Veriten’s Post

⚡️🔌Earlier in December, the Arizona Corporation Commission took action to modernize how utility rates are set by adopting Formula Rate Plans (FRPs). This marks a significant step forward in tackling regulatory lag, a long-standing challenge that delays critical investments in Arizona’s energy infrastructure. Thank you to the Arizona Capitol Times for publishing my op ed on the Formula Rate Plan policy. The majority of criticism around this decision has focused on the ACC process as opposed to the actual policy itself- so I was grateful for the opportunity to weigh in on the policy. This model isn’t new — 54 utilities in 12 other states, including major economic competitors like Texas, already use FRPs successfully. They’ve been proven to strike the right balance: creating certainty for utilities to invest in infrastructure while maintaining fairness and transparency for ratepayers. Adopting this model positions Arizona to meet today’s energy challenges while staying competitive on a national and global scale. For businesses, this change couldn’t come at a better time. Companies investing in Arizona, from semiconductor giants to data centers, depend on a robust and reliable energy infrastructure to power their operations. By reducing regulatory lag, FRPs create the certainty businesses need to plan, grow, and invest with confidence. Consumers also benefit from this framework. Instead of steep, unpredictable rate increases that come after years of accumulated costs, FRPs enable smaller, gradual adjustments tied to real-time investments. This means greater transparency, affordability, and predictability for families and businesses alike. Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry is supportive of Commissionsers Jim O'Connor Kevin Thompson Nick Myers decision regarding this modern and best practice for Arizona’s energy future. #arizona #energypolicy #reliability #power #future #growth #chamberorcommerce

Early June roundup Jeff St. John always on top of CA policy changes - writes about the "plans to slash funding for batteries and utility customers to help with grid emergencies." I'd love to see all of the entities in CA that fight over energy program development (CEC, CPUC, CAISO, legislature) work together to develop one set of streamlined programs to incentivize VPPs across the state. The morass of CA programs is confusing for customers and providers and is too reliant on the whim of a multitude of policy makers. https://lnkd.in/emHMGsW8 Props to Jigar Shah for continuing to promote VPPs as a crucial grid resource, this time in Latitude Media. A few thoughts: VPPs are already operating at scale (over 100MW) across N America. Heat pumps and EVs are already being scheduled, but haven't scaled like other technologies, simply because either adoption is slower OR communication is more complicated. Contrary to this article - it does not remain challenging to guarantee exactly how much capacity will be dispatched when called upon (this is why software companies like ours have advanced forecasting methods). Lastly, this culture change IS happening now. https://lnkd.in/eCPNhQBq In the same vein as the CA article, Brian Martucci highlights the ping pong between the legislature and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. The bill is interesting to read (https://lnkd.in/eE27cYVA) - but ideas about "prosumers" participating in VPPs are very pre-2020s. Let's enable utilities to create easy programs for customers and vendors to participate in, that allow the utility the flexibility to stack distribution and wholesale values to truly incentivize third-parties and accelerate the construction of VPPs. The alternative is a free for all that doesn't actually lower bills, keep the distribution grid stable or provide customer satisfaction. https://lnkd.in/etQdJ9DS.

#DYK: Over the last two years, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has made $868 million available to support states, Tribes, and communities making progress towards their clean energy goals. At the Grid Deployment Office, we’ve so far invested $800 million to 48 states, Washington D.C., three territories, and 169 Tribes through Grid Resilience State/Tribal Formula Grants. Using this funding, recipients will support a diverse set of projects, with priority given to efforts that generate the greatest community benefit providing clean, affordable, and reliable energy. Learn more about the program, current grant recipients, and FY24 allocations: https://lnkd.in/eAsFDnMk #InfrastructureWeek: Check out Office of Infrastructure, U.S. Department of Energy’s progress update to learn more about DOE’s state, local, and Tribal clean energy partnerships: https://lnkd.in/es7-PhW3

The Maryland Energy Administration has made $9 million available for #electrification projects in public-serving buildings such as hospitals, medical care facilities, K-12 schools, and places of worship through the Electrifying Community Buildings Program. This is a competitive program to request funding for measures that facilitate efficient electrification of building systems to reduce emissions and energy costs. Deadline to apply is March 14th!

A CEBA-sponsored bill recently passed by the California Legislature would improve fundamental resource adequacy planning and help ensure the state’s grid can support businesses and communities with a reliable power supply that drives economic growth, RTO Insider LLC reports today. CEBA urges California Governor Gavin Newsom to sign the bill into law. https://lnkd.in/gg92uECG “As planning agencies move towards procuring the right amount of resources well in advance, we will see fewer outages, ‘near misses’ and emergency procurements, meaning reliability will hopefully be noticeably improved... Ensuring the right resources show up in the energy market during times of grid stress is the primary way to improve reliability.” — Heidi Ratz, CEBA’s deputy director of market and policy innovation for the West

🔧 Permitting Reform on the Horizon?   Key energy leaders in Congress are making strides toward a comprehensive permitting and transmission reform package that could support clean energy, power grid modernization, and fossil fuel projects alike. At a recent Western Caucus event, Sen. John Barrasso, Sen. Joe Manchin, and Rep. Bruce Westerman engaged in productive discussions about advancing reform before the year's end.   ◾ The stakes are high: streamlining NEPA provisions and enacting permitting reform would unlock critical projects, enhance energy infrastructure, and provide much-needed certainty for developers. With bipartisan support from leaders like Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Chrissy Houlahan, this could be a pivotal moment for U.S. energy policy.   ◾ Our take: SAFE’s Energy Security Leadership Council took to the Hill this week to push for permitting reform, and met with committee and party leadership making the case to push this legislation forward. Read their letter and other fact sheets shared by SAFE here: https://lnkd.in/gF5xfZ_b   The clock is ticking as we approach 2025. This is an opportunity for Congress to prioritize America's energy security and economic resilience.   #EnergyPolicy #PermittingReform #CleanEnergy #BipartisanSolutions

💲 High energy costs are the result of policy decisions, writes EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler in The Baltimore Sun. PJM power prices are skyrocketing in the face of rising electric demand because policymakers have pushed dispatchable plants into retirement and blocked construction of new generation capacity and transmission. "State policymakers, who hold full control over which generation resources are built in their state under the Federal Power Act, have explicitly encouraged the retirement of more inexpensive, dispatchable generation sources like natural gas and coal. Since 2018, Maryland has retired 6,000 megawatts (MW) of power and added only 1,600 MW to replace it." Going forward, we need realistic policy approaches that allow competitive power markets to deliver reliable energy solutions cost-effectively and efficiently. Read more in the Sun: tinyurl.com/mr48mv29 and follow EPSA for more insight on sound energy policy and competitive power markets. #energy #powermarkets #Maryland #PJM #MDlegislature #MDpolitics #energybills #electricity #powergrid

The Biden administration has announced conditional loan commitments totaling $22.92 billion to support projects by eight utility companies across the U.S. These investments aim to modernize infrastructure, expand clean energy generation, and enhance grid reliability. The Department of Energy (DOE) revealed this initiative on Jan. 16. The funding is made available through the Loan Programs Office’s (LPO’s) Title 17 Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR) program, established under the 2022-enacted Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The conditional commitments cover projects by Pacific Power, DTE Energy, Interstate Power and Light, Wisconsin Power and Light, Consumers Energy, Jersey Central Power & Light, and American Electric Power’s transmission division. These utilities operate in various states, including California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, collectively serving approximately 15 million customers. https://lnkd.in/gPjksNBf #CleanEnergy #InfrastructureModernization #GridReliability #DOE #EnergyInvestment #UtilityCompanies #USProjects #LoanProgramsOffice #EIRProgram #InflationReductionAct #EnergyInfrastructure #Reinvestment #LPO #Title17 #CleanEnergyGeneration #GridEnhancement #USUtilities #CustomerService #SustainableEnergy #PowerGrid #USStates #EnvironmentalInitiatives #CommunityDevelopment #EconomicGrowth #RenewableEnergy #PublicInfrastructure #EnergySector #NationalDevelopment #AmericanUtilities #GovernmentInitiative #EnergyTransition #SustainableFuture

When it comes to utilities and energy, I firmly believe that consumers deserve protection from unchecked monopolization. The lack of oversight has allowed utilities like PG&E to exploit consumers, resulting in unjustified rate hikes driven by costly infrastructure updates and opaque decision-making processes. Instead of ensuring that PG&E's expenses are reasonable, the California Public Utilities Commission has become a rubber stamp for the utility's self-serving agenda. Competition and consumer choice are essential for a modern and reliable energy system in the 21st century. A competitive marketplace fosters affordable options, decentralized generation, and innovative solutions, enabling reliable service while granting communities financial freedom. Without robust legislative oversight, Californians will continue to endure unjustified rate increases. More from San Francisco Chronicle.

The Noble County Plan Commission voted to send an "unfavorable" recommendation back to Noble County Commissioners last night in response to the Commissioners' proposal on December 16th, 2024, by a 2-1 vote, to consider a one (1) year moratorium regarding the Commercial Solar Overlay District, during which no project applications would be accepted. 80% of those who commented did so against a moratorium. One of the more compelling comments came from Stephane Frijia, President and CEO for Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, who cited the report shared below, published at the end of '24. In it, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which covers most of the Midwest, is said to be at NERC’s highest risk rating of “high,” where “shortfalls may occur at normal peak conditions,” rather than just “elevated” risk. PJM Interconnection, which serves Northeast Indiana, is said to be at an "elevated risk," where "conditions that are plausible but more extreme than normal seasonal peaks are likely to cause shortfall in area reserves." Learn more and get involved in the conversations that will drive Noble County's energy infrastructure landscape. Visit https://bit.ly/4gEqbr3.