by John W. Andrews Voters in several western states on November 6th defeated citizen-initiated ballot initiatives that would have heavily regulated mineral and energy development. The highest profile failed initiative was Colorado’s Proposition 112, which would have prohibited new oil and gas drilling within 2500 feet of any structure in the state, or within the […]
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by Raymond S. Heyman Initiatives at ballot boxes, legislatures and regulatory agencies in various states in 2018 are aimed at changing the electric utility industry. Some seek a transition from fossil fuel reliance to renewable fuel dependence. Others look to replace regulated monopolies with marketplace competitors. When there is a paradigm shift and utilities believe that […]
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by Farris J. Gillman The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced at its most recent monthly conference that it is taking a new look at PURPA. The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) was enacted in 1978 in response to the 1970’s energy crisis. It was meant to decrease energy demand by implementing conservation measures […]
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by Denise Dragoo (The following article appears in The Enterprise – Utah’s Business Journal) In his 2017 State of the State address, Gov. Gary R. Herbert challenged Utah businesses to create 25,000 jobs in 25 rural counties throughout Utah over his next four-year term. During the 2017 Legislative Session, the governor’s Rural Jobs Initiative was […]
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by Michael W. Patten After a year of development, including workshops and public input, the Arizona Corporation Commission has adopted its first Code of Ethics. The Commission believes that its new Code is the most comprehensive in the country for utility regulatory bodies. As a constitutionally-created branch of Arizona government, the ACC acts in both […]
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by Raymond S. Heyman On January 30, 2018, Commissioner Andy Tobin submitted an expansive Proposed Energy Modernization Plan in Arizona Corporation Commission, Docket No. E-00000Q-16-0289. This docket, the “Review, Modernization and Expansion of the Arizona Renewable Energy Standards and Tariff Rules and Associated Rules” was originally opened in August 2016. Commissioner Tobin’s Plan includes: The […]
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by Frances A. Folin With the uptick in exploration and development resulting from rising oil prices, once again the task of getting resources from their (often rural) development locations to their ultimate destinations has moved to the forefront of the public mind. The President’s highly anticipated infrastructure improvement plan is set to be released soon, […]
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by Timothy J. Sabo The United States has one of the most extensive natural gas pipeline networks in the world. This vast network enables the ongoing switch away from coal-fired generation and toward a renewables and natural gas-based electric system. And it has allowed cheap natural gas produced by fracking to be used throughout the […]
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by Michael W. Patten The Arizona Corporation Commission is addressing new policies that could affect a variety of regulated utilities in Arizona in the near future. The policies are intended to provide guidance on issues that are often points of contention in proceedings at the Commission. The Commission has opened three separate dockets and has […]
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by Raymond S. Heyman It has almost been six months since the Trump administration came into power. At that time, energy and environmental stakeholders were either celebrating the advent of a period of progressive reform or lamenting the end of conscientious conservation and stewardship. A review of the impact of what the Trump administration has […]
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