Posts from — November 2010

On November 18, 2010, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NOPR”) on Integrating Variable Energy Resources (“VERs”) into the electric grid (the “Proposed Rule”).  [Read more →]

On November 18, 2010, FERC clarified through three different orders that when a transmission developer submits a proxy group for return on equity (“ROE”) proposals, the proxy group does not have to be located in the same geographic region as the developer. [Read more →]

On November 18, 2010, FERC directed the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (“NERC”) to revise the definition of the bulk electric system to include all facilities necessary for operating an interconnected transmission network.  FERC said this is best achieved by eliminating the ability of regions to have discretion over the definition, and the definition should include all facilities at or above 100 kV except defined radial facilities.  [Read more →]

On Sunday, November 14, 2010, a brief blackout occurred during the third quarter of the National Football League (“NFL”) game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys.  The blackout left 81,000 spectators in complete darkness after an initial dimming of the lights caused the officials to halt play. [Read more →]

On November 10, 2010, EPA issued its long-awaited Best Available Control Technology (”BACT”) guidance for the new greenhouse gas (”GHG”) permitting requirements scheduled to take effect on January 2, 2011, less than two months from now.  The information applies to two permitting programs— the “PSD” program, under which new and modified sources having the potential to emit air pollutants above a certain amount must obtain a preconstruction air quality permit, and the Title V program, under which sources having the potential to emit air pollutants above a certain amount must obtain an operating permit.　 [Read more →]