Department of Energy authorizes Golden Pass to export liquefied natural gas to non-FTA countries
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced this week that it authorized Golden Pass, LLC to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that do not have a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States. Under the order, Golden Pass may export LNG equaling up to 2.... Read More »More than 1,000 companies urge lawmakers to strengthen ENERGY STAR program
Led by the Alliance to Save Energy, more than 1,000 companies signed and sent a letter this week to Congress and the White House, calling for a stronger ENERGY STAR program, which the Trump Administration’s budget proposed eliminating. “ENERGY STAR is a model for successful collaboration bet... Read More »Anthony O'Donnell
Maryland Commissioner testifies on nuclear waste disposal draft legislation
Representing the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), Maryland Commissioner Anthony J. O’Donnell testified this week on the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2017 before the House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment. O... Read More »Nicholas Akins
American Electric Power to invest $17 billion in grid upgrades
American Electric Power (AEP) plans to invest $17.3 billion in capital over the next three years to create a smarter energy grid, AEP Chair, President and CEO Nicholas K. Akins told shareholders at the company’s annual meeting in Charlestown, West Virginia. The investments will include $13 bil... Read More »NERC finds August solar eclipse not likely to affect bulk power system
The August 21 solar eclipse predicted by NASA is not expected to affect the bulk power system, according to a white paper released this week by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). The paper, A Wide-Area Perspective on the August 21, 2017 Total Solar Eclipse, does sugges... Read More »Business Council for Sustainable Energy Announces Partnership with Pew’s Clean Energy Business Network
The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) announced this week a partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN), through which the two organizations will coordinate on work to promote certain clean energy policies. The partnership, set to begin on May ... Read More »Smart meters opt-out bill ready for Michigan House energy committee vote
The Michigan House Energy Policy Committee is considering a bill that would allow residents to opt out of any utility company smart meter program. An approval would clear the way for the bipartisan bill to move to the full House floor for a vote. The state’s largest utilities, DTE Energy and Co... Read More »Dean Heller
Sen. Heller opposes Yucca Mountain bill, urges partnership on alternative nuclear waste solution
Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) recently sent a letter to House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL), expressing his opposition to a bill that would revive the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository and urged the House to work with him on an alternati... Read More »Tim Echols