One option to support grid reliability in the coming years is expanding natural gas-fired power plant capacity, while a portion of the state's planned battery energy storage buildout could be deferred to reduce costs, a report from California Public Utilities Commission staff said this month.
Edward Randolph is stepping down as deputy executive director of energy and climate policy at the California Public Utilities Commission, CPUC Public Information Officer Christopher Chow told California Energy Markets in an Oct. 20 phone interview. Randolph joined the CPUC in 2009 and has ov… Read More
The goal of California's new law banning the sale of small, gasoline-powered off-road engines in the Golden State beginning in 2024 is obvious—cleaner air. But the law's significantly disproportionate impact on rural residents and the lawn and garden trade is also obvious. Read More
We are excited to announce a new podcasting collaboration between NewsData, our parent company Pioneer Utility Resources and Clatskanie People's Utility District in Oregon. Read More
With Aliso Canyon natural gas storage at capacity and the Honor Rancho storage facility shut in for maintenance, Southern California Gas Co.'s ability to use storage injections for system balancing is limited, with supply excesses expected into the week of Oct. 25. Read More
One option to support grid reliability in the coming years is expanding natural gas-fired power plant capacity, while a portion of the state's planned battery energy storage buildout could be deferred to reduce costs, a report from California Public Utilities Commission staff said this month. Read More
The California Public Utilities Commission on Oct. 20 ratified Pacific Gas & Electric's 2021 wildfire mitigation plan update after months of review and concerns. Read More
Solar power generation continues to grow on California's electric grid, but solar's total market value has decreased over the past decade, according to a report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Read More
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Oct. 21 approved Southern California Edison's Wholesale Distribution Access Tariff with a lower wires charge for stand-alone energy storage than the utility included in its original 2019 proposal. Read More
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Drought conditions across the Pacific Northwest are expected to improve in the next few weeks as precipitation—both rain and snow—brings much-needed relief, according to the latest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts. Read More
California's electric-grid operator launched a new effort to improve its interconnection process, driven by accelerated buildout of energy resources and the need to relieve a clogged interconnection queue. Read More
San Diego Gas & Electric on Oct. 18 released its annual sustainability strategy update in which the utility described numerous accomplishments within the past year, as well as some new goals and the acceleration of others—all of which should help SDG&E meet its goal of reaching net-z… Read More
As virtual industry conferences, conventions and trade shows become the norm in a world altered by COVID-19, last week's Climate Leadership Conference was an opportunity for energy executives and stakeholders to meet and reexamine the new relationship utility companies will have with an expa… Read More
A series of recently signed contracts will help move West Coast maritime transportation closer to decarbonization. Read More
An Xcel subsidiary serving southeastern New Mexico and West Texas plans to stick to a retirement and conversion schedule for two coal-fired power plants in its portfolio, despite the "irreversible decline" of an aquifer that provides water to one 1,000-MW coal plant as well as farms and comm… Read More
A controversial billion-dollar thermal solar plant in the Nevada desert is back in operation amid continuing litigation and following federal loan defaults, numerous technical problems, a complex bankruptcy and the loss of its contracted customer. Read More
Nevada-based Southwest Gas Holdings is in a fierce battle with billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn, who is publicly protesting Southwest Gas' proposal to acquire Questar Pipeline LLC from Dominion Energy for $1.5 billion in cash and assume $430 million of its debt. Read More
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Oct. 21 said lawmakers are making progress toward agreement on a 10-year budget bill to fund President Joe Biden's climate, health and education proposals. Read More
