Voiced

Before the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) moves forward with significant changes to its energy markets, key questions related to reliability have to be answered in light of last month’s historic blackout, especially given that the devastating series of outages originated in that part of the country, several power industry participants recently told FERC.

Seeking to allay concerns voiced by lawmakers in the Southeast over FERC’s plans to overhaul the nation’s electricity grid, the House Energy and Commerce Committee last week backed a proposal that will allow that part of the country to have an explicit protection of its native load.

FERC Commissioner William Massey last Thursday voiced concerns that the plans of several electric utilities to join grid operators based outside of their companies’ own regions could lead to the formation of not one, but two poorly crafted regional transmission organizations (RTOs) in the United States.

Responding to concerns voiced by several Texas qualifying facilities (QFs), FERC last week affirmed that any company that meets the definition of electric utility under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) following restructuring in the Lone Star state will continue to have an obligation to purchase power from QFs.

Responding to concerns voiced by several Texas qualifying facilities (QFs), FERC this week affirmed that any company that meets the definition of electric utility under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) following restructuring in the Lone Star state will continue to have an obligation to purchase power from QFs.

Vermont Gov. Howard Dean last week voiced strong opposition to a$100 million gas pipeline project and two power plants proposed inhis state. The governor’s position, local opposition and financingtroubles for the power plants have left project planners EnergyEast, Iroquois Gas Pipeline and Vermont Energy Park Holdings withvery few options.

Vermont Gov. Howard Dean this week voiced strong opposition to a$100 million gas pipeline project and two power plants proposed inhis state. The governor’s position, local opposition and financingtroubles for the power plants have left project planners EnergyEast, Iroquois Gas Pipeline and Vermont Energy Park Holdings withvery few options.

Pennsylvania’s Senate convincingly voiced its support for SB601, a gas deregulation bill for residential and small commercial customers, with a 47-3 vote of approval early last week. The bill is now in the hands of Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives Consumer Affairs committee. If the bill is signed into law, each of Pennsylvania’s LDCs would be required to submit a restructuring plan by Nov. 1.

Pennsylvania’s state Senate convincingly voiced its support forSB601, a gas deregulation bill for residential and small commercialcustomers, with a 47-3 vote of approval late Monday night. The billis now in the hands of Pennsylvania’s House of RepresentativesConsumer Affairs committee. If the bill is signed into law, each ofthe Pennsylvania natural gas utilities would be required to submita restructuring plan to the PUC by Nov. 1.