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NuScale Power Achieves Standard Design Approval from NRC for 77 MW SMR

LCG, May 30, 2025--NuScale Power Corporation (NuScale), a leading provider of advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, yesterday announced that it has received design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its uprated 77 MW power modules. NuScale states that it remains the only SMR technology company with design approval from the NRC, and the company remains on track for deployment by 2030, with 50- and 77-MW SMR options.

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EIA Presents Analysis of California's Solar and Wind Power Curtailment Challenges

LCG, May 29, 2025--The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released an analysis yesterday showing that the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), the grid operator for most of the state, is increasing its curtailment of the rapidly growing solar- and wind-powered generation facilities in order to balance electricity supply and demand, which is necessary to maintain a stable electric system.

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Industry News

El Paso Electric Agrees to Refunds Related to Manipulation

LCG, Dec. 6, 2002--An investigation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission into transactions involving utility El Paso Electric's generation portfolio has resulted in the company stating that it was connected with Enron Corp.'s efforts to distort the California electricity market.

According to a document exchanged between company attorneys and FERC trial lawyers, El Paso Electric stated that Enron used the utility's assets to carry out manipulation schemes, such as "Fat Boy", and possibly "Ricochet." As part of a proposed settlement, El Paso Electric would pay $14 million in refunds and discontinue trading of wholesale power at market rates for two years. The company, which owns generating plants in west Texas and southern New Mexico, is not connected with El Paso Corp., a larger, natural gas firm.

The settlement may be rejected or modified, subject to the response of an administrative law judge and FERC representatives. The case has implications for ongoing investigations by California. Gov. Gray Davis' deputy legal affairs secretary, William Kissinger, said "We can't judge whether this is a slap on the wrist or a pinch or something more than that. It's a black box."

Enron and El Paso's business dealings gained in significance in 1997, when Enron essentially took control of the utility's trading arm. While the utility provided only 0.3 percent of needed wholesale power to the California Independent System Operator, Enron may have exacerbated the energy crisis of 2000 and 2001 by having power available, although unsold or "parked", until it decided to offer power to the desperate ISO at much higher rates. Other companies with previous ties to Enron are being investigated for what may be similar dealings.
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