Law & Lawyers

Benefits of Nuclear License Renewal

A Template for Utilities Nationwide

“Earlier this year, Duke Energy reached a significant milestone in its plans to meet the growing energy needs of communities it serves: Oconee Nuclear Station received its subsequently renewed license, enabling its three units to continue generating clean, reliable energy into the 2050s.”

Challenges of Conductor Change

Burns & McDonnell

“The key takeaway is understanding the evolving approach to traditional refurbishment projects. That’s where advanced conductors like ACCC come in. These all-aluminum composite conductors offer higher capacity and performance without requiring changes to the existing line design.”

Takes on Large Load Pricing and Other Regulatory Issues, Part 1

Load Growth Series

These articles are the first two in a series with PUF focusing on load growth as both a challenge and opportunity for the continued evolution of the U.S. power sector. The series will present innovative solutions to meet this new era of load growth in a way that is more resilient, affordable, and clean.

A New Era of Regulatory Innovation

Advanced Energy United, SEPA, RMI

“This article presents a high-level overview of emerging regulatory innovations, focusing on the intersection between tariff design and integrated planning. Other articles in this series will present views on additional innovations underway as load growth reshapes the electricity landscape.”

Galloping on Transmission Lines

Burns & McDonnell

“Galloping is a type of low-frequency, high-amplitude vibration in power lines. It’s when the wires start bouncing up and down, sometimes to an extreme degree. It’s a big deal because it can cause serious damage.”

Large Load Pricing: Another Take on a Critical Topic

Duke Energy

“While some tweaks are necessary due to the present speed and concentration of load additions, wholesale jettisoning of tested practices likely brings many unintended consequences even – or perhaps, especially – for those customers regulators are seeking to protect.”

FERC Order 1920

Burns & McDonnell

“Order 1920 in some ways may sound drastic in terms of the magnitude of change. But it provides an opportunity to evaluate transmission more creatively, more holistically.”

Cost Allocation and Pursuit of Fairness, Part 1

Behind the Customer Bill

“The choice of cost allocation method is both a key factor in shaping outcomes and an exercise in judgment. No single standard defines what makes one approach reasonable and another flawed.”

Concrete Poles for Transmission Lines

Burns & McDonnell

“On a steel or wood pole, a specialized coating or a sleeve is put on below grade to protect from corrosion. But with concrete, it comes out of the mold ready to set in a corrosive environment.”