The U.S. Department of Energy awarded a three-year grant to the Electric Power Research Institute to develop a new, energy-efficient hybrid heat-pump system for residential and commercial buildings, EPRI said Dec. 20. Oak Ridge National Laboratory will work with EPRI on the project, which ai… Read MoreQuick Bites: Energy News Roundup
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To our valued readers: Once again, the California Energy Markets/Clearing Up staff put on our stocking caps, had a sip of eggnog, grabbed the quill pen and sat down to write your favorite energy-related carols! Enjoy! Read MoreHappy Holidays From the California Energy Markets/Clearing Up Staff!
Active storms expected across much of the western U.S. over the holiday weekend and into the following week, along with natural gas transmission constrictions, pushed energy prices higher. Read MorePotential for Snowy Holiday Elevates Western Energy Prices
California's peak electricity load is projected to grow each year through 2035 and to shift to later hours in the evening, when less solar power is being generated in the state. Read MorePeak Electricity Load Growing in California and Shifting to Darker Hours
The California Independent System Operator made strides this year in integrating new battery storage and increasing regional coordination, although there were challenges including near blackouts on July 9, its CEO said. Read MoreCAISO CEO Describes 2021 Challenges, Accomplishments; Board Approves Budget
The California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously at its Dec. 16 meeting to again extend its investigation into a major gas leak at Southern California Gas Co.'s Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility that occurred about six years ago. Read MoreCPUC Extends Aliso Canyon Investigation as Saga Continues
In the latest Energy West podcast, Clearing Up's Dan Catchpole and California Energy Markets' Jason Fordney talk about obstacles to building offshore wind in California waters, interconnection delays across the country, Washington delaying new building codes in the wake of the 9th Circuit's Berkeley decision, PacifiCorp booking a $120 million first-quarter loss due to the 2020 Labor Day weekend wildfires, and more.
We want to hear from you on energy issues and to share your thoughts with our readership. Read moreVoices From Behind the Meter
The year 2021 was another eventful one in the Golden State, as state regulators scrambled to bring new resources on line to meet summer reliability needs and backup diesel generation proliferated, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area. These stories topped the list compiled by California … Read MoreEmergency Procurement, Backup Diesel, All-Electric Mandate Top Stories of 2021
Reliability assessments released Dec. 20 from both the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council show an increased probability that the Pacific Northwest and California will face energy shortfalls, especially during summer evenings as so… Read MoreNERC, WECC Reports Raise Concerns About Western Energy Shortfalls, Resource Adequacy
Continuing precipitation across the western U.S. has begun to gradually decrease the drought severity levels in the region, particularly in California and the Pacific Northwest. Read MorePersistent Precipitation Dampens Drought Severity Levels in Some Areas
Attorneys with the United States government this month said that Pacific Gas & Electric representatives should provide more information to the public about the apparently slow pace of certain aspects of the utility's wildfire mitigation work. Read MoreU.S. Attorneys Say PG&E Should Provide Wildfire Work Data to Public
The Arizona Corporation Commission at meetings Dec. 15 and 16 joined neighboring states in adopting a transportation-electrification plan that experts estimate will provide tens of billions of dollars in benefits to Arizonans by 2040 due to downward rate pressure, reduced pollution and impro… Read MoreACC Approves Transportation-Electrification Plan
Public Service Company of New Mexico on Dec. 22 filed to the New Mexico Supreme Court an appeal of a Dec. 15 decision of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission to deny the utility's application to exit its 200-MW stake in the 1,540-MW coal-fired Four Corners Power Plant in the northwest… Read MorePNM Appeals Regulatory Rejection of Four Corners Abandonment
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management on Dec. 20 launched its largest solicitation for utility-scale energy development on public land since it first designated solar energy zones in 2012. Read MoreBLM's Largest-Ever Solar-Interest Solicitation: 90,000 Acres in Southwest
The Environmental Protection Agency on Dec. 20 finalized a rule tightening tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles that will be built in model years 2023 through 2026. Read MoreEPA Finalizes Tighter Tailpipe GHG Limits