Peril at Home

We could see 11-22GW of nuclear facing early retirement in the next 10 years.
The existing U.S. nuclear fleet, representing 100GW or 20% of our electric generation, is in economic peril and in danger of declining even more rapidly than expected.

Nuclear At a Crossroads

Wind, nuclear, and gas resources must work together – not at cross-purposes.

Why the U.S. must maintain current levels of nuclear energy production to achieve carbon reduction goals.

Enforcement Times Two

FERC and CFTC begin sharing information to target market manipulation in the energy industry.

Closer coordination between FERC and CFTC (and perhaps also with DOJ) will increase enforcement risk for energy industry traders.

Transactions (July 2014)

First Solar sold the 50-MW Macho Springs Solar Power Plant to a Southern Company subsidiary. DTE Energy purchased one of the Pheasant Run wind parks. Dominion acquired two stand-alone solar energy developments in southwest Tennessee. With asset sales by Suzlon Group, NextEra Energy Resources, and Strata Solar, and debt offerings by ITC Holdings and SunEdison.

People (July 2014)

Calpine named former CEO Jack Fusco as executive chairman and president Thad Hill as president and CEO. CenterPoint Energy appointed Carla Kneipp v.p. and treasurer. ITC Holdings promoted Daniel J. Oginsky to executive v.p. and general counsel. CMS Energy elected 11 members to its board of directors, including John G. Russell, president and CEO of CMS Energy. And others.

Wind Power Subsidies

Today, tomorrow, forever?

NREL contradicts AWEA, finds wind power not competitive, and favors extending the production tax credit (PTC), but that won’t aid economic growth.

Reliability vs. Resiliency

Prevent problems, or wait and respond when something happens?

FERC holds conference on electric reliability, asks about standards for resiliency – not just to prevent problems, but how to respond once they occur.

FERC Actions Support Expansion of Real-Time Market in the West

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) and PacifiCorp announced that tariff amendments to expand the ISO's real-time energy scheduling market across multiple states in the West was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The new market, known as the energy imbalance market (EIM), is expected to increase resource efficiency, reduce costs and more effectively use renewable and conventional resources.