Xcel Energy

MISO: Building The Perfect Beast

Seams, holes, and historic precedent challenge the Midwest ISO's evolution.

As it addresses problems that contributed to last August’s blackout, the Midwest ISO struggles with staffing, “grandfathered” service agreements, and integration issues.

People

People for August 2004.

Positions filled at FERC, Colorado PUC, CMS Energy, and others.

People

People for April 2004.

Positions filled at the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Duke Energy, Entergy, and others.

Electric Reliability: The Merger Solution

Can economies of scale make the industry more stable?

Utility mergers create exceptional efficiencies, yielding average cost savings of approximately 5 to 10 percent of the combined company’s non-fuel operating expenses. These substantial untapped cost efficiencies could be harvested through more merger-friendly state regulatory policies that would enable utilities to retain these merger cost savings so long as a significant portion was channeled toward infrastructure investment.

People

People for March 2004.

Positions filled at Allegheny Energy, Constellation NewEnergy, Xcel Energy, and others.

People

People for December 2003.

New opportunities at ScottishPower, Chesapeake Utilities, NRG Energy Inc., and others.

Commission Watch

The commission nails companies, but orders payments.


The commission nails companies, but orders payments.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) finally dealt with the many issues that arose out of the 2000/2001 California energy crisis. On June 25, FERC issued a slew of orders that settled some old disputes, gave a glimpse of the future, and offered insight into the commissioners' thinking.

Technology Corridor

It's not just for enviros any more.


It's not just for enviros any more.

Green building. It's a trend that means newly constructed buildings consume 10 to 50 percent less energy than traditionally constructed buildings, yet cost only a small percentage more than standard construction. And it's a trend that is rapidly gaining a foothold with large residential and commercial builders. No wonder utilities of all sizes across the country are paying attention.