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October 31, 2024

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State Briefs

Coal Plants’ Fate Hinges on Waiver

Ameren Corp. and Dynegy Inc. will face off with environmental groups next week in a hearing that could decide the future of some of Illinois’ largest coal-fired power plants. The companies are seeking a waiver from the Illinois Pollution Control Board that would provide five additional years to meet stricter air pollution limits for Ameren’s coal plant fleet in central and Southern Illinois.

More: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Smart Grid Creating Jobs in Illinois

Commonwealth Edison’s smart grid program created more than 1,000 direct full-time equivalent jobs at the utility and its contractors, in the second quarter, the utility reported to the Illinois Commerce Commission. “Grid modernization is proving to be an even stronger economic engine than we anticipated,” the company’s CEO said.

More: Fierce Energy

INDIANA

IURC Reverses Course, Won’t Take Industry Cash

Indiana’s top utility regulator said his agency won’t solicit or accept money from utility trade groups to help fund a conference of energy regulators from 14 states next year. The announcement came after The Indianapolis Star reported details of the effort by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to raise tens of thousands of dollars from the nation’s largest utility trade groups.

At issue is who should pay for the Mid-America Regulatory Conference in Indianapolis next June. At last year’s conference in Little Rock, Ark., industry groups contributed about $50,000 toward the total cost of $73,000.

More: The Indianapolis Star

Sierra Club: Reverse Edwardsport Rate Order

Edwardsport Plant (Source: Duke Energy)
Edwardsport Plant (Source: Duke Energy)

The Sierra Club and several citizens asked the Indiana Court of Appeals to overturn Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) orders that raised electricity rates to pay for construction of Duke Energy’s Edwardsport coal gasification power plant.

More: Fierce Energy

MARYLAND

Delmarva Power Wins 3.6% Rate Hike

The Public Service Commission awarded Delmarva Power a 3.6% increase in delivery rates. A residential customer using 1,000 kWh will see their monthly bill increase from $140 to $145.

More: The Baltimore Sun

PSC Vows to Monitor BGE on Howard Outages

The Public Service Commission ordered Baltimore Gas & Electric to improve service or risk penalties. BGE’s work plan includes more vegetation trimming, burying some lines and installing more automatic switching to keep power flowing when outages occur.

The commission can fine the company up to $25,000 a day for failing to comply.

More: The Baltimore Sun

OHIO

Coal Cos. Complained to Kasich before Regulator’s Ouster

Coal-industry officials repeatedly complained about new water-pollution limits to Gov. John Kasich before the governor allegedly forced out a top regulator, documents obtained by The Columbus Dispatch show.

More: The Columbus Dispatch

Duke Pledges to Exceed State Efficiency Targets

Duke Energy agreed with environmental and consumer groups on a five-year efficiency plan that will exceed the energy savings required by state law. The company filed a plan with the Public Utility Commission pledging to reduce customers’ electricity use 5.7% by the end of 2018, above the state standard of 4.9%.

More: Midwest Energy News

FirstEnergy Seeks Renewable Credits

FirstEnergy Corp. is looking to purchase 265,000 Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and 6,600 Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). FirstEnergy need the credits to meet state renewable energy targets for its Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating and Toledo Edison utilities.

More: FirstEnergy

PENNSYLVANIA

Criminal Charges Anger Drilling Industry

Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s decision to prosecute Exxon Mobil’s XTO Energy Inc. for a 2010 wastewater spill angered industry officials, who said the case creates a hostile business environment. Environmentalists called the prosecution a welcome change from the lenient treatment they say the industry has received from state regulators.

Kane filed charges against XTO Energy for discharging more than 50,000 gallons of toxic wastewater from storage tanks at a gas-well site in Lycoming County. XTO settled federal civil charges over the incident in July by agreeing to pay a $100,000 fine and deploy a plan to improve wastewater-management practices.

More: The Philadelphia Inquirer

VIRGINIA

Bremo Coal Plant (Source: Dominion)
Bremo Coal Plant (Source: Dominion)

Dominion OKd to Switch Coal Plant to Gas

The State Corporation Commission approved the conversion of Dominion Virginia Power’s Bremo coal plant to a 227 MW natural gas generator. Opened in 1931, it is Dominion’s oldest coal-fired power plant. The conversion is expected to cost more than $50 million.

More: Electric Light & Power

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Notification, Startup Rules to Take Effect Sept. 26

Generator start and notification rules will be implemented in eMKT beginning Sept. 26, PJM told the Market Implementation Committee last week.  The Operating Committee last week endorsed related changes to Manual 14D: Generator Operational Requirements.

Reason for change: The changes were approved in 2012, following a January 2011 problem statement by PJM and the Market Monitor that noted there were no rules governing unit start and notification times. This made scheduling more difficult for PJM staff, left units unavailable for lengthy periods and permitted the exercise of market power, officials said.

Impact:

  • During the Peak Period (Jan., Feb., June, July and Aug.) the notification plus startup time must not exceed six days. Units will be in forced outage status until they can operate within the six-day limit.
  • During Off Peak months (March, April, May, Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.) units may offer extended notification times that accurately reflect the physical time to bring the unit to the beginning of the startup sequence.
  • Manual 14D: Generator Operational Requirements was revised: Added applicability for individual generating units greater than 20 MVA; replaced outdated reference to NERC Guidelines with reference to NERC Reliability Standards; Added requirement for generators operating or scheduled to operate for PJM to notify PJM prior to attempting a restart following a trip or failure to start.

More information: Members can review a summary of the changes in the eMKT Enhancements section and test the changes in the “sandbox” environment prior to implementation.

Additional information can be found in the Issue Tracking section of PJM.com. PJM will answer questions through the PJM Markets Hotline and via phone at 610-666-8998.

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SPS Removals in PPL, Dominion

Three special protection schemes (SPS) are being removed from the PPL and Dominion zones, the Market Implementation Committee was told Wednesday:

  • Dominion Harmony Village: The SPS was installed in 2007 to prevent overloads on line #65 during the loss of a tower carrying lines #2016 and #85. The SPS is no longer needed as a result of the completion of a new 230 kV line #2122 from Hayes to Yorktown (B0779).
  • Dominion Virginia Beach: The SPS was installed in 2007 to prevent line #27 from overloading due to the loss of two other feeds to Virginia Beach. The SPS is no longer needed due to the completion of a new 230 kV line #2118 from Landstown to Virginia Beach (S0375).
  • PPL West Shore 230 KV Automatic Load Shedding SPS: The SPS was installed in 2010 to alleviate an N-1-1 summer peak overload at the Steelton Tap on the Hummelstown-Middletown Junction #2 230 kV line. The SPS is no longer needed due to the energization of a second Brunner Island–West Shore 230 KV line (B0717).
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Federal Briefs

Coal Burning Plant danicek / 123RF Stock Photo
danicek / 123RF Stock Photo

The EPA’s proposed greenhouse gas limits on new power plants will not be as strict as initially proposed, but will still effectively prohibit the construction of new coal-fired plants, according to news reports.

Plants burning natural gas reportedly will be permitted to emit about 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour, easily within reach of modern plants. Coal-fired plants would be limited to 1,400 pounds per MWh, requiring carbon capture, a technology not yet commercially viable. The American Public Power Association is asking the White House for a looser limit on coal plants, calling a standard requiring carbon capture “unrealistic.” The rules are expected to be released this week. More: The New York Times; The Washington Post; The Hill

Ron Binz - Consultant & FERC Nominee (Source - Public Policy Consulting)
Ron Binz – Consultant & FERC Nominee (Source – Public Policy Consulting)

Unusual Public Battle over FERC Nominee

Threatened by federal policies, the coal industry has opened a counterattack by opposing President Obama’s nomination of a renewable electricity advocate to head the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Senate Energy Committee is expected to hold a hearing today on the nomination of Ronald J. Binz. The fight over Binz has been unusually public, considering that the job at stake is at an agency most people cannot name. Environmental groups have rushed to Binz’s defense. More: The New York Times

GOP Amendment on Efficiency Bill Would Block EPA Carbon Regulations

A bipartisan energy efficiency bill on the Senate floor is fast becoming a magnet for politically controversial amendments on climate change and ObamaCare. The bill contains measures to boost building codes, train workers in energy efficient building technologies, help manufacturers become more efficient and bolster conservation efforts at federal agencies. More: The Hill; E2 Wire

White House May Loosen Rules on Eagle-Turbine Collisions

The White House is considering whether to loosen rules limiting the number of eagle deaths permitted from wind turbines. A new study reported that turbines killed at least 67 golden and bald eagles in the last five years. More: Associated Press

Rep. Fred Upton
Rep. Fred Upton

Upton Foe Campaigning on Climate Change

A political science professor is focusing on climate change in a longshot bid to unseat Rep. Fred Upton (R), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. More: E&E Daily

 

 

EIA Low-Balling Renewable Growth: Green Groups

Green energy and environmental groups say the Energy Information Administration’s closely watched “Annual Energy Outlook” is using “unreasonably low” renewable power growth forecasts that could inhibit investment in the industry. The groups notes that the EIA’s 2013 annual outlook projects renewables’ share of U.S. electricity will grow from 13% percent in 2011 to 16% in 2040. But a separate EIA report in August showed that renewables had reached 14.2% of net generation during the first six months of 2013. “It seems highly implausible that it will now take another 27 years to grow from 14.2% to 16%,” the groups said in a letter to the agency last week. More: The Hill

gridlock-book-coverEx-Senator Imagines Attack on Grid in New Novel

Former U.S. Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) says his new novel, which envisions a cyberattack that takes out the North American power grid, is based on real concerns about the vulnerability of the system. “‘Glass jaw’ is a pretty good description of the grid system,” Dorgan said. More than 200 utilities and government agencies are expected to participate in the largest emergency drill to test the electricity sector’s preparation for a cyberattack. The drill, scheduled for November, will simulate an attack that takes down large sections of the power grid for weeks. More: The New York Times

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Installed Reserve Margin May Increase for 2014

PJM’s recommended Installed Reserve Margin (IRM) will increase slightly because of the increasing alignment of the RTO’s peak demand with demand outside of the region, according to a preliminary analysis presented to the Planning Committee Thursday.

The analysis recommends an IRM of 16.2% for delivery year 2014/15 (up from 15.9% in the 2012 analysis) and margins of 15.7% for delivery years 2015 through 2017.

Recommended Installed Reserve Margin (Source: PJM Interconnection, LLC)
(Source: PJM Interconnection, LLC)

The IRM is increasing despite a small reduction in the average Effective Equivalent Demand Forced Outage Rate (EEFORd).

PJM’s Tom Falin told members the reason for the increased IRM was an increase in the “World Peak” — the world’s share of its annual peak coincident with the PJM annual peak — to 96.4% from 95.4% last year. “We’re seeing a little less help coming in from the other regions,” Falin explained.

The study results will re-set IRM for the 2014/15 through 2016/17 delivery years and establish the initial IRM for 2017/18.

The IRM must be finalized by February 1 prior to its use in next year’s capacity auction.

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PJM Likely to Limit Capacity Imports

PJM will seek to set a limit on capacity imports before next year’s Base Reliability Auction under a problem statement approved Thursday by the Planning Committee. The problem statement, proposed by PJM, was approved without objections or abstentions.

PJM officials said they are concerned that some of the external resources that cleared in May’s base capacity auction might not be deliverable.

Growing Imports

Capacity-sources-2016-17In the last five base capacity auctions, cleared imports have grown from about 3,000 MW to more than 7,400 MW. PJM officials were especially concerned because most of the cleared imports in this year’s auction came from MISO and other points west, with very little from the north or south. (See Capacity Auction: New Generation, Imports Up, Prices, DR down)

To clear in the auction, external generators currently need nothing more than a request for firm transmission service in the transmission queue, a very low hurdle, say PJM officials.

PJM hopes to win member approval on limits in time to use them in the May 2014 auction. That will require winning FERC approval for changes to PJM’s Reliability Assurance Agreement (RAA) — which governs procedures for maintaining system reliability — before PJM posts its planning parameters on Feb. 1. The RAA changes would have to be filed with FERC by the end of November.

Aggressive Schedule

“It is a very aggressive schedule,” PJM’s Mark Sims acknowledged. Because of the tight timeline, Sims said members should provide feedback on PJM’s Key Analytical Assumptions before the next Planning Committee meeting Oct. 10. Comments can be submitted to RTEP@PJM.com

The assumptions include consideration of monitored facilities, simulated contingencies, existing commitments (long term firm transmission agreements), distribution factors (DFAX) and outage transfer distribution factors (OTDF).

Conflicting Interests

Restricting imports could benefit PJM generators who have been dismayed by falling capacity prices. But it could be challenged by MISO officials, who have complained to FERC that PJM’s modeling of cross border transmission deliverability is unfairly limiting its generation from competing in PJM’s capacity market. (See FERC Likely to Increase Pressure on PJM-MISO Joint Market Talks)

The Planning Committee will consider both an overall capacity import limit and path-specific limits. In addition to potentially reducing export participation in the capacity auction, the limits would be inputs in planning analyses.

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Merchant Transco Plans 1,000 MW Line into PJM

A Toronto entrepreneur announced plans last week to build a 1,000 MW merchant transmission line to deliver power from Ontario to PJM.

Lake Erie HVDC Line Map (Source: Lake Erie Power Corp.)
(Source: Lake Erie Power Corp.)

The “Lake Erie CleanPower Connector” would run under Lake Erie for about 60 miles from Nanticoke, Ontario to Erie County, Pennsylvania.

The HVDC project is expected to cost $1 billion and create 300 jobs over three years of construction. A PJM feasibility study indicated the project would also require about $410 million in upgrades to FirstEnergy’s 345 kV system.

Price Disparity

John Douglas, CEO of developer Lake Erie Power Corp., said the project is designed to capitalize on Ontario’s surplus power and avoid often-congested transmission lines into Michigan and New York.

In August, locational marginal prices at Nanticoke averaged less than $28/MWh (in U.S. dollars), about $6 below the average LMP for PJM’s Penelec zone.

Ontario vs. PJM LMP Prices - August 2013 (Source: PJM Interconnection, LLC and IESO)
(Source: PJM Interconnection, LLC and IESO)

The biggest price disparity was in hours ending 14-17, with a differential of more than $10/MWh. (See chart)

Douglas says the project also will help U.S. utilities meet their renewable energy portfolio goals. In 2012, the Independent Electricity System Operator of Ontario (IESO) generated 25% of its power from hydro and wind. Most of the balance was split among nuclear (56%), natural gas (14.6%) and coal (2.8%).

With connections to Manitoba, Quebec, New York, Michigan and Minnesota, Ontario currently can export up to 4,800 MW. In 2012, the province had net exports of almost 10 TWh.

Months of meetings

Lake Erie Power has been meeting for months with federal and state regulators and local politicians and fishermen to smooth the way for the project.

The company filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in July (docket #ER13-1979) requesting permission to charge negotiated rates for transmission service on the route. Although the proposal announced last week envisions two cables with 1,000 MW of capacity, the FERC application describes the project as “up to” four lines with a 2,000 MW capacity.

The company hopes to begin construction in 2015 with financing from Toronto-based JCM Capital, a private investment firm focusing on renewable energy projects.

The line will use two HVDC electric cables, each approximately six inches in diameter, a technology similar to that used in the Cross Sound project connecting Shoreham, Long Island and New Haven, Connecticut.

The company’s preferred route would reach shore in Girard Township, Erie County. The line would continue underground about seven miles south of the lake along an abandoned railroad right of way to a $200 million AC converter station adjacent to Penelec’s Erie West substation.

Previous Projects

Douglas has developed wind, hydro and transmission projects over more than a decade following a career in corporate finance and investment banking.

He sold wind farm developer Ventus Energy Inc. to GDF Suez S.A. for $200 million in 2007. He sold another proposed HVDC project — a 1,000 MW line from Montreal to New York City under the Hudson River — to the Blackstone Group LLP in 2010. That project is seeking regulatory approval.

 

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Manual Changes OKd

The Operating Committee and Market Implementation Committee endorsed changes to Manuals 12 and 27 to implement new rules regarding black start generators, as approved by FERC in docket ER13-1911. The changes include section 7 of Manual 27: Open Access Transmission Tariff Accounting, and section 4.6 of Manual 12: Balancing Operations. See MIC, OC Review Black Start Manual Changes.

The Operating Committee also endorsed changes to Manuals 1, 3, 10 and 13:

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PJM Plans $30M Capital Spend for 2014

PJM plans $30 million in capital spending next year, a $2 million reduction from 2013, under a preliminary budget that will be presented to the Board of Managers for approval.

PJM’s Jim Snow told the Operating and Planning committees last week that the proposed budget allocates $18 million for current applications and systems reliability (e.g., eDART, eSuite). Included will be updates to legacy systems not updated in the AC2 project. Also included is a $1.5 million project requested (and partially funded by) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that will allow PJM to rerun Day Ahead market results with modified inputs.

2014 Capital Budget & Historical Budget Analysis (Source: PJM Interconnection, LLC)
(Source: PJM Interconnection, LLC)

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Company Briefs

Exelon-LogoSeeking growth as its stock languishes due to low wholesale power prices, Exelon Corp. is on the hunt for another acquisition. Analysts disagree on whether it will look to add another regulated utility or seek opportunities in the merchant sector.

The company’s chief strategy officer told the Barclay’s 2013 CEO Energy-Power Conference last week that prices in PJM’s May capacity auction “were lower than anyone expected and continue to be disappointing to us.” But he said the company continues to see “a disconnect between forward prices and what prices will be when coal plants retire.”

More: Crain’s Chicago Business; Platts

Opower Teams with BGE to Launch “Behavioral” DR

energy-reporting-slider-1Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) will use Opower’s new “Behavioral Demand Response” platform in its upcoming smart meter rollout.

Opower’s system takes individual and neighborhood energy-usage data and turn it into personalized reports delivered via text messages, email and phone. Opower said it believes the new system can dramatically increase residential demand response.

More: Greentech Media; Opower

ComEd Reduces Prices to Win Back Retail Customers

Commonwealth Edison, which has lost 800,000 retail customers to alternative suppliers, is hoping to win some of them back now that it has negotiated new supply deals.

The company lost business to rivals charging six cents per kWh, a three-cent savings from ComEd rates. The company says it has reduced the gap to half a cent per kWh due to the expiration of old electricity agreements.

More: CBS Local

Dominion LNG Export Plan OKd

Cove Point Terminal (Source: Dominion)
Cove Point Terminal (Source: Dominion)

Dominion Resources won federal approval to export liquefied natural gas to Japan and India from its Cove Point terminal in Maryland. Dominion needed Energy Department approval because neither country has a free-trade agreement with the U.S.

The company plans to spend up to $3.8 billion to upgrade the terminal.

More: The Washington Post

 

 

Susquehanna Nuclear Plant (Source: Creative Commons)
Susquehanna Nuclear Plant (Source: Creative Commons)

Susquehanna Nuke Out with Turbine Problem

PPL Corp. began shutting down Unit 2 of its Susquehanna nuclear power plant early Saturday after vibration monitoring equipment indicated that two turbine blades may have developed small cracks. Unit 1 will continue generating electricity during repairs.

More: The Morning Call

PPL Sets Reward for Copper Thefts

PPL-LogoPPL Corp. said it will pay $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone caught stealing copper wire and other materials from its substations. Police say they’ve seen an “epidemic” of copper thefts as the price of copper has risen to $3 a pound.

More: The Morning Call