Explore

Rapid Read Rapid Read
West Virginia PSC Staff Raises Concerns Over Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link Project Route Changes

West Virginia PSC Staff Raises Concerns Over Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link Project Route Changes

Staff for the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) has expressed significant concerns regarding five proposed route changes for the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) Project, a 107.5-mile, 500-kilovolt high-voltage electrical line. These changes were introduced after the public hearing period and just weeks before an evidentiary hearing, leading to objections from PSC staff. The MARL project is designed to run from Dunkard Township, Pennsylvania, through several West Virginia counties including Monongalia, Preston, Mineral, Hampshire, and Jefferson, and extend to Gore, Virginia. NextEra Energy Transmission, the project developer, submitted the official siting application on January 30, with the final public comment hearing held on June 11. The evidentiary hearing is scheduled for October 26, and the deadline for direct testimony is September 8. On July 30, NextEra Energy Transmission filed a route revision supplement, describing the changes as minor, some of which were requested by potentially a...
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Texas Lawmakers Debate Transmission Lines and Data Center Regulations Amid Public Backlash

Texas Lawmakers Debate Transmission Lines and Data Center Regulations Amid Public Backlash

Texas legislators convened for a nine-hour hearing to address growing public and political opposition to the construction of 765-kilovolt transmission lines and the proliferation of data centers across the state. The House Committee on State Affairs heard recommendations from various stakeholders, including local officials advocating for increased local control over data center proposals and a longer timeframe for reforming the transmission line approval process. Activist groups, symbolized by the color yellow, protested outside the Capitol, arguing that data centers' energy demands are directly linked to the need for new transmission lines. This bipartisan coalition, comprising Republican legislators, Democratic statewide candidates, rural landowners, and environmentalists, has gained traction, leading to recent actions by state officials. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and committee chair Charles Schwertner called for the Public Utility Commission to scrap the 765 kV project, while Governor Greg Abbott ...
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore Resigns Early, Creating Vacancy Amidst Election Year

Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore Resigns Early, Creating Vacancy Amidst Election Year

Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore, a veteran Republican utility regulator, is resigning from her position effective September 4, ahead of the completion of her term. Pridemore had previously announced in February that she would not seek re-election to the panel, which is responsible for setting rates and profits for Georgia Power and Atlanta Gas Light. Her early departure creates a temporary vacancy that Governor Brian Kemp will need to fill. This resignation occurs during a tense election year, marked by increased public scrutiny over data centers and rising electricity bills in Georgia.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
New York Utilities Seek Authority to Own and Develop Renewable Energy Generation Assets

New York Utilities Seek Authority to Own and Develop Renewable Energy Generation Assets

Utilities in New York, including Con Edison, National Grid, and Avangrid-owned Rochester Gas and Electric and New York State Electric and Gas, are advocating for a change in state regulations that would allow them to own and develop power generation assets, specifically solar and wind farms. This move comes after the state mandated in the 1990s that utilities divest their power plants to foster competition. The utilities argue that this reform is crucial for reliably and affordably meeting New York's growing energy demands and achieving its clean energy goals. They contend that independent power companies have not met state targets due to financial pressures and supply chain issues. The Public Service Commission is currently reviewing this proposed change as it evaluates strategies to increase clean and renewable energy generation within the state. This discussion is not unique to New York, with similar pushes being made by utilities in other states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, and Illinois.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Texas Lawmakers Debate Local Control Over Data Centers and Transmission Lines Amid Public Backlash

Texas Lawmakers Debate Local Control Over Data Centers and Transmission Lines Amid Public Backlash

Texas lawmakers are currently engaged in a contentious debate regarding the extent of local control over the development of data centers and high-voltage transmission lines across the state. A House Committee on State Affairs interim meeting heard recommendations from local officials and landowners advocating for greater local authority in approving data center proposals and reforming the process for transmission line approvals. This discussion follows significant public backlash, including protests at the Capitol, against the rapid buildout of 765-kilovolt transmission lines and numerous data centers. Landowners and activists argue that these issues are interconnected, as data centers require substantial energy, necessitating new transmission infrastructure. Governor Greg Abbott has already ordered an audit of data centers seeking to connect to the electric grid, pausing approvals until the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) completes its review. This audit aims to ensure data center developers...
Rapid Read Rapid Read
West Virginia Fairgoers Express Concerns Over Data Centers and Rapid Growth, Prioritizing Local Control Over Economic Prices

West Virginia Fairgoers Express Concerns Over Data Centers and Rapid Growth, Prioritizing Local Control Over Economic Prices

Attendees at the Jefferson County Fair in West Virginia are primarily concerned about the rapid growth of data centers and associated infrastructure, such as power lines, rather than economic prices. This sentiment was observed by David Marcus, who noted a shift in voter priorities compared to two years prior when economic costs were the dominant topic. Farmers, like Roy, expressed that data centers and power lines pose a threat to their land, which is their primary asset. Democratic candidates for the House of Delegates, Jenny Thacker and Marta Beck, also voiced concerns, particularly regarding water usage by data centers and the state's perceived erosion of local control over development. Thacker suggested legislation to restrict data centers from using well water, while Beck highlighted the issue of municipalities losing control. Tamara Thompson, Vice President of We The People of Jefferson County, confirmed that many fairgoers are against data centers, citing noise pollution as a common complaint. A re...
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Duke Energy's Long-Range Plan Proposes New Gas Plants and Extended Coal Operations Amid Data Center Demand

Duke Energy's Long-Range Plan Proposes New Gas Plants and Extended Coal Operations Amid Data Center Demand

Duke Energy has released its latest long-range energy plan, which includes proposals for two additional gas plants and the extension of costly coal plant operations. These plans are reportedly based on speculative data center developments, according to documents released by the utility. The Sierra Club, represented by Senior Campaign Organizer Paul Black, has voiced strong opposition, highlighting concerns that residential and small business customers will bear the financial burden of these infrastructure projects. Duke Energy indicates a demand of 8,000 megawatts (MW) from 43 large load customers in 'advanced development' and an additional 6,000 MW in its 'development pipeline,' though many of these lack signed contracts. This comes as energy demand from residential growth has decreased from 1.9 percent to 1.3 percent, and retail demand has fallen from 1.8 percent to 1.2 percent.
Trendline Trendline
New York Utilities Seek Approval to Own and Operate Renewable Energy Projects

New York Utilities Seek Approval to Own and Operate Renewable Energy Projects

New York Utilities Seek Approval to Own and Operate Renewable Energy Projects
Rapid Read Rapid Read
New York Utilities Seek Permission to Build Solar and Wind Farms Amidst State Climate Goals

New York Utilities Seek Permission to Build Solar and Wind Farms Amidst State Climate Goals

New York state regulators are currently evaluating proposals from utilities, including Con Edison, National Grid, and Avangrid-owned Rochester Gas and Electric and New York State Electric and Gas, to allow them to own and operate solar and wind farms. This move comes decades after the state mandated utilities to divest from power plant ownership in the 1990s to foster competition. The utilities argue that independent power companies have not met state clean energy targets due to financial pressures and supply chain issues. They contend that utility-owned generation is essential to reliably and affordably meet New York's increasing energy demands and achieve its ambitious climate goals. The Public Service Commission is considering this change as part of its broader strategy to boost clean and renewable energy generation within the state.
Trendline Trendline
Senator Shelley Moore Capito Receives Nucor's Inaugural 'Woman of Steel' Award for Manufacturing Support

Senator Shelley Moore Capito Receives Nucor's Inaugural 'Woman of Steel' Award for Manufacturing Support

Senator Shelley Moore Capito Receives Nucor's Inaugural 'Woman of Steel' Award for Manufacturing Support
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Kentucky Governor's Executive Order to Limit Data Centers Faces Criticism Over Legal Authority

Kentucky Governor's Executive Order to Limit Data Centers Faces Criticism Over Legal Authority

Kentucky's Governor has issued an executive order aimed at limiting data centers, a move that has drawn skepticism regarding its legal enforceability. Kent Chandler, a non-resident senior fellow in energy and environmental policy at the R Street Institute, suggests the order may lack legal weight. The Public Service Commission (PSC), which is responsible for weighing utility rate increases, operates with increased independence following a new state law. This law grants the PSC more autonomy from the executive branch, allowing it to conduct its duties without undue influence. Chandler highlighted a U.S. Supreme Court decision that limited presidential control over federal agencies intended to be independent, drawing a parallel to the PSC's current standing. The PSC's decisions on utility requests are guided by state law, which mandates that utility rates be "fair, just and reasonable." The governor appoints and reappoints the five commissioners, who are then confirmed by the Kentucky Senate. Chandler noted ...
Trendline Trendline
Governor Lamont Intervenes in Federal Review of Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy Merger Over Electricity Cost Concerns

Governor Lamont Intervenes in Federal Review of Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy Merger Over Electricity Cost Concerns

Governor Lamont Intervenes in Federal Review of Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy Merger Over Electricity Cost Concerns