Regs
FERC Chairman Swett: Proposes Incentives to Promote the Application of "Grid-Enhancing Technologies"
FERC Chair Laura Swett revealed at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee oversight hearing that the agency has established a working group to study how to support the application of grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) through incentives. She noted that while the Federal Power Act prohibits FERC from mandating utilities to use GETs, the agency can guide transmission owners to analyze relevant technologies and consider incorporating them into the incentive framework.
Ratepayer Advocates: FERC Order Fails to Shield PJM Consumers from Data Center Transmission Costs
Five state ratepayer advocates from Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, and Ohio, along with Pennsylvania's Office of Consumer Advocate, filed requests for rehearing and clarification with FERC, arguing that the agency's show cause order to PJM fails to protect consumers from data center-driven transmission costs. They contend the order does not address cost allocation of network upgrades and leaves existing consumers on the hook for cost shifts.
Market monitoring agency: Data centers push PJM capacity auction costs up by $6.3 billion
The total cost of PJM Interconnection's latest capacity auction reached $16.4 billion, with data center-related costs at $6.3 billion, accounting for 38%. Independent market monitor Monitoring Analytics noted that data center-related costs over the past four auctions totaled $29.4 billion, representing 46% of the total $63.6 billion in costs. The agency recommends separating data centers from the base auction and conducting capacity procurement separately.
PJM Capacity Auction Results Intensify 'Alarm': FERC Chairman Swett Calls for Coordinated Action
FERC Chairman Laura Swett noted that PJM Interconnection's latest capacity auction results fell nearly 7 GW short of reliability targets, attracting only about 500 MW of new generation, which intensified the 'alarm' for reform. She emphasized that the issues involve multiple levels, including federal, market, state, and entities, requiring coordinated action from all parties. FERC will hold a technical conference on July 23, focusing on PJM governance issues.
Ann Arbor, Michigan's 'Sustainable Energy Utility' Approved by Voters, What's Next?
Voters in Ann Arbor approved the creation of a 'Sustainable Energy Utility' (SEU) with 79% support. The utility will supplement, not replace, the existing investor-owned DTE energy services, initially focusing on rooftop solar and battery storage installations, and plans to build microgrids to enhance community energy resilience.
Scope 3 Emissions in SEC Climate Rule: Retention or Removal?
The SEC's proposed climate disclosure rule, released in March 2022, has faced significant backlash over its scope 3 emissions reporting requirements. With over 16,000 public comments and repeated delays, the agency now plans to finalize the rule in April 2024. Experts and corporations are divided on whether scope 3 requirements will remain in the final version, given concerns about data reliability, implementation burden, and legal authority.
Republican House Majority: What It Means for the Inflation Reduction Act's Future
As Republicans prepare to take control of the House of Representatives, questions arise over the fate of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Legal and political experts, drawing lessons from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) fight, suggest a full repeal is unlikely but expect intense oversight and political rhetoric. The analysis covers procedural hurdles, the popularity of certain provisions, and the renewable energy industry's resilience.