Virginia Senate Passes Utility Regulation Overhaul

Despite floor speeches from lawmakers from both parties calling it a mistake, the state Senate voted 26-13 on Friday to pass the utility regulatory reform package endorsed by Gov. Ralph Northam and spearheaded by Dominion Energy, Virginia’s biggest utility.

“Let’s be honest,” said Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City. “This bill is being written to benefit ... an industry giant.”

The far-reaching legislation shifts Virginia to what Dominion calls a “reinvestment model” that lets the company keep millions in earnings that would otherwise be returned to customers in exchange for investments in grid upgrades and renewable energy, among other spending, over the next decade.

Supporters bill it as a way to transform the state’s electrical grid to match a shift in the utility industry that better incorporates solar, wind and battery storage and hardens the system against storms and cyberattacks. The legislation has a host of bells and whistles, including a push for expensive programs to put distribution and transmission lines underground, $200 million in credits for Dominion customers for past overpayments, and about $1 billion in energy efficiency investments.

It's the Economy: Maryland RPS Debate Illustrates National Divide on Clean Energy Policy

A curious trend is emerging when it comes to renewable energy mandates: Many states that have them are doubling down, while those that don’t are showing little interest at all.

Since 2009, only Vermont has enacted a new renewable portfolio standard (RPS), yet five states with an RPS on the books strengthened them in the last two years alone.

Positive growth in the clean energy industry, while nuclear future remains unsure

Good news for the clean energy industry -- the U.S. State Department announced today it plans to cut its GHG emissions by 30% (from 2008 levels) within the next year. This goal is particularly ambitious as compared to U.S. commitment to reduce its emissions 17% by 2020 in the United Nation's Copenhagen Accord. The Department hopes to serve as a model to other agencies, demonstrating a cost effective partnership between the public and private sector which will spur job growth in the clean energy industry. The patnership is with Constellation Energy, which currently plans into a tapping a $50 million solar project in New Jersey to provide the Department's power.

Obama's energy policy under attack by GOP

Republicans are tapping into Americans’ growing anxiety over rising oil and gas prices to step up attacks on President Barack Obama’s energy policies.

This week, they’re taking to the Senate floor, issuing news releases and chatting up constituents back home to make clear that the recent spike in gasoline prices could be lessened by lowering taxes and easing restrictions on domestic drilling.

Arizona withdraws support for EPA greenhouse gas endangerment findings

The state of Arizona, which had supported the Obama administration's decision that greenhouse gases are a threat to human health and the environment, has dropped out of the massive court battle over U.S. EPA's new climate regulations, court records show.

Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne (R) asked to withdraw the state from the litigation in the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Columbia. The court approved the request this morning.