While blockchain technology is most closely associated with the cryptocurrency Bitcoin and more recently the financial industry, there is a new category of tech companies that are focused on using blockchain technology to reshape the energy industry. These companies are using blockchain in order to help utility companies track renewable energy credits, facilitate metering and
Smart Grid 101
A Guide to Utility Ratemaking
Lawyers, consultants and business leaders working in the rates and regulatory area will find the recently released Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PaPUC or Commission) Guide to Utility Ratemaking helpful, even if you don’t practice in Pennsylvania.
The original Rate Case Handbook was first published in 1983. The handbook served as a valuable resource for energy…
Illinois Announces NextGrid
This week, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC or Commission) launched NextGrid, an initiative to explore the utility of the future. It will be an 18-month statewide collaborative aimed at transforming Illinois’ energy landscape and economy. The study will focus on finding new technologies, utility business models and regulatory strategies to transform the state’s grid into…
FERC Issues Updated Reliability Primer
If you are new to the industry or simply want to brush up on the basics, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) consider the recently released Reliability Primer a gift. The comprehensive manual not only provides an overview of the FERC’s role in overseeing the reliable operation of the power grid, it provides a great…
Quadrennial Energy Review Comments Due
By: Gatsheena Beauplan
What is the Quadrennial Energy Review? The QER enables the federal government to translate policy goals into a set of analytically based, integrated actions for over a four-year time period. As directed by the President, the QER is envisioned as a focused, actionable document designed to provide policymakers, industry, investors and other…
DOE Begins Second Quadrennial Energy Review
In accordance with President Obama’s 2014 Memorandum establishing the Quadrennial Energy Review (QER), the Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced it will begin the second installment of the Quadrennial Energy Review (QER 1.2) aimed at developing findings and policy recommendations to help guide the modernization of the nation’s electric grid. According to DOE’s briefing memorandum…
White House Releases Quadrennial Energy Review
Vice President Joe Biden recently spoke in Philadelphia to announce the release of the Quadrennial Energy Review (QER). According to a White House fact sheet, “the QER is envisioned as a focused, actionable document designed to provide policymakers, industry, investors, and other stakeholders with unbiased data and analysis on energy challenges, needs, requirements, and…
Smart Grid Dictionary
After a brief hiatus, Smart Grid Legal News is back! So many issues and not enough time or space so I thought I would start with the basics. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Christine Hertzog, managing director of Smart Grid Library, to discuss Smart Grid Dictionary, now it its sixth edition. At…
Energy Resilience Bank Coming to New Jersey
This week the state of New Jersey took an innovative step in its continuing quest to remain Stronger than the Storm. The N.J. Board of Public Utilities (“BPU”) approved Docket No. QO14060626, a subrecipient agreement with the N.J. Economic Development Authority (“EDA”) to work jointly in the establishment and operation of the Energy Resilience…
NERC, FERC and NRC Meet to Discuss Grid Reliability
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held a joint meeting on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at NRC headquarters. Most of the meeting was open to the public and concluded with a tour of NRC’s new control center. Commissioners from both agencies participated. Speaking on the topic of Grid Reliability…