Congress’ experiment with establishing federal siting authority for transmission lines suffered another setback after a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision issued yesterday, February 1, 2011, vacated the Department of Energy’s (“DOE”) 2007 Transmission Congestion Study that had designated national interest electric transmission corridors in mid-Atlantic and Southwestern states. This ruling is the latest of
Come Learn What Every Renewable Energy Developer and Storage Provider Needs to Know About Integrating Variable Energy Resources
Wind & Solar Integration Summit, Scottsdale, AZ
January 24, 2011, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Workshop
January 25, 2011, 7 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., Conference
January 26, 2011, 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m., Conference
As the Workshop Chair, I would like to extend you an invitation to the Wind & Solar Integration Summit…
Renewable Energy Law Alert: The Upper Midwest Reopens to Renewable Energy Development
Yesterday, December 16, 2010, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) conditionally approved a proposal by the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) that significantly changes how large transmission upgrades are funded across the MISO region.
MISO’s proposal creates a new category of transmission projects called Multi-Value Projects (MVPs) for upgrades that are determined to enable…
FERC Decision Opens Door for New Wind Development in the Upper Midwest
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) opened the door today for new investment in transmission lines in the Upper Midwest that will deliver new wind energy to market. By establishing a methodology for sharing the cost of new transmission lines, FERC’s decision could provide a significant boost to wind development in the region. For more…
Stoel Rives Energy Regulation Report
IN THIS EDITION:
- FERC opens a rulemaking on variable energy resources.
- FERC extends the comment deadline in the appeals by wind farms registered for transmission reliability functions.
- FERC denies a petition to protect priority to interconnection capacity rights.
FERC Opens Rulemaking on Intra-Hour Scheduling, Forecasting Requirements, and Integration Services for Variable Energy Resources
The Federal…
Idaho PUC Issues Proposal to Revise Prices Paid to QF Wind Generators Under PURPA
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has issued a straw man proposal that lays out plans to revise the surrogate avoided resource (SAR) methodology used to calculate avoided cost rates for wind generators. The "avoided cost" is the price paid to Qualifying Facilities that are selling power to Idaho utilities under the Public Utility Regulatory…
Stoel Rives Publishes White Papers on Transmission Development
I am proud to announce the publication of two white papers that focus on the issues of transmission development and broader issues facing renewable energy. These white papers were written by attorneys at Stoel Rives and were prepared at the request of the Energy Foundation, a partnership of major foundations interested in sustainable energy. The…
Puget Wind Integration Charge REJECTED.
With a swift 13-page order today, FERC rejected Puget Sound Energy’s proposed wind integration rate, stating that the rate was not shown to be “just and reasonable” under section 205 of the Federal Power Act. “Changing system conditions, such as an increasing amount of wind generation described by Puget, present unique challenges that may require …
FERC Comments on Electric Storage Technologies Due August 9
Just a friendly reminder that the deadline to submit comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) on electric storage technologies is just around the corner. In its Request for Comments Regarding Rates, Accounting and Financial Reporting for New Electric Storage Technologies, FERC’s Office of Energy Policy and Innovation seeks comments on the following issues: …
California and FERC Agreement to Coordinate Hydrokinetic Project Development
From our colleague Michael O’Connell:
On May 18, 2010, California and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate federal and state procedures and schedules for development of hydrokinetic projects off California’s coast. FERC previously entered MOUs for such coordination with Oregon, Washington and Maine.
The California-FERC MOU…