April 2022: A Review

This month in energy saw the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) move forward with electric regional transmission reforms, President Biden’s $6 billion effort to rescue nuclear power plants at risk of closing, and the renewed attention on carbon dioxide removal as articulated in the IPCC’s latest report.

Read more below.
 
FERC Moves Forward Towards Transmission Reform
FERC started the process of implementing transmission reforms for regional planning as the grid struggles to adjust to increased load as more and more renewable generation is connected. As part of the reform, FERC has said it will require public utility transmission providers to conduct Long-Term Regional Transmission Planning to meet new transmission demands as the grid adjusts to new generation inputs.
 
Infrastructure: Policy Outlook and Cybersecurity
Achieving a Clean Energy Future
The Need for Restructured Electricity Markets
Recording
Infrastructure: Policy Outlook and Cybersecurity
June 29, 2021
Recording
Achieving a Clean Energy Future
June 15, 2021
Discussion
The Need for Restructured Electricity Markets
August 8, 2019
 

Publications on Transmission

Transmission Reform Strategy from a Customer Perspective: Optimizing Net Benefits and Procedural Vehicles
Resource
Transmission Reform Strategy from a Customer Perspective: Optimizing Net Benefits and Procedural Vehicles
May 11, 2022
R Street Institute
Creating a National HVDC Transmission Network
Resource
Creating a National HVDC Transmission Network
May 5, 2022
Day One Project
FERC Proposes Major Reforms and Commences a Multi-Pronged Approach to Tackle Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation
Resource
FERC Proposes Major Reforms and Commences a Multi-Pronged Approach to Tackle Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation
April 26, 2022
Vinson & Elkins
NextGen Highways Feasibility Study for the Minnesota Department of Transportation: Buried High-Voltage Direct Current Transmission
Resource
NextGen Highways Feasibility Study for the Minnesota Department of Transportation: Buried High-Voltage Direct Current Transmission
April 13, 2022
NGI Consulting, The Ray, Great Plains Institute, Satterfield Consulting, Tracy Warren, 5 Lakes Energy.
The Impacts of Wholesale Market Rules and Policies on Clean Energy Goals: A Primer for Local Governments
Resource
The Impacts of Wholesale Market Rules and Policies on Clean Energy Goals: A Primer for Local Governments
March 30, 2022
World Resources Institute (WRI)
Advanced Conductors on Existing Transmission Corridors to Accelerate Low Cost Decarbonization
Resource
Advanced Conductors on Existing Transmission Corridors to Accelerate Low Cost Decarbonization
March 16, 2022
Grid Strategies LLC
The One-Year Anniversary of Winter Storm Uri: Lessons Learned and the Continued Need for Large-Scale Transmission
Resource
The One-Year Anniversary of Winter Storm Uri: Lessons Learned and the Continued Need for Large-Scale Transmission
February 13, 2022
Grid Strategies LLC
NCEP Mini Guide on on Transmission Siting: State Agency Decision Making
Resource
NCEP Mini Guide on on Transmission Siting: State Agency Decision Making
February 9, 2022
National Council on Electricity Policy
DER Integration into Wholesale Markets and Operations
Resource
DER Integration into Wholesale Markets and Operations
January 28, 2022
Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG)
Value of Local Transmission Planning
Resource
Value of Local Transmission Planning
December 20, 2021
WIRES
Transmission Siting Reforms in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021
Resource
Transmission Siting Reforms in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021
December 13, 2021
Institute for Policy Integrity at the New York University School of Law
A Roadmap to Improved Interregional Transmission Planning
Resource
A Roadmap to Improved Interregional Transmission Planning
November 30, 2021
Brattle Group
Clean Energy and Transmission Factsheet
Resource
Clean Energy and Transmission Factsheet
October 25, 2021
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
Transmission Planning for the 21st Century: Proven Practices that Increase Value and Reduce Costs
Resource
Transmission Planning for the 21st Century: Proven Practices that Increase Value and Reduce Costs
October 13, 2021
Brattle Group, Grid Strategies LLC
Just & Reasonable? Transmission Upgrades Charged to Interconnecting Generators Are Delivering System-Wide Benefits
Resource
Just & Reasonable? Transmission Upgrades Charged to Interconnecting Generators Are Delivering System-Wide Benefits
September 9, 2021
American Council of Renewable Energy (ACORE), ICF
How Are We Going to Build All That Clean Energy Infrastructure?
Resource
How Are We Going to Build All That Clean Energy Infrastructure?
August 23, 2021
Clean Air Task Force, Niskanen Center
 

President Biden Launches $6 Billion to Save Distressed Nuclear Power Plants
The Biden administration has pledged $6 billion in spending to help keep open financially struggling nuclear power plants. The program is funded through the recent infrastructure package and is part of the administration’s push to fight climate change.
The Future of Nuclear
No, Nuclear Power is Not Actually
Why Biden Should Designate a Nuclear Waste Negotiator
Recording
The Future of Nuclear
April 9, 2021
Discussion
No, Nuclear Power is Not Actually "Dangerous"
November 19, 2021
Discussion
Why Biden Should Designate a Nuclear Waste Negotiator
April 12, 2019
 

Publications on Nuclear Power

Meeting Climate Change Targets: The Role of Nuclear Energy
Resource
Meeting Climate Change Targets: The Role of Nuclear Energy
May 12, 2022
Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
NDC Assessment: How Do Advanced Low-Emission Energy and Climate Technologies Factor into Nationally Determined Contributions?
Resource
NDC Assessment: How Do Advanced Low-Emission Energy and Climate Technologies Factor into Nationally Determined Contributions?
April 28, 2022
Clean Air Task Force
Fission Vision: Doubling Nuclear Energy Production to Meet Clean Energy Needs
Resource
Fission Vision: Doubling Nuclear Energy Production to Meet Clean Energy Needs
April 21, 2022
Nuclear Innovation Alliance
Catalyzing a Domestic Commercial Market for High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU)
Resource
Catalyzing a Domestic Commercial Market for High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU)
April 8, 2022
Nuclear Innovation Alliance
Harmonizing the Nuclear Licensing Process for Emerging Technologies: A Global Path Forward
Resource
Harmonizing the Nuclear Licensing Process for Emerging Technologies: A Global Path Forward
April 7, 2022
Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Developing Domestic HALEU Supply Spells Freedom from Russian Dependency
Resource
Developing Domestic HALEU Supply Spells Freedom from Russian Dependency
April 6, 2022
Third Way
Environmental and Economic Impacts of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant
Resource
Environmental and Economic Impacts of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant
March 28, 2022
Brattle Group
ESG Frameworks and Advanced Nuclear Energy
Resource
ESG Frameworks and Advanced Nuclear Energy
March 25, 2022
Nuclear Innovation Alliance
New Jersey’s Pathway to a 100% Carbon-Free Electricity Supply: Policy and Technology Choices Through 2050
Resource
New Jersey’s Pathway to a 100% Carbon-Free Electricity Supply: Policy and Technology Choices Through 2050
March 14, 2022
Princeton ZERO
NuScale’s Small Modular Reactor: Risks of Rising Costs, Likely Delays, and Increasing Competition Cast Doubt on Long- Running Development Effort
Resource
NuScale’s Small Modular Reactor: Risks of Rising Costs, Likely Delays, and Increasing Competition Cast Doubt on Long- Running Development Effort
February 18, 2022
Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
Southern Company’s Troubled Vogtle Nuclear Project
Resource
Southern Company’s Troubled Vogtle Nuclear Project
January 21, 2022
Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
Back-end to Innovation: How Disposal of Nuclear Waste is Breaking New Ground
Resource
Back-end to Innovation: How Disposal of Nuclear Waste is Breaking New Ground
January 14, 2022
Third Way
Promoting Efficient NRC Advanced Reactor Licensing Reviews to Enable Rapid Decarbonization
Resource
Promoting Efficient NRC Advanced Reactor Licensing Reviews to Enable Rapid Decarbonization
December 16, 2021
Nuclear Innovation Alliance
The Value of Nuclear Microreactors in Providing Heat and Electricity to Alaskan Communities
Resource
The Value of Nuclear Microreactors in Providing Heat and Electricity to Alaskan Communities
November 21, 2021
MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research
Nuclear Waste Cleanup: DOE Needs to Better Coordinate and Prioritize Its Research and Development Efforts
Resource
Nuclear Waste Cleanup: DOE Needs to Better Coordinate and Prioritize Its Research and Development Efforts
October 28, 2021
U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Nuclear Energy: Overview of Congressional Issues
Resource
Nuclear Energy: Overview of Congressional Issues
October 20, 2021
Congressional Research Service (CRS)
 
Carbon Dioxide Removal Imperative to Meet Climate Targets Says IPCC Report
The IPCC’s recent report has set out that a small window exists to limit global warming to 1.5° C, but only if the world economy quickly shifts away from all fossil fuels right away. The report is adamant that cutting off new greenhouse gas emissions won’t be enough, carbon removal technologies must be utilized at scale.
The Long-Awaited Promise of Carbon Capture
The State of the Energy Transition
Recording
The Long-Awaited Promise of Carbon Capture
June 29, 2021
Recording
The State of the Energy Transition
June 29, 2021
 

Publications on Carbon Dioxide Removal

DOE’s Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Removal Programs
Resource
DOE’s Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Removal Programs
April 4, 2022
Congressional Research Service (CRS)
Understanding the Differences Between Carbon Capture & Carbon Dioxide Removal
Resource
Understanding the Differences Between Carbon Capture & Carbon Dioxide Removal
March 31, 2022
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
Mind the Gap: How Carbon Dioxide Removals Must Complement Deep Decarbonization to Keep 1.5°C Alive
Resource
Mind the Gap: How Carbon Dioxide Removals Must Complement Deep Decarbonization to Keep 1.5°C Alive
March 11, 2022
Energy Transitions Commission
Carbon Dioxide Removal: A Must-Have Tool for the Climate Challenge
Resource
Carbon Dioxide Removal: A Must-Have Tool for the Climate Challenge
March 2, 2022
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
Guidance for Ocean-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal Projects
Resource
Guidance for Ocean-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal Projects
December 8, 2021
Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program
Reaching Climate Objectives – The Role of Carbon Dioxide Removals
Resource
Reaching Climate Objectives – The Role of Carbon Dioxide Removals
October 27, 2021
Energy Transitions Commission
Early Deployment of Direct Air Capture with Dedicated Geologic Storage: Federal Policy Options
Resource
Early Deployment of Direct Air Capture with Dedicated Geologic Storage: Federal Policy Options
August 30, 2021
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
CCS in the Circular Carbon Economy: Policy & Regulatory Recommendations
Resource
CCS in the Circular Carbon Economy: Policy & Regulatory Recommendations
July 23, 2021
Global CCS Institute
Ensuring Good Governance of Carbon Dioxide Removal
Resource
Ensuring Good Governance of Carbon Dioxide Removal
July 16, 2021
Day One Project
Climate Policy Enters Four Dimensions
Resource
Climate Policy Enters Four Dimensions
December 10, 2020
Aspen Economic Strategy Group