Category — Uncategorized

On December 12, 2011 and December 30, 2011, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) issued orders allowing developers to recover abandonment costs related  for abandoned transmission projects.  [Read more →]

On November 29, 2011, the National Journal Daily reported that the Edison Electric Institute (“EEI”) is seeking a national security exemption in order to provide more time to comply with the upcoming implementation of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule (“MATS”). [Read more →]

On October 27, 2011, the Commission held a Technical Conference on last September’s Revised Policy Statement on Penalty Guidelines.   Overall, various members from the Energy industry provided feedback to the Commission, and the industry representatives repeatedly asked for: (1) increased transparency, (2) more communication, (3) more detail on what exactly comprises an effective compliance program, and (4) what determines a penalty amount.  [Read more →]

On Tuesday, November 1, voters in Boulder, Colorado initiated the first steps toward replacing Xcel Energy Inc. (“Xcel”) and developing a city-owned electric utility. [Read more →]

Citing a goal of “reducing regulatory burdens and regulatory uncertainty,” the Obama Administration on September 2 instructed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) to withdraw its proposal to strengthen national ambient air quality standards for ozone.  The surprise move was the first time President Obama explicitly and completely rejected an EPA regulation, creating a firestorm of criticism from environmentalists and key Democrats and praise from industry groups and Republicans. [Read more →]