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Georgia Power Withdraws Request for Solar Power Fee

Georgia Power Withdraws Request for Solar Power Fee

This post was written by attorney Roland F. Hall.

Georgia Power has reached a preliminary agreement with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) regarding its proposed rate increase for Georgia Power customers.  In addition to a tentative agreement to cut its proposed rate hike, Georgia Power has also agreed to drop its request for a solar power fee. The fee would have been imposed on residential consumers who install solar panels on their homes and reduce their power bills through net metering.  View the article here.Read More »Georgia Power Withdraws Request for Solar Power Fee

New Report on Maintaining Reliability While Integrating Green Power Resources

New Report on Maintaining Reliability While Integrating Green Power Resources

This post was written by attorney Roland Hall.

As the amount of wind and solar generation continues to increase, utilities are growing increasingly concerned about how to economically and efficiently maintain system reliability while integrating such variable energy resources.  Because of California’s high renewable portfolio target (33 percent by 2020), California has become the focus of studies and reports investigating how system operations will be affected by such a large mix of variable resources.  An interesting report addressing this topic was released earlier this month.  The report is a joint report by NERC (the North American Electric Reliability Association) and the California ISO (CAISO), which operates the transmission grid for most of California.  View the report by clicking here.    Read More »New Report on Maintaining Reliability While Integrating Green Power Resources

Letters of Intent to Develop Energy Projects

Letters of Intent to Develop Energy Projects

In many of my presentations to energy developers and utilities, I generally devote some time to letters of intent.  They are common and sometimes necessary to begin preliminary negotiations for the development of an energy project.  But when one party has incurred, or is about to incur, substantial costs, a letter of intent may be inadequate.  The case discussed in this blog post is one example. Read More »Letters of Intent to Develop Energy Projects

New California Law Addresses Solar Net Metering Issues

New California Law Addresses Solar Net Metering Issues

A recent change in California state law provides an interesting and useful case study of the ongoing clashes across the country among utilities, renewable energy groups, solar manufacturers and consumer groups regarding solar net metering, utility rates and renewable energy programs.   The complex new law, a result of multiple compromises, has been portrayed as a victory for solar advocates, utilities, and consumers.  Although the purpose of the change is rooted in California’s energy crisis in 2000-2001, the positions taken by the different groups throughout the process and the resulting compromises may be indicative of what will occur in similar battles in other states.Read More »New California Law Addresses Solar Net Metering Issues

IRS Notice Clarifies Begin-Construction Requirement for PTC and Elective ITC

IRS Notice Clarifies Begin-Construction Requirement for PTC and Elective ITC

The IRS has issued two notices this year that provide essential guidance for taxpayers who seek renewable energy tax credits under the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and elections to take the Investment Tax Credit (ITC).  Both of these tax credits were significantly amended by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ARTA).  The primary amendment replaced the in-service requirement with the begin-construction requirement.  Read More »IRS Notice Clarifies Begin-Construction Requirement for PTC and Elective ITC

D.C. Circuit Upholds FERC Orders Challenged by Virtual Marketers

A group of virtual marketers challenged FERC orders concerning the disbursement of surplus funds collected for transmission-loss charges.  The case discusses the distinction between virtual marketers and participants who physically transmit electricity for purposes of wholeslae power transmission charges.Read More »D.C. Circuit Upholds FERC Orders Challenged by Virtual Marketers