Fined a Record $1.6 Billion by California PUC for Role in San Bruno Pipeline Explosion

On April 9, 2015, the California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC") voted unanimously to assess Pacific Gas & Electric Company ("PG&E") a $1.6 billion penalty for its role in the San Bruno pipeline explosion. The explosion, which occurred on September 9, 2010, resulted in the deaths of eight people and injuries to 58 people, as well as the destruction and/or damage to many homes and city infrastructure. The transmission pipeline was owned and operated by PG&E. [Read more →]

Second Circuit Upholds FERC's NYISO Capacity Zone Order

On April 2, 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ("Second Circuit") upheld the Commission's approval of a new capacity zone and demand curve for the New York Independent System Operator, Inc. ("NYISO"). Previously, on June 4, 2014, the Second Circuit denied an emergency motion requesting a stay of the implementation of the new zone (see June 9, 2014 edition of the WER). [Read more →]

PJM Requests Delay in Upcoming Capacity Auction

On April 7, 2015, PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. ("PJM") requested a one-time waiver of its tariff so that PJM may delay its upcoming Base Residual Auction ("BRA") until after FERC has ruled on its December 2014 capacity performance tariff revision filing. PJM requested to delay the BRA from the week of May 11-15, 2015 to a week that is 30 to 75 days after FERC's ruling on the merits of its capacity performance proposal, but no later than the week of August 10-14, 2015. PJM stated that the delay until after FERC acts on its capacity performance filing would allow for market participant certainty on the status, schedule, and rules for the BRA. [Read more →]

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