Texas

AMI Logjam

Market forces and fickle policies have delayed the smart meter revolution.

Low energy prices have weakened the business case for advanced metering. Regaining momentum might depend on innovation to strengthen the benefits.

ETT and Sharyland File Joint CCN Application for Cross Valley 345-kV Transmission Line

Electric Transmission Texas (ETT) and Sharyland Utilities (Sharyland) filed a joint application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to amend their certificates of convenience and necessity to construct the Cross Valley Project, a proposed 345-kV transmission line in portions of Hidalgo and Cameron counties in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. The proposed line would begin at the AEP Texas North Edinburg Substation in Hidalgo County then head east to the Brownsville Public Utilities Board Loma Alta Substation in Cameron Co

Federal Government Picks Siemens for 11.5-MW Wind Turbine Contract

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) awarded a contract to Siemens to construct the federal government’s largest wind farm. The Pantex facility will consist of five 2.3-MW turbines on 1,500 acres of government-owned property east of the Pantex plant in Amarillo. Using an energy savings performance contract, Siemens will provide a turnkey wind farm system that includes a multi-year service, maintenance, and warranty agreement.

U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin Commission Microgrid at Fort Bliss

U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin officials commissioned the first U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) grid-tied microgrid integrating both renewable resources and energy storage at Fort Bliss, Texas. The project was funded by the DoD’s Environmental Security Technology Certification Program. The Fort Bliss grid-tied microgrid is designed to reduce overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy costs while providing the capability to operate independent of the electric utility grid when needed to provide energy security.

Unleash the Genie

Former FERC Commissioner Bill Massey says we shouldn't bottle the genie of competition as Fortnightly author Doug Jones advocated in May 2013. Instead, he says, the genie's shackles should be removed so market forces can produce maximum efficiency and value for customers.

Federal Feud

The jurisdictional battle rages on, with FERC and EPA squaring off against the states.

When Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays led an attack on the federal Springfield Armory in January 1787—the spark that ignited the federalist movement—he scarcely could’ve guessed that now, 225 years later, his spiritual descendants would still be fighting that very same battle.