Posts from — February 2010

Recently, several news outlets reported on the shortage of rare earth elements and the effect the shortage may have on technology development within the energy industry.  Specifically, rare earth elements are predominantly mined and refined in China, which is using more and exporting less of the resource.  If that trend continues, there is speculation that wind development and other renewable energy investment outside China could suffer.  [Read more →]

On January 29, 2010, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) conditionally approved the Southwest Power Pool Inc.’s (“SPP”) proposed interim interconnection service as well as its accompanying pro forma Interim Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (“Interim LGIA”).  [Read more →]

On February 1, 2010, FERC requested $315.6 million for their fiscal-year 2011 budget from Congress, which represents a 5.9 percent increase from its 2010 budget. [Read more →]

On February 3, 2010, FERC issued a Notice Requesting Comments (“Notice”) on their proposed performance metrics for Regional Transmission Organizations (“RTOs”) and Independent System Operators (“ISOs”) to use when they submit annual reports to FERC.  [Read more →]

On February 2, 2010, Department of Energy (“DOE”) Secretary Steven Chu pledged to institute several reforms at Los Alamos National Laboratory’s plutonium facility in an effort to prevent radioactive releases in the event of an earthquake.  [Read more →]