electricity

An investigation by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFIRE) has determined that Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) is responsible for last July’s Dixie wildfire in Northern California. After “a meticulous and thorough investigation,” CalFIRE determined the Dixie Fire was caused by “a tree contacting electrical distribution lines” owned and operated by PG&E…

Calgary-based TransAlta Corp., a mainstay of investor-owned power generation, on Wednesday ended 65 years of burning coal in its Canadian thermal plants by completing a fuel switch to natural gas for its Alberta network. The company announced its 463 MW Keephills Unit 3, west of Edmonton near Wabamun, finished the historic change. The firm is…

North America’s largest power grid and its stakeholders need to ensure “adequate” electricity supply from thermal power plants, which include natural gas- and coal-fired units, until a substitute is deployed at scale, according to initial results of a study by grid operator PJM Interconnection. “As the generation mix continues to rapidly evolve in PJM, we…

Duke Energy Florida earlier this month proposed an electricity rate hike to mitigate the impact of volatile natural gas prices. The “fuel adjustment” would be tacked onto residential, commercial and industrial power bills from March through at least February 2023, the Duke Energy Corp. subsidiary said. The measure would translate to a $6.62 increase in…

“It appears the demand for electricity is beginning to grow again as the economy recovers and that, if there is a sudden spike in demand, for example, the supply isn’t going to be there to meet it,” Víctor Florencio Ramírez, directing partner at Mexico City-based consultancy Perceptia21 Energía, told NGI’s Mexico GPI. “We’re going to…

New England’s natural gas pipeline constraints, global supply chain issues tied to oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries, and prolonged periods of cold weather this winter could keep the region’s electric utilities from accessing sufficient fuel to meet customer demand and trigger emergency actions, according to power grid operator ISO New England Inc. “As…

Natural gas utilities can navigate the energy transition by following a three-step action plan, according to economists with management consulting firm The Brattle Group. “Increased coordination among stakeholders — especially between gas and electric utilities, and between gas utilities and technology providers — is needed to ensure decarbonization is achieved in the most cost-effective way…

Some Maine residents who rely on natural gas-fired electricity could see a nearly 90% jump in their monthly rates starting in January, according to the Maine Public Utilities Commission. “Unfortunately, sharp increases in natural gas prices are resulting in higher electricity supply costs for the coming year,” said Chairman Phillip L. Bartlett II. “The increase…

Editor’s Note: NGI’s Mexico Gas Price Index, a leader tracking Mexico natural gas market reform, is offering the following column by Eduardo Prud’homme as part of a regular series on understanding this process. The intention of the López Obrador government to change the constitution to restore vertical integration in the electricity industry is a matter…