utility regulation Archives

utility regulation

The Texas Paradox

Texas is firmly in the grip of conservative Republicans. So what’s the deal with renewables?

I sometimes ask students to guess what state produces the most wind power. They’re always shocked to find out the right answer: Texas. Republicans have an iron grip on Texas government. And not just that, but Texas is by far the biggest producer of oil, with a governor who has pledged to protect the industry …

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Good News from the States: April 2019 Roundup

While the Feds backpedal, the states move forward on clean energy.

Every day seems to bring more news of the Trump Administration’s dogged efforts to reduce environmental protections and accelerate climate change with increased carbon emissions. But, as has been true since Trump took office, the picture at the state level is much different. State governments across the country have accelerated their efforts to decarbonize, while …

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Modernizing the Grid

Utilities are spending billions of dollars to make the grid more reliable and sustainable.

In my last post, I talked about how Obama’s Clean Power plan was the right response to a changing grid. The grid is in the process of changing even more. Itwas designed for some relatively straightforward tasks. The main power plants, mostly burning coal (but sometimes natural gas or nuclear energy), ran day and night. …

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The Case Against Sulking

States will only lose out if they refuse to cooperate with the Clean Power Plan.

Mitch McConnell has urged states to refuse to submit plans if the Clean Power Plan is upheld by the Court. He has been accused of inciting lawless behavior on the part of state governments. Let me come to his defense on this. (How often do I get to do that??) The states are under no legal obligation …

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The Politics of State Energy Deregulation: A Hypothesis

If you are interested in environmental policy, state public utility commissions might be the important agencies you’ve never heard of. PUCs determine how much power capacity there will be and even more importantly, what the mix of energy sources will generate it. Sometimes pundits will speak of “national energy policy”, but that is essentially a null set: …

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PG&E Can’t Show You the Money

The Pacific Gas & Electric Company, the utility whose natural gas pipeline in San Bruno, California exploded several months ago, failed to spend $183 million on pipeline safety that it had been authorized to collect between 1987 and 1999. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, U.S. Representative Jackie Speier wants to know what PG&E did …

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Climate policy is changing rapidly. Stay in the loop with expert analysis via email Monday - Friday.

The Dangerous Hypocrisy of Elon Musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk wants to slash government and regulations for a Trump administration—even though California regulations helped build his companies.

The Morning After

Given Trump’s victory, what can be done to save the planet?

California Must Not Abandon its Climate Leadership

California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard has been successful. CARB should update the program without undermining its fundamental features.

NEPA in the Supreme Court (Part I)

A pending case could mean radical retrenchment of a foundational environmental law.

A To-Do List For Biden

The clock is ticking, but there’s still time for a few important last things.

The Yankees Already Beat the Dodgers at One Thing

The Yankees recently dropped Hess Oil from their outfield scoreboard. But in LA, the Dodgers’ Big Oil sponsorship with 76 gas is on full display in the 2024 World Series.

No More ‘House of Horrors’ Thanks to These New Laws

Several California laws prohibiting dangerous chemicals from household products go into effect on or after January 1, 2025.

Small, Medium, and Large Things to Do Today

Three ideas for simple, personal, and tangible ways to react to the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.

President-Elect Trump vs. California: What Lies Ahead?

Will It Be Environmental Law & Policy Deja Vu All Over Again? Or Even Worse?

Trump-Proofing Time at the California Legislature?

Governor Newsom has called a special session for December 2nd. How can California lawmakers ensure California’s climate and environmental progress in the years ahead?

utility regulation

Texas is firmly in the grip of conservative Republicans. So what’s the deal with renewables?

While the Feds backpedal, the states move forward on clean energy.

Utilities are spending billions of dollars to make the grid more reliable and sustainable.

States will only lose out if they refuse to cooperate with the Clean Power Plan.

Join Our Mailing List

Climate policy is changing rapidly. Stay in the loop with expert analysis via email Monday - Friday.

TRENDING

The Dodgers do business with a company that’s been polluting LA neighborhoods — and the climate — for years. Now, Phillips 66 faces federal charges of illegal wastewater dumping.

Some deep-seated dividing lines in U.S. politics seem to be eroding, with potential implications for climate policy.

Notes from COP29 in Baku, where the subject of real money, U.S. politics, and other tricky factors are converging.

The clock is ticking, but there’s still time for a few important last things.

The Burden on Ratepayers Is Not Sustainable

Select mechanisms can help ensure that energy projects deliver meaningful benefits for California communities

New Trump administration policies will impact the energy industry, but maybe not in the ways Trump supporters expect, writes Guest Contributor Allan Marks.

New CLEE report examines a prerequisite for fair and effective water markets

Understanding how causation applies for NEPA reviews.

Our guide to understanding how causation applies for NEPA reviews.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk wants to slash government and regulations for a Trump administration—even though California regulations helped build his companies.

Given Trump’s victory, what can be done to save the planet?

California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard has been successful. CARB should update the program without undermining its fundamental features.

A pending case could mean radical retrenchment of a foundational environmental law.

The clock is ticking, but there’s still time for a few important last things.

The Yankees recently dropped Hess Oil from their outfield scoreboard. But in LA, the Dodgers’ Big Oil sponsorship with 76 gas is on full display in the 2024 World Series.

Several California laws prohibiting dangerous chemicals from household products go into effect on or after January 1, 2025.

Three ideas for simple, personal, and tangible ways to react to the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.

Will It Be Environmental Law & Policy Deja Vu All Over Again? Or Even Worse?

Governor Newsom has called a special session for December 2nd. How can California lawmakers ensure California’s climate and environmental progress in the years ahead?