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Updated June 21. The grid operator acted June 21 to better align its transmission congestion revenue rights auction revenue with what it pays out to the rights holders in its day-ahead market. On a monthly basis of late, according to the California Independent System Operator, payouts have exceeded revenues by between $2 million and $20 million a month. Over the past three years, the mismatch has totaled around $100 million. Under the new policy, revenue shortages will be allocated back to the congestion revenue rights holders, who’d get lower payments. The grid operator also will auction off fewer congestion revenue rights going forward, offering only 65 percent of transmission capacity instead of the 75 percent of capacity it offers for sale now. CAISO plans to closely monitor how this week's changes affect the state's wholesale power market and may make future adjustments as needed. The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $21 million in grants to advance solar-powered desalination of water supplies. The University of California received $3.1 million and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory $800,000. The aim is to better develop solar-thermal power, which concentrates sunlight and converts it into heat, for non-grid connected, portable applications. Energy Secretary Rick Perry touted his decision to award $15 million for ecosystem and climate modeling research June 19. The Department of Energy awards are aimed at “improving Earth system modeling and prediction capabilities” to mitigate “future risks to the nation’s energy supplies,” according to the department. Risks examined will include hurricanes, wildfires, and changes in sea ice and permafrost, all of which are climate change driven, according to many scientists. A House Energy & Commerce hearing on how the 2017 tax cut bill is affecting energy costs rambled over a wide array of issues. That included the inequity in how small businesses versus big businesses have been affected, to the tax bill's effect on the federal budget deficit. Another topic aired was separation of children from immigrants seeking asylum at the border. One energy-related fact that did emerge from the free wheeling hearing is that 102 public utilities that saw tax cuts passed along those savings to consumers in the form or lower rates.

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