Our summary of the issues scheduled for votes at the PJM MRC on 07/31/14. Each item is listed by agenda number, description and projected time of discussion, followed by a summary of the issue and links to prior coverage.

Facing a barrage of criticism from spurned Artificial Island bidders, state officials and others, PJM’s Board of Managers has delayed action on a recommendation that it select Public Service Electric & Gas to fix the Artificial Island stability problem. Instead, the board will allow PSE&G and other finalists to “supplement” their proposals in response to LS Power’s offer to cap its project cost at $171 million.

ComEd is teaming with an engineering company to boost the reliability of Chicago’s electrical grid and protect it against terrorism by installing three miles of superconductor cable beneath the city’s Loop district.

Senators from New York are angry over Cheryl LaFleur’s support for the NYISO’s creation of a capacity zone in the Lower Hudson Valley that has led to increases in prices.

After a year of political wrangling, FERC finally has its fifth commissioner. But uncertainty will linger for months at the agency due to Norman Bay’s lack of a policy record and the unprecedented compromise that won his confirmation.

Senators from Maryland are upset that Cheryl LaFleur declined to hold more hearings regarding Dominion Resources' proposed liquefied natural gas export facility at Cove Point.

News briefs from the states within the PJM footprint. This week we include Delaware, D.C., Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

News briefs on companies in the PJM Interconnection this week, including Duke, Exelon, NRG and Dominion.

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals signaled that it may take another look at the court’s order voiding FERC Order 745.

PPL and Riverstone Holdings have offered to divest about 1,300 MW of generation from their 15,000-MW combined fleet to avoid market power concerns over their planned spinoff, Talen Energy.