18Jul

Opinion: US Power Grid Strains as Summer Peaks

Via The Southern Illinoisan: Americans remain perennially confident in the nation’s power grid. No matter the weather, or the time of day, we flip a switch and expect the lights to go on. But something troubling is emerging in parts of the country — state power grids that could actually fail this summer, during periods […]
17Jul

A Fuel Security Crisis

If you’re in the grid reliability business, the New England grid is a problem most don’t want to touch with a 10-foot pole. New England’s challenge is two-fold. First, the region has retired nearly all of its baseload coal capacity and much of its nuclear power capacity. New England has put all its eggs in […]
10Jul

No Way in Hell

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) analyzes the reliability of our electricity supply. NERC’s reports and statements are consistently measured, typically packing all the flair and excitement of a buttoned-down white dress shirt. So, it’s with good reason that eyebrows were raised when NERC’s CEO, Jim Robb, recently told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission […]
03Jul

Affordable Clean Energy Rule Good for Consumers, Environment

Via KnoxNews.com Can you imagine paying 27 percent more for electricity? That’s exactly what would have happened to wholesale electricity prices in Tennessee if the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan had been adopted. Thankfully, reason and the law prevailed and the EPA’s replacement rule – the Affordable Clean Energy rule – was issued June 19. […]
02Jul

Trillions with a “T”

According to new analysis from Wood Mackenzie, transitioning to an all renewables grid in the U.S. by 2030 would cost roughly $4.5 trillion. Remarkably, that cost – estimated at about $35,000 per household – does not account for the costs of prematurely closing hundreds of existing power plants, the inevitable supply chain bottlenecks that would […]
28Jun

Always Evolving Coal Technologies Key to Trump’s Climate Plan

Via Real Clear Energy: As the United States enters a long era of reducing carbon emissions, we are obliged to make the best possible use of all energy sources – it will not be confined to renewables — through an increased program of efficiency that will lead to greater economic strength. Electric utilities, for example, […]
26Jun

When Markets Undermine Reliability

Air conditioners are running at full throttle as summer descends in all its sticky, suffocating glory. As those ACs kick on, electricity demand is creeping up, potentially hitting record levels in some states. In Texas, as temperatures climb towards triple digits, customers are wondering if the AC – and a reliable flow of power – […]
25Jun

We Need Better Coal Plants

Via The Roanoke Times: Banks is retired and lives near Timberville after a career as a writer and communications executive, primarily for energy-related entities. When I was first introduced to the coal industry, it was still regarded by many as the lifeblood of America. Coal fueled the boilers that drove the turbines at power generating […]
19Jun

A Legal Approach to Emissions Reduction, An Eye Towards a Global Challenge

The EPA rolled out the final version of its long-anticipated Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule this morning. The rule is the replacement for the so-called Clean Power Plan (CPP), which the previous administration claimed as its crowning environmental achievement. Quite an achievement it was. Along with never being implemented due to an unprecedented stay from […]
19Jun

EPA Power Plant Rule Balances Environmental Protections with State Authority

The National Mining Association (NMA) today applauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, which offers a legal framework to advance the nation’s environmental protections while preserving the rightful authority of the states to manage their own unique energy infrastructure and electric grids. “In this rule, the EPA has accomplished what eluded […]