Services

News
Press Releases
Data
Archives

RSS FEED
EnergyOnline.com

News

Xcel Energy Submits IRP to Provide Path to Achieve 100 Percent Carbon-free Energy by 2050

LCG, July 9, 2019--Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, submitted its 2020-2034 Upper Midwest Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on July 1. Xcel Energy (Xcel) states that the IRP "charts the path toward achieving some of the most ambitious carbon reduction goals of any utility in the U.S. Specifically - we aim to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2030, and provide 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2050."

Interest in Eastern Offshore Wind Projects Rising

LCG, July 5, 2019--Two bills were introduced in the U.S. Senate last week to extend the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for offshore wind energy. Federal subsidies, together with offshore wind technology advances and states' plans to increase renewables, may spur rapid investments in offshore wind.

CA PUC Study Projects Little Benefit to State from Deregulation

LCG, Mar. 18, 2004--A study completed by the planning division of the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to assess possible impacts of electricity deregulation found few benefits were likely to be realized through at least 2009, a conclusion that PUC President Michael Peevey greeted with strong skepticism.

The report indicates that, because of the long-term contracts entered into by California during the energy crisis in 2001, the opportunity for significant reduction in costs to energy purchasers would probably be muted. Peevey, in a letter to legislators, found no reason in the "overly timid" report that further progress on deregulation should be delayed. The PUC president supports a plan some have called "core/non-core", which would allow larger users to sign contracts with a variety of suppliers, while "core" customers would continue to buy electricity through the regulated utilities.

In addition to long-term contracts, the lingering cost of the energy crisis stems from the need to pay down debt incurred with the sale of bonds. Industrial customers have experienced a modest reduction of 14 percent, following rate increases of 50 to 150 percent. This class of customers would likely benefit most from a return to deregulation if their payments for those liabilities were to drop, and they were able to deal with energy producers separately.

Some legislators, as well as the consumer advocacy organization The Utility Reform Network (TURN), are concerned that deregulation such as Peevey is advocating might shift some of the burden of paying for previous deals away from those able to negotiate independently towards other customers. The California Manufacturing and Technology Association, as well as the Independent Energy Producers Association, support Peevey's plan, and believe that reduced costs for business that have experienced significant rate increases could result from deregulation.

Print Top