CA Current

The permanent governing body of the California Independent System Operator’s Energy Imbalance Market met for the first time Aug. 30 and, while the meeting was largely organizational, it drilled down on greenhouse gas accounting and inter-tie bidding as “hot topics.” (more…)

Among the challenges entailed in moving to a regional grid is how to determine when power is or is not serving the California market and whether there should be a fee added in for associated greenhouse emission impacts. (more…)

Sept. 5: Labor Day. Federal holiday.   Sept. 6: Workshop on microgrids. CEC staff, in collaboration with the CPUC and CAISO will conduct a workshop to learn about California customers’ microgrid implementation strategies and challenges. More information. Time: 10 a.m. Place: Secretary of State Building, 1500 11th St., Auditorium, Sacramento.   Sept. 14: Monthly California […]

Gov. Jerry Brown told news reporters Aug. 24 that the combination of SB 32 and AB 197 will give the California Air Resources Board authority to continue pressing for emissions reductions from industries through direct regulations as a substitute for the current carbon cap-and-trade program should it be overturned by a court or not reauthorized […]

California’s carbon market remains moribund, with a revenue shortfall of about 98.3 percent in the first auction of the current fiscal year. (more…)

Aug. 29: The California Energy Commission workshop to review efforts to ensure electricity reliability in Southern California after the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, and impending retirement of several fossil generating units using once-through cooling technologies. (more…)

Aug. 23: A Demand Response Auction Mechanism meeting. Discussion includes development of a proposal for auction elements, including a standard pro forma contract, for DRAM deliveries beginning Jan. 1, 2018. More information. (more…)

The future of California carbon cap-and-trade program and greenhouse gas reduction goals, plus whether or not to authorize regionalizing the western grid, will weigh on California lawmakers as they reconvene for the final month of the legislative session next week. (more…)

Aug. 2: LADWP Board of Water and Power Commission meeting. Agenda to be publicly available 72 hours prior to meeting. More information. Time: 11 a.m. Place: City of LA Dept. of Water & Power, Room 1555-H, 111 North Hope Street, Los Angeles. (more…)

Carbon emissions reductions under joint California-U.S. greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for light cars and trucks are progressing faster and costing less than anticipated, according to a report released July 18. (more…)

July 26: Joint state agency workshop on the proposed regionalization of the Independent System Operator. Topics include development of a proposed governance structure and studies on the environmental and economic impacts of a regional grid operator. More information. (more…)

The California Air Resources Board, as expected, proposed extending its carbon cap-and-trade program beyond 2020 to help stem global warming. It quietly posted its implementation plan at 5 p.m. on July 12. (more…)

The California Solar Initiative has bested its original target of installing 1,750 MW of rooftop systems in investor-owned utility territory and 3,000 MW throughout the state by 2017, according to the California Public Utilities Commission’s annual program assessment released July 5. (more…)

July 4: Independence Day – federal holiday. (more…)

California greenhouse gas regulators are readying contingency strategies, including a carbon tax, in the event the state’s carbon cap-and-trade program is folded due to legal difficulties. (more…)

June 27: CA Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities & Communications meeting. Measures to be heard include AB 2454, regarding energy procurement plans; and AB 2868, re: energy storage systems. Full agenda. (more…)

June 20: Regional grid operator and governance workshop. The second of two workshops led by the CEC and governor’s office regarding considerations for the development of a governance structure for a regional grid operator. More information. (more…)

California energy and environmental agency officials are aiming to cut routine leaks and emissions of methane from the state’s natural gas production, transmission, and distribution system 40 to 45 percent by 2025. (more…)

June 13: California Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities & Communications meeting. Measures to be heard include AB 2570, regarding the inspection and audit of California Public Utilities Commission books and records. Full agenda. Time: 9:30 am. Place: State Capitol, 1315 10th St., Room 131, Sacramento. (more…)

Several California agencies will hold a two-day conference June 6 and 7 to discuss methane leaks from the natural gas supply system. The meeting by the California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, and California Public Utilities Commission is aimed at identifying steps needed to reduce emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas with up […]