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EPA Announces Proposed Rule Action to Revise ELG's and Support Reliable, Affordable Coal-fired Power Plants

LCG, May 14, 2026--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it is proposing a rule to revise wastewater limits, known as effluent limitations guidelines (ELG), for steam electric power plants that will help improve grid reliability and lower electricity prices while continuing to support clean and safe water resources. If finalized, the EPA's proposal is estimated to reduce electricity generation costs by as much as $1.1 billion annually, which could provide cost-savings to American consumers.

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DOE Awards $94 Million to Eight American Companies to Accelerate SMR Deployments and Develop Supply Chain

LCG, May 14, 2026--The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the selection of eight companies to support the near-term deployment of advanced light-water small modular reactors (SMRs) in the United States. The DOE states that awardees will collectively receive more than $94 million in Federal cost-shared funding to spur additional Gen III+ SMR deployments by addressing key gaps that have hindered the domestic nuclear industry in licensing, supply chain, and site preparation.

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Industry News

Colorado Supports Xcel Proposal to Exclude Bidding on 750 MW Plant

LCG, September 15, 2004--The Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) filed testimony Monday supporting Xcel's proposal to waive the competitive bid process for a 750 MW resource that would commence operations by the summer 2009.

Public Service of Colorado (PSCo), a regulated affiliate of Xcel, has submitted its Least-cost Resource Plan and requested a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to build a 750 MW expansion of its Comanche Station - with a waiver from the competitive bidding process. Furthermore, PSCo requests (a) customers pay the financing costs of the 750 MW plant immediately by raising rates during the construction period through a rate rider and (b) the Commission adopt a new capital structure for PSCo in the next rate case that includes construction costs of the coal plant in the base rates.

In addition to the 750 MW provided by the coal plant, PSCo forecasts a need for another 500 MW of capacity by 2009. The Commission recently approved a solicitation proposed by PSCo to add 500 MW of wind capacity. PSCo proposes a separate bidding process that would be open to all supply sources and DSM programs to fill out the supply portfolio, with the condition that PSCO would not bid. However, depending upon the capacity value applied to the new wind projects, the remaining quantity of capacity to bid on may be relatively insignificant.

As stated in the testimony of the OCC, "PSCo also testifies that if the Commission does not grant the waiver it will not bid or build the coal plant even though to do so might significantly increase the cost of electricity to ratepayers. It has also testified that if the Commission does not approve the proposed Regulatory Plan, the Company will not accept the CPCN."

The OCC agrees to grant the waiver, subject to the condition that the final investment cost of the plant be capped. "The OCC is supporting a waiver in this case because the Company's waiver proposal spreads the risks associated with various generation providers and serves as a hedge that will benefit consumers." The OCC had no specific cap included in its testimony.

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