Exelon

People (March 2015)

Exelon Generation named Michael J. Pacilio executive v.p. and COO; FirstEnergy made a series of leadership changes involving David J. Karafa, Steven E. Strah, Linda L. Moss, Richard S. Sweeney and Edward L. Shuttleworth; CenterPoint Energy appointed William D. Rogers, executive v.p. of finance and accounting; leadership changes at Black Hills Corporation, Consumers Energy and Duke Energy; California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) named Timothy Sullivan as interim executive director; and others; and others.

Digest (January 2015)

FERC approved the proposed merger of Exelon and Pepco Holdings; SunEdison and TerraForm Power agreed to acquire First Wind for $2.4 billion; NorthWestern Energy closed on its $900 million purchase of facilities from PPL Montana; Siemens Energy Management partnered with Microsoft and FuelCell Energy to develop the nation's first zero-carbon, waste-to-energy data center; ABB commissioned a power solution that will control power flow and enhance grid stability in Michigan; AES Southland was awarded a 20-year PPA by Southern California Edison to provide 100 MW of interconnected battery-based energy storage; Renewable Energy Systems Americas developed what will be the largest, fully commercial energy storage projects in North America; Westinghouse Electric, China's State Nuclear Power Technology Corp., and Electricity Generation Co. agreed to develop and construct a four-unit nuclear power plant site in the Republic of Turkey. And others ...

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.

Transactions (January 2015)

SunEdison and TerraForm Power agreed to acquire First Wind for $2.4 billion; Emera will sell its 49% interest in Northeast Wind Partners II to First Wind for $223.3 million; Calpine completed its acquisition of Fore River Energy Center from Exelon for $530 million; NorthWestern Energy closed its $900 million purchase of 11 hydroelectric facilities and one storage reservoir from PPL Montana; juwi solar sold ownership interests in a 50-MW solar facility to Dominion; Dominion acquired a 20-MW solar facility from Canadian Solar.

Public Power Road Show

Sue Kelly’s ‘world tour’ brings APPA home.

There’s no one in the energy industry – and I mean absolutely no one – who is more on-message than Sue Kelly, now winding up her first year as CEO of the American Public Power Association.

Digest (December 2014)

NRG Energy and MGM Resorts International completed installation of the world's largest rooftop solar array on a convention center;

Southern California Edison on November 5 announced the largest purchase of grid-connected energy storage in U.S. history. NRG Energy acquired Pure Energies Group; Duke Energy Progress filed with FERC for approval to purchase $1.2 billion in generating assets;

The U.S. Department of Energy authorized Bechtel to resume engineering work at a facility that will treat some of the nation's liquid radioactive waste; Burns & McDonnell plans to develop a grid stability awareness system;

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the launch of New York's first energy management network operations center. And others...

Planning vs. Partiality

A case study from PJM on competitive procurement of regional transmission under FERC Order 1000.

What happens to FERC Order 1000, and its vaunted quest for fairness and transparency, when regional grid planners ask for competitive bids to solve a pressing transmission need, but then modify some of the project proposals, unilaterally, in an honest effort to improve them?

People (December 2014)

ITC Holdings named Krista Tanner as v.p. of ITC Holdings Corp. and president of ITC Midwest; Dean Seavers will be U.S. president and executive director at National Grid; CenterPoint Energy promoted three company executives; Darren Olagues, is expected to become president and CEO of Cleco; American DG Energy appointed Benjamin M. Locke as co-CEO; Ronald J. Tanski, president and CEO of National Fuel Gas Company, was elected chairman of the board of directors at Interstate Natural Gas Association of America; Appointment changes at several associations, and others...

A Merger Hits Home

Some thoughts on Exelon’s takeover of Pepco.

“Mr. Rigby says there’s no conflict between shareholders wanting the highest price and ratepayers wanting the best service … His view is illogical.” – Scott Hempling, attorney, in opposition.

FERC Approves Merger of Exelon and Pepco Holdings

FERC approved the proposed merger of Exelon and Pepco Holdings. The companies announced their proposed merger on April 30. The combination of the companies will bring together Exelon's three electric and gas utilities - BGE, ComEd and PECO - and Pepco Holdings' (PHI's) three electric and gas utilities - Atlantic City Electric, Delmarva Power and Pepco - to create the leading mid-Atlantic electric and gas utility.