Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") issued its first pilot project license for a tidal energy project to Verdant Power, LLC for its Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy ("RITE") Project in New York’s East River (pictured at right). As a first-of-its-kind license, this is a significant step for the burgeoning tidal energy industry in the United
Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2011 Introduced in the House of Representatives
Today, Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) introduced H.R.3680, the "Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2011", in the U.S. House of Representatives. Here is a summary of the bill’s major provisions:
- Would exempt small hydroelectric facilities of 10 MW or less from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") licensing process (currently, the
PIRP Changes Off the Agenda for December CAISO Board Meeting
On November 30, the California Independent System Operator Corporation ("CAISO") announced that it would not push for changes to the Participating Intermittent Resources Program ("PIRP") at the December 15-16 Board of Governors meeting. The announcement came as welcome news to intermittent renewables advocates as the CAISO and stakholders have spent the past year negotiating issues set
What’s Happening in Small Hydro and Hydrokinetics?
Some very noteworthy things have happened this month in the world(s) of small hydro and hydrokinetics in the United States. Here’s a quick summary:
1. U.S. Departments of Energy and the Interior Award ~$17 Million for Advanced Hydropower R&D. On September 6, 2011, Secretaries Chu and Salazar announced that the two agencies will provide nearly $17
PNWER Annual Summit Hosts First Ocean Energy Panel and Moderated Forum
Last week, the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (“PNWER”) Annual Summit here in Portland, Oregon played host to its first-ever ocean energy panel and moderated forum. The four-hour session was organized by Oregon state Representative Deborah “Debbie” Boone (D.- Cannon Beach) and Richard “Rick” Williams of Science Applications International Corporation. The five initial panelists [1] were joined by members of the Alaska and Washington legislature, industry representatives, environmental and project development consultants, and others in a frank discussion about the potential for developing an offshore wave and tidal energy industry in the Pacific Northwest.
The conversation was a good one, with a handful of topics taking up the majority of the air time:Continue Reading PNWER Annual Summit Hosts First Ocean Energy Panel and Moderated Forum
FERC Issues Order No. 1000 on Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and Operating Public Utilities
Yesterday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC" or "the Commission") issued Order No. 1000 in Docket No. RM10-23-000, a rulemaking proceeding initiated by the Commission on June 17, 2010. Order No. 1000 is a Final Rule that weighs in at a whopping 620 pages and reforms the Commission’s electric transmission planning and cost allocation requirements for public utility transmission providers.
The order takes effect 60 days from its publication in the Federal Register and public utility transmission providers are required to make a compliance filing within 12 months of the effective date of the Final Rule. Compliance filings for interregional transmission coordination and cost allocation mandated by the Final Rule must be submitted within 18 months of the effective date.
Attorneys here at Stoel Rives are reviewing the order and its implications for our clients now, but given the size and scope of the order, this blog will rely on summary information published by the Commission concurrently with the order to provide readers a general idea of its contents.Continue Reading FERC Issues Order No. 1000 on Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and Operating Public Utilities
Recent RFPs for Renewable Energy
Several requests for proposals ("RFPs") have been issued recently with July deadlines. Here’s a brief summary of each:
- Progress Energy Carolinas is seeking proposals for energy and renewable energy certificates from newly constructed or existing wind projects of at least 5 MW to comply with North Carolina’s renewable energy portfolio standard. Projects do not have to
U.S. Department of Energy Announces Interactive Tidal Energy Resource Map
Today, Mike Reed, the Water Power Team Lead for the U.S. Department of Energy’s ("DOE") Wind & Water Power Program, announced a new resource to help developers assess the quality of the tidal energy resource along the coast of the United States.
Called the "Assessment of Energy Production Potential from Tidal Streams in the United States," the online
UPDATE: California Utilities Issue 2011 RFOs for Renewables
Following up on my blog Thursday, all three of California’s major investor-owned utilities, Pacific Gas & Electric ("PG&E"), San Diego Gas & Electric ("SDG&E"), and Southern California Edison ("SCE") have issued their 2011 requests for offers ("RFO") and requests for proposals ("RFP") for eligible renewable resources, triggering their timelines for new contract proposals.
Information on PG&E’s RFO, issued Wednesday May 11
4th Annual Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference
On Friday April 29, Stoel Rives partner Cherise Oram will be presenting on "Accelerating the Decision Making Process for MHK Facilities" at the 4th Annual Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference in Washington, D.C.
This year’s conference takes place from April 27 – 29. Here’s a brief summary of what to expect:
- Wednesday April 27 is Industry Development