Utility Business
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Surging data center power demand risks subtracting clean energy from the grid
08.16.24 By Brad Viator
Regulators and policymakers must react effectively to big tech’s acquisition of renewable resources by driving investments in new dispatchable energy and capacity.
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Maryland attempts to curb rising energy bills with new law targeting third-party suppliers
05.23.24 By Humberto Sanchez
Maryland is attempting to rein in skyrocketing residential energy bills from third-party electricity and gas suppliers with a new law that could serve as a model for other states with deregulated retail markets.
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Support intensifies for S.C. bill that aims to bolster state’s grid reliability
04.23.24 By Kim Riley
Dominion Energy South Carolina and several others support a proposed bill in the South Carolina Legislature that they say is extremely important to grid reliability across the state.
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Kentucky legislature seeks to expand state’s power over coal plants
03.26.24 By Kim Riley
A bill in Kentucky that could become law soon has the utilities industry concerned, along with environmental, business, and consumer groups that say the measure favors coal interests over ratepayers.
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Illinois utilities regulator puts the screws to state’s IOUs during crucial time, experts say
2.14.24 By Kim Riley
A decision recently made by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) ultimately will disrupt investment in Illinois, raising the cost of capital for investor-owned utilities (IOUs) that want to upgrade the electric grid and increasing costs for consumers, say experts.
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CT regulator playing a dangerous game with utilities
08.21.23 By Brad Viator
Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) — the regulatory body governing electric, gas and water utilities in the state — has put out a draft order…
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CT’s United Illuminating cites cost of capital in urging PURA to reconsider rate decision
08.11.23 By Hil Anderson
Representatives of United Illuminating (UI) were given the stage Friday for a last-ditch appeal of a sobering rate decision that could leave the Connecticut utility in a difficult position the next time…
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Pending Connecticut law to protect utility ratepayers will backfire
06.06.23 By Brad Viator
If SB7 becomes law, lenders and rating agencies will conclude that Connecticut is becoming a riskier operating environment because of the reforms and penalties it requires…
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Connecticut legislature passes new restrictive regulatory rules for utilities
06.06.23 By Hil Anderson
Connecticut’s two electric utility companies, Eversource and United Illuminating, could be facing a tougher time seeking meaningful rates from state regulators following changes to the rulebook passed by the state…
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How to Fix the Grid, with Brad Viator
11.17.22 By The Editors Podcast
Rich is joined by Brad Viator, an energy consultant with more than a decade of experience leading public policy for the utility industry…
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The California energy problem is structural, not political
09.29.22 By Brad Viator
The deregulation experiment in California that created energy markets isn’t working for reliability or for customers. Unless it is addressed, things will only get worse…
Deregulation
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Traditional vs Deregulated Electric Markets
03.31.23 By ALEC
Joe Trotter, ALEC’s Energy, Environmental and Agriculture Task Force Director, and Brad Viator, discussed everything you need know about Traditional vs. Deregulated Electric Markets…
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Panelists voice doubt about Texas-style grid failures in Virginia
10.20.21 By Sarah Vogelsong
Texas’ catastrophic winter crisis has become a political flashpoint linked to deregulation and renewables debates…
Securitization
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Understanding How Securitization Can Help with Power Plant Retirements
03.03.23 By Aaron Larson
Power companies across the nation are being pressured to retire fossil-fueled power plants and transition to cleaner energy resources. But many existing fossil plants have not been completely paid off or depreciated…
Municipalization
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Opponents denounce Maine consumer-owned electric utility proposal
05.21.21 By Kim Riley
Consumers would be on the downside if a proposed bill to establish another consumer-owned utility in Maine got enacted by legislators…