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Walking the Reliability Tightrope in Texas

The Texas electricity market is nothing if not unique. It has been described as having a “Vegas-like quality,” referring to its boom and bust potential. There are moments when no one is quite sure if the lights will stay on that it possesses all the drama of a roll of the dice at the craps […]

Don’t Overlook the Challenges of Integrating Wind and Solar Power

Via The Roanoke Times: Thanks to advances in technology, the price of generating electricity from solar and wind power has fallen significantly over the past decade. And that’s been helpful for America’s economy, including sectors like high-tech manufacturing and domestic mining that have contributed to these achievements. But even as the price of generating power […]

Mandated Wind, Solar Power Makes Electric Bills Soar

Via The Wheeling News-Register: California continues to lead the nation in mandating the deployment of wind and solar power. Unfortunately, that translates into rising electricity costs that are now poised to climb higher. It’s a development that should concern families in every state. Since 2011, electricity prices in California have jumped 30 percent — the […]

The Texas Reliability Two Step

The Texas grid has been pushed to its limits this week. Demand for power has exceeded supply, prices have soared and energy experts and consumers alike have waited with bated breath for rolling brownouts or blackouts.   On Monday, electricity demand hit a new record and electricity prices spiked to $6,500 per megawatt hour. On […]

Column: Natural Gas, Renewables Pose Unexpected Challenge

Via The Duluth News Tribune: There’s no doubt the U.S. power grid is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Wind turbines and solar panels are achieving greater prominence. And a “deep electrification” of the U.S. economy could be on the horizon, thanks to the growing use of heat pumps and electric vehicles. The question, however, is whether […]

When Down is Up

The reduction in the price of electricity from solar and wind power over the last decade has made for a fantastic story. But it’s hiding a more complex and troubling truth. While the price of generating power from renewables has fallen, the cost, or burden, of integrating these intermittent sources of power onto the grid […]

Rising Electricity Prices to Come as Wind, Solar Mandates Increase

Via The Arizona Capitol Times: California continues to lead the nation in mandating the deployment of wind and solar power. Unfortunately, that translates into rising electricity costs that are now poised to climb higher. It’s a development that should concern families in every state. Since 2011, electricity prices in California have jumped 30 percent – the most  […]

Costly Alternative Energy Cause for Concern

Via The Colorado Springs Gazette: California continues to lead the nation in mandating the deployment of wind and solar power. Unfortunately, that translates into rising electricity costs that are now poised to climb higher. It’s a development that should concern families in every state. Since 2011, electricity prices in California have jumped 30 percent — […]

Proposed Revisions to Clarify New Source Review Permitting Process

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a rule to clarify the process for evaluating whether a New Source Review (NSR) preconstruction permit is needed when an existing major-emitting facility plans to make changes or expand. “Today’s proposal is an important step towards President Trump’s goal of reforming the elements of NSR that […]

Grappling with the Global Challenge

As the great climate debate continues to dominate the news – Green New Deal? Green Real Deal? The Green Dream? – more policymakers need to wake up to the reality that any effective emissions reduction strategy must be globally replicable. Policy, and most importantly technology, must be advanced that can effectively slash emissions in the […]