Argonne Study Identifies 1,800 Pumped Storage Hydro Sites in Alaska
There are about 1,800 sites in Alaska suitable for closed-loop pumped storage hydropower projects and many more suitable for open-loop pumped storage projects, according to Argonne National Laboratory.
BPA Holds Overall Average Power and Transmission Rates Flat
The Bonneville Power Administration on July 28 said that it will hold the average Tier 1 power rate and all transmission rates, including ancillary and control area service rates, flat for the next two-year period beginning Oct. 1, 2023.
Moody’s Upgrades Investment Grade Credit Rating for Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Moody’s Investors Service in late July upgraded its investment grade credit rating to Baa1 for Silicon Valley Clean Energy, a California community choice aggregator.
White House Releases Proposed Rule Tied to Permitting Reforms
The White House Council on Environmental Quality on July 28 released a proposed rule that would fully implement and build upon new permitting efficiencies directed by Congress under the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.
DOE Offers $8.5 Billion to States, Territories for Home Energy Rebates
The U.S. Department of Energy on July 27 announced that it is accepting applications for state and territory implementation of the two home energy rebate programs created by the Inflation Reduction Act.
FERC Final Rule Reforms Generator Interconnection Procedures and Agreements
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on July 27 approved a final rule that reforms the Commission’s standard generator interconnection procedures and agreements.
Jeff Hall Elected to Serve as Chair of APPA’s Policy Makers Council
Jeff Hall, a commissioner with Washington State’s Benton PUD, was elected in July to chair the American Public Power Association’s Policy Makers Council.
Joint Venture of Automakers Aims to Deploy at Least 30,000 Chargers in North America
Seven major automakers on July 26 said that they are creating a joint venture that will pursue the development of a new charging network with at least 30,000 chargers in North America.
Schumer Urges FERC to Act on Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation, Backstop Siting Rules
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) recently sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission noting his “strong interest” in FERC “expeditiously finalizing a strong transmission planning and cost allocation rule, as well as a federal backstop electric transmission siting rule.”
As Renewable Portfolio Grows, Texas Becoming More Vulnerable to Curtailments: EIA
Renewable generation is growing quickly in Texas’ electric market, but the state is at risk of rising curtailments unless transmission resources also increase, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration.