FERC Declines to Act on Smart Grid Rule, Cites Lack of Consensus

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decided not to conduct a rulemaking on the first group of proposed technical standards for the smart grid, citing a lack of consensus among electric utilities, telecommunications companies, and equipment manufacturers…

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Solicits Comments on Proposal to Remove Barriers to Renewable Generation

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is taking comments, due by Jan. 31, on a proposal to remove barriers to integrating renewable energy on the nation’s transmission system.

The proposed rule, “Integration of Variable Resources,” (Docket No. RM10-11-000), was published in the…

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Proposed Transmission Rule Sparks Debate on Future of Renewables on U.S. Grid

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is attempting to accomplish through regulation what Congress has been unable to do through legislation—pave the way for construction of high-voltage transmission lines stretching across state borders and regions to…

U.S., Japan Agree to Promote Energy-Efficient Communities, Form Bilateral Energy Dialogue

TOKYO—The United States and Japan agreed Nov. 18 to promote a project to build energy-efficient communities and to establish a bilateral…

Obama Administration Supports Global Development of Smart Grid, Commerce Secretary Says

Obama Administration Supports Global Development of Smart Grid, Commerce Secretary Says…

Massachusetts Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Power Lines from Wind Farm

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled 4-2 Aug. 31 that the construction and operation of transmission lines critical to construction of a 130-turbine wind farm in Nantucket Sound may proceed over the objections of opponents…

Senate Energy Panel Slated to Mark up Bills on Solar Power, Electric Vehicles, Modular Reactors July 15

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) has scheduled a July 15 markup in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which he chairs, on…

Energy Department Awards $92 Million for 43 ‘Cutting-Edge’ Research Projects

The Department of Energy July 12 announced it will award $92 million for 43 “cutting-edge” energy research projects ranging from…

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule to Allocate Electricity Transmission Costs

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is taking comments on a proposed rule issued June 17 that is designed to resolve conflicts over…

United States, Mexico Agree to Create Cross-Border Task Force to Promote Renewable Energy Markets

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mexican President Felipe Calderon and U.S. President Barack Obama said in a joint statement issued May 19 that a cross-border electricity task force will be established to promote regional renewable energy markets between the two countries.