[CEM 1232 / May 17, 2013]

SONGS Restart at 70 Percent Amounts to 'Experiment,' Safety Board Finds

A ruling from the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel adds another obstacle to Southern California Edison's plans to restart Unit 2 of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. The board found that restarting the plant at 70 percent power amounts to a "test or experiment." As such, the restart plan requires a license amendment and opportunity for public hearing, the panel said. Edison said it will shutter SONGS completely if the NRC doesn't approve a restart plan by the end of the year.

Wind Generators Fear Cal-ISO Market Changes

Stakeholders largely support Cal-ISO market reforms such as 15-minute scheduling, though some wind generators argue that renewables contracts could be reopened as a result of the changes-an expensive and risky proposition, they say.

Cal-ISO Questions Whether J.P. Morgan Contracts Comply With FERC Order

Cal-ISO wants FERC to investigate whether energy contracts entered into by a J.P. Morgan Ventures Energy Corp. subsidiary evade a FERC order. The contracts are between subsidiary BE CA LLC, which owns the tolling rights to 12 units at the Alamitos, Huntington Beach and Redondo Beach power plants, and EDF Trading North America and Cargill Power Markets. Meanwhile, a deal approved at the CPUC last week paves the way for a synchronous-condenser conversion project at the Huntington Beach plant.

CEC Wants More Time on Palen; BrightSource Resists

CEC staff has delayed the publication of a preliminary assessment of the Palen Solar Electric Generating System, saying it needs additional time to thoroughly assess the project. Developer BrightSource Energy is seeking a license amendment to convert the not-yet-built project to solar power-tower technology. One of the unresolved issues facing the project is potential impacts to birds and bats from solar flux, or concentrated solar energy. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommended further studies.

Also In California Energy Markets This Week . . .

• Nevada Bill on Coal Power, Regulation Passes Hurdle
• BLM Issues Reworked Proposal for Fracking Rules
• Brown's Revised Budget Dips Into Cap-Trade Revenues
• State Officials See Busy Fire Season Ahead

       ...And Much More!

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