Source: Lexology The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “Commission” or “FERC”) granted partial rehearing in three separate orders last week involving Order No. 1000 compliance filings. Most notably, the Commission reversed course on a prior holding that Commission-jurisdictional tariffs and…
transmission lines upgrades 
FERC reverses course on state laws in transmission planning
Xcel asks federal regulators to ensure wind power pays its own way
Source: Denver Business Journal As wind energy grows as a power source in Colorado, Xcel Energy Inc. is asking federal regulators for permission to change the way it charges other utilities that use Xcel’s transmission lines to move their wind-based power to…
Tagged with: distribution grid, grid, grid connections, grid reliability, grid support, transmission lines upgrades
Texas utility regulators expect to open investigation on wind ‘cost apportionment’
Source: SNL With a new report showing robust wind energy development and production in the Lone Star State, Texas utility regulators are expecting by month’s end to open an investigation into how the renewable resource’s growth is expected to impact…
Grain Belt earns FERC approval
Source: St. Joseph News Press Grain Belt Express has obtained regulatory approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to sell transmission service to customers at negotiated rates. The project involves construction of a 750-mile overhead direct transmission line that seeks to…
Tagged with: transmission lines upgrades
Transmission: More than Meets the Eye
True or false: Transmission and transmission planning are only relevant to large, conventional electricity generators, and distributed renewables are only concerned with the distribution system, and never the twain shall meet. For many decades, this statement was profoundly true. But nowadays, with evolving technologies, improved planning processes and an expanded emphasis on integrated systems, the two previously disparate elements of our energy system are beginning to intersect.
Tagged with: capital cost assumptions, DG, distributed generation, distributed renewables, distributed solar, Distributed Wind, distribution grid, EIM, energy imbalance markets, FERC, grid, grid connections, grid modernization plan, IREC, transmission, transmission lines upgrades, WECC, Western Electricity Coordinating Council
New England States Debate Sharing Costs For New Power Line to Move Renewable Energy
A rift has developed among New England states over who should pay for transmission lines needed to carry electricity from renewable energy projects. The issue is whether ratepayers across the region should foot the bill for power lines needed for southern New England. The debate has pitted Vermont against some of the more populated states to our south.
Tagged with: transmission lines upgrades
