North America News

Latest news and developments from North America region

• FERC rejects MISO’s proposal to allow TOs to profit from grid upgrades

  May 3, 2022
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has rejected a proposal that would have allowed incumbent transmission owners (TOs) in the Midcontinent Independent Service Operator’s (MISO) region to pay for and profit on grid upgrades needed for merchant high voltage direct current (HVDC) power lines.

• I&M announces investment for East Mishawaka transmission line project

  May 3, 2022
  Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), a subsidiary of American Electric Power (AEP), has announced an investment of around USD13 million on the 138 kV East Mishawaka transmission line project.

• BLM issues draft EIS for 500kV SunZia transmission project [free access]

  May 3, 2022
  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a US Interior Department agency, has issued a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the 500 kV SunZia transmission project, which is designed to deliver 4,500 MW of mainly renewable energy from New Mexico and Arizona to Southwest markets, including California.

• BLM begins federal review of Greenlink West project

  May 2, 2022
  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) began its federal review of the proposed Greenlink West Transmission project on May 1, 2022, which is being developed by the Nevada utility, NV Energy.

• MISO projects shortfall to meet summer projected load

  May 2, 2022
  The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) is projecting a 5 GW shortfall in firm generation to meet projected load this summer.

• Idaho Falls Power announces completion of Paine substation

  May 2, 2022
  Idaho Falls Power, a municipal electric utility serving the city of Idaho Falls, has announced the completion of a 14-year long project involving the construction of Paine substation and the associated transmission line in Idaho.

• GridTek announces acquisitions of American Power and Valiant Energy Services

  May 2, 2022
  GridTek Utility Services, a leading provider of electrical transmission and distribution maintenance, repair and upgrade services for utility and industrial customers, and a First Reserve portfolio company, announced it has successfully signed and closed on the simultaneous acquisitions of American Power, LLC and Valiant Energy Services, LLC.

• US DOE announces funding for battery and component manufacturing

  May 2, 2022
  The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the availability of over USD3.1 billion in funding for battery and component manufacturing, recycling, and second-life incentives.

• US launches USD2.5 billion programme to modernise power grid [free access]

  April 27, 2022
  The US government, through the US Department of Energy (DOE), has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public input on the structure of a USD2.5 billion formula grant programme to strengthen and modernise America's power grid in the face of wildfires, extreme weather, and other natural disasters exacerbated by the climate crisis.

• FERC receives diverse comments on DLR NOI

  April 27, 2022
  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has received diverse comments on its February 2022 notice of inquiry (NOI) (AD22-5) on whether using dynamic line ratings (DLR) for electric transmission lines are required for just and reasonable wholesale transmission rates.

• SPP awards 345 kV transmission line to NextEra Energy Transmission

  April 27, 2022
  The Southwest Power Pool’s (SPP) board of directors has selected NextEra Energy Transmission, LLC’s USD55 million Minco–Pleasant Valley–Draper transmission line project through competitive solicitation.

• Alberta introduces Bill 22 to modernise electricity grid

  April 27, 2022
  The Government of Alberta has introduced Bill 22, known as the Electricity Statutes (Modernising Alberta's Electricity Grid) Amendment Act, 2022, focused on modernising the province’s electricity system to improve affordability for Albertans.

• FERC accepts PacifiCorp’s preliminary permit applications for three pumped storage projects

  April 26, 2022
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued notices of three preliminary permit applications accepted for filing from PacifiCorp, for three pumped storage projects in Utah.

• Ørsted and PSEG sign EPC for 1.1 GW offshore project

  April 26, 2022
  Denmark’s Ørsted and US-based Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) have signed engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for the 1,100 MW Ocean Wind 1 project off New Jersey with Jingoli Power LLC and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company Inc.

• Ohio Edison undertakes grid modernisation in Greater Youngstown area

  April 26, 2022
  FirstEnergy Corporation subsidiary Ohio Edison announced that it is undertaking grid modernisation work in the Greater Youngstown area to help enhance electric service reliability for residents and businesses.

• NYPA issues RfP for battery storage to replace six gas plants

  April 26, 2022
  The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has issued a request for proposals (RfP) for battery storage to replace six small peaking plants in New York City.

• FERC reviews transmission formula rate protocols of five utilities

  April 25, 2022
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) initiated show-cause proceedings to investigate the justness and reasonableness of the formula rate protocols of five public utility transmission providers in West–Idacorp Inc.’s subsidiary Idaho Power Company, Puget Sound Energy Inc., PacifiCorp, PNM Resources Inc.’s subsidiary Public Service Company of New Mexico, and Xcel Energy Inc.’s subsidiary Public Service Company of Colorado.

• FERC issues NOPR covering transmission planning, cost allocation

  April 21, 2022
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to improve regional transmission planning and cost allocation of certain types of transmission.

• NYPSC approves contracts to CHPE and Clean Path NY projects

  April 20, 2022
  The New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC) has approved the contracts necessary to advance two transmission projects – the USD11 billion Clean Path New York (NY) and USD2.9 billion Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) projects.

• UI announces upgrade of USD300 million transmission line

  April 20, 2022
  New Haven-based United Illuminating Company (UI) announced that it is preparing for a multi-year, USD300 million transmission line upgrade along the 9.5-mile (15.2-km) stretch of the railroad corridor between Milford and New Haven.