Dive Brief: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held an en banc hearing on Monday to examine federal energy regulators' use of tolling orders, particularly regarding the approval of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. All 11 judges analyzed a section of law that empowers the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to indefinitely postpone litigation of its orders under … [Read more...] about DC Circuit grills FERC on use of tolling orders on Atlantic Sunrise pipeline, other natural gas projects
Chicago requires new residential, commercial construction include EV charging capabilities
Dive Brief: The Chicago City Council on April 24 approved an ordinance requiring new construction of residential and commercial buildings of certain sizes to ensure at least 20% of any supplied parking spaces are ready for electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment to be installed. The new rules apply to residential buildings with five or more units and commercial buildings with … [Read more...] about Chicago requires new residential, commercial construction include EV charging capabilities
Rooftop solar applications up 40% despite COVID-19, HECO says, but DER groups want more
Dive Brief: Hawaiian Electric (HECO) hasn't seen a dramatic dip in applications to interconnect rooftop solar systems despite the shelter-in-place policy announced by Gov. David Ige at the end of March, the company said in a filing with state regulators last week. The company received 40% more applications between March 5 and April 15 than the same period last year, it … [Read more...] about Rooftop solar applications up 40% despite COVID-19, HECO says, but DER groups want more
Tri-State, Colorado cooperatives in 'race to the courthouse' over exit fee jurisdiction
Dive Brief: Delays caused by COVID-19 and the departure of a hearing commissioner at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) have opened the door for Tri-State Generation and Transmission to have federal regulators preempt state jurisdiction over the exit charges for cooperative power providers seeking to leave its service, according to attorneys for two rural … [Read more...] about Tri-State, Colorado cooperatives in 'race to the courthouse' over exit fee jurisdiction
Utility shutoff bans are in effect for many families, but what happens when they end?
The following is a contributed article by John Howat, Senior Energy Analyst at the National Consumer Law Center. If there was ever a time to appreciate that electricity service is not a "luxury item," this is it. Large utilities across the nation and half of all states have taken steps to prevent power shutoffs for customers who fall behind on their bills during the … [Read more...] about Utility shutoff bans are in effect for many families, but what happens when they end?