Utilities

At its latest open meeting on February 20, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order directing PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM) and the PJM Transmission Owners (PJM TOs) to demonstrate why the PJM Tariff’s lack of clear rules for co-location arrangements is acceptable or to explain the Tariff changes they would propose to address co-location issues (Show Cause Order). FERC’s Order is focused on the PJM region because there are several contested FERC proceedings involving co-location arrangements in PJM. However, FERC has indicated that it intends to act quickly on co-location arrangements across its jurisdiction. Accordingly, the results of the PJM Show Cause proceeding will likely serve as precedent in other RTO and non-RTO regions under FERC’s jurisdiction. 

distribution electric substation with power lines and transformers

On October 17, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Order No. 904, Compensation for Reactive Power Within the Standard Power Factor Range, 188 FERC ¶ 61,034 (2024) (Final Rule). With this Final Rule, FERC is eliminating all compensation for reactive power provided by generators within the standard power factor range of 0.95 leading to 0.95 lagging.

High voltage pylons with electric power lines transfering electricity from solar photovoltaic sells at sunrise. Production of sustainable energy concept

On February 8, 2023, the State of Minnesota enacted House File 7 (“H.F. 7”) to modify electric utility standards and revises the state’s goals for generating carbon-free electricity by 2040. As discussed below, H.F. 7 significantly modifies the legal frameworks that direct and incentivize future Minnesota electric sector developments and has implications for regional energy policy.

distribution electric substation with power lines and transformers

Between October 2022 and February 2023, at least nine substations were attacked in North Carolina, Washington State, and Oregon, resulting in power outages for tens of thousands of people.  Damage to two substations in Moore County, North Carolina on December 3, 2022 caused 45,000 people to lose power, some for five days.

During the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) open meeting today, the commissioners unanimously approved, with no substantive discussion, a proposed order finding that the sale of Oncor Electric to NextEra Energy is not in the public interest.

On October 31, 2016, NextEra and Oncor had filed a Joint Report and Application with the PUCT seeking the regulatory approvals required for NextEra to acquire Oncor.  NextEra was hoping to acquire both the approximately 80% interest in Oncor indirectly held by Energy Future Holdings Corp. (EFH), which is currently in bankruptcy, and the 19.75% interest indirectly held by Texas Transmission Holdings Corporation.  In addition,