News

Federal Energy Regulator Kicks Off Conversation on How Carbon Pricing in Competitive Power Markets Could Spur Cost-Effective Emissions Reductions 

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2020 – The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Wednesday seized a timely opportunity to facilitate a conversation on how competitive power markets can cost-effectively achieve carbon emissions reduction goals, says the Carbon Price Coalition, a diverse group of power generators, trade associations and think tank experts that in April called on FERC to explore the issue.

New Project Media covered the reliability of the Texas grid during the summer months, quoting TAEBA's Suzanne Bertin. Read excerpts below and the entire New Project Media piece here (sub. req.). 

As Texas begins a summer season that has already seen temperatures rise into triple digits, some analysts, business owners and residents across the state have become increasingly concerned about the grid operators at ERCOT’s ability to cope with a projected record high peak demand in August following the COVID-related slowdowns that have affected energy projects under construction across the state...

Greentech Media covered how PG&E could recover from bankruptcy, quoting AEE's Amisha Rai. Read excerpts below and the entire GTM piece here.

PG&E faces a long and difficult road ahead. The San Francisco-based utility is emerging from bankruptcy with a massive debt load that could make it harder to raise the tens of billions of dollars of investment needed to prevent its power grid from causing more devastating wildfires. It’s struggling to find cost-effective ways to protect millions of customers from fire-prevention blackouts that may need to continue for years...

E&E News covered the appointment of experienced FERC and Hill senior staffer Jehmal Hudson as Virginia SCC commissioner by Gov. Ralph Northam, quoting Virginia AEE's Harry Godfrey. Read excerpts below and the entire E&E News piece here (sub. req.). 

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) has appointed longtime Federal Energy Regulatory Commission official and ex-congressional lawyer Jehmal Hudson to the state's top regulatory body. Hudson is slated to replace Patricia West, whose term on the State Corporation Commission expired four months ago.  

AEE applauds Gov. DeSantis, Sen. Lee, and Rep. Ingoglia for leadership and vision in ensuring Florida is prepared for the growing EV market and economic growth opportunities 

TALLAHASSEE, June 9, 2020 — Today, Advanced Energy Economy reacted to Governor Ron DeSantis signing into law SB 7018*, a bill that directs the Florida Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Florida Public Service Commission, Office of Energy, and relevant stakeholders, to develop a plan for electric vehicle infrastructure in Florida. 

Hudson brings deep knowledge, experience and perspective on energy issues and markets from his roles at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and in the U.S. Congress

RICHMOND, June 9, 2020 — Today, business group Virginia Advanced Energy Economy (Virginia AEE) leader Harry Godfrey applauded the appointment of Jehmal Hudson by Governor Northam as commissioner of the State Corporation Commission.

Utility Dive covered a new UC Berkeley report concluding the U.S. could switch to 90% renewable energy by 2035, and create half a million jobs, referencing similar arguments that AEE and others delivered to Calif. leaders. Read excerpts below and the entire UD piece here. 

The U.S. can deliver 90% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2035, according to a new report from the University of California, Berkeley, and experts say accelerating clean energy deployments could also play an important role in the country's economic recovery. Building out renewables to achieve this target will add more than 500,000 jobs per year as well as $1.7 trillion in investments into the economy, without raising customer bills, the report found...

FLAPOL covered Fla. Governor DeSantis signing SB 7018 that calls for a study of the state’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure, quoting AEE's Dylan Reed. Read excerpts below and the entire FLAPOL piece here.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Tuesday launching a study of the state’s electric vehicle charging grid and preparing staging areas for emergency response along Florida’s turnpike system. That measure (SB 7018) would also add a “shot clock” for utility infrastructure permits, and facilitate utilities to cross rural land while protecting the environment... 

pv magazine covered First Solar's request that FERC consider carbon pricing and hold a technical conference or workshop, noting AEE made same request with stakeholder group. Read excerpts below and the entire pv magazine piece here. 

First Solar has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to convene a technical conference or workshop on carbon pricing of electricity in wholesale energy markets. First Solar’s request is in support of a petition, submitted by stakeholders including the American Council on Renewable Energy and Advanced Energy Economy, asking FERC to convene a carbon pricing discussion...

E&E News covered the challenges for states considering leaving PJM, quoting AEE's Jeff Dennis. Read excerpts below and the entire E&E News piece here (sub. req.). 

States looking to escape a regional power market before federal rule changes take effect have only one way out. The exit ramp is complex and untested. Even its name is forbidding: the fixed resource requirement, or FRR. Exiting the PJM Interconnection capacity market, the nation's largest, won't be easy, but analysts say it could give states the flexibility they need to duck the rule they say would prevent them from hitting their ambitious clean energy targets. So the FRR is suddenly a hot ticket.