President Signs Executive Order Mandating GHG Reductions for the Federal Government
On March 19, 2015, the White House issued an executive order directing federal agencies to reduce their direct greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions by at least 40 percent from 2008 levels by 2025 ("Executive Order"). The Executive Order also directs federal agencies to increase the use of renewable energy by its buildings by at least 30 percent by 2025. According to the Executive Order, agencies must begin complying with the various reductions and mandates in fiscal year 2016. [Read more →]
FERC Denies Wisconsin Power and Light's Request for Waiver of MISO Tariff Provisions
On March 24, 2015, the Commission denied Wisconsin Power and Light Company's ("WPL") request for waiver of certain provisions of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator's ("MISO") Open Access Transmission, Energy and Operating Reserve Markets Tariff (the "MISO Tariff") dealing with annual capacity obligations. Despite denying WPL's request, the Commission noted that it was concurrently issuing a separate order to modify the MISO Tariff which would, according to the Commission, provide WPL with the relief it sought. [Read more →]
Idaho PUC Temporarily Reduces PURPA Maximum QF Contract Term to Five Years; Considers Permanent Reduction
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("Idaho PUC") is moving to take a closer look at the contract terms for power purchase agreements ("PPAs") entered into between utilities and Qualifying Facilities ("QFs") under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 ("PURPA") framework. The Idaho PUC has temporarily reduced the maximum contract term for QF PPAs from twenty years to five years for each of the regulated utilities operating within the state and is also considering whether to permanently reduce the term even further. [Read more →]
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