Federal Energy Regulators Finalize Rules to Bolster Reliability Against Extreme Weather Threats
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on June 15 finalized two rules intended to help improve reliability of the bulk power system against threats of extreme weather.
Senators Urge DOE to Reconsider Transformer Conservation Standards Proposal
The Department of Energy should reconsider its proposed rule to increase conservation standards for distribution transformers, 47 U.S. senators said in a June 1 letter to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. The bipartisan letter was led by Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN).
APPA, Other Groups Urge President Biden to Convene Electrical Steel Summit
The American Public Power Association and several other trade groups are urging President Biden to convene an Electrical Steel Summit that would bring together stakeholders for a strategic discussion on the current challenges to sustaining and growing domestic production of electric steel.
USDA Releases Guidance for Applying for Forgivable Rural Renewable Energy Loans
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utility Service on May 16 issued a notice of funding opportunity for the Powering Affordable Clean Energy forgivable loan program.
NERC Issues Alert to Evaluate Bulk Electric System’s Winter Readiness
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has issued a Level 3 extreme cold weather alert to balancing authorities, generator owners, and transmission operators.
Gainesville Regional Utilities Moves Transformer With a Little Help from Palmolive Dish Soap
Florida public power utility Gainesville Regional Utilities and Rountree Transport & Rigging recently teamed up to move a 114,000-pound transformer at the utility’s Sugarfoot Substation.
San Francisco Officials Urge PG&E to Reconsider Position on Sale of Grid Assets
In a May 3 letter to Patricia Poppe, CEO of California investor-owned utility Pacific Gas & Electric, San Francisco officials including Dennis Herrera, General Manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, urged the utility to reconsider its position related to the city’s plan to buy PG&E’s grid assets, which would allow the city to become responsible for all electric distribution service within San Francisco’s boundaries.
Pacific Northwest Forecast Projects a 20% Increase in Load Over the Next Five Years
The Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee released its 2023 Northwest Regional Forecast on May 4, which projects a 20 percent increase in load over the next five years. This equates to roughly 4,000 average megawatts.
Gridscape to Develop Microgrids for California CCA East Bay Community Energy
Gridscape has been selected by California community choice aggregator East Bay Community Energy to develop microgrids for approximately 30 critical facilities.
Texas Grid Expected to Experience Greater Reliance on Renewable Energy This Summer
The Texas power grid is expected to see a greater reliance on renewable energy this summer, the chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission and the CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas said on May 3.