role in shaping energy than most care to admit.
German Energy Portfolio Grows Smaller
We have something in the U.S. that Germany does not: cheap natural gas. This has made all the difference for America.
Balance and Adaptability are Critical
We Called Them 'Markets.' Now We're Testing Them.