North America News

Latest news and developments from North America region

• Sempra closes acquisition deals with InfraREIT and Sharyland Utilities

  May 16, 2019
  Sempra Energy has announced the closing of two acquisition deals. Its subsidiary, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, has acquired InfraREIT, Inc. and its subsidiary, InfraREIT Partners, LP, while in another deal, Sempra Energy completed the acquisition of 50 per cent limited-partnership interest in Sharyland Utilities, LLC (Sharyland).

• Vineyard Wind awards submarine cable contract to Prysmian Group [free access]

  May 16, 2019
  Massachusetts-based offshore wind farm company, Vineyard Wind has awarded a submarine power cable contract to Italy-based Prysmian Group for its transmission network project associated with the former’s offshore wind power generation project at Barnstable City in the state of Massachusetts.

• DoE announces USD89 million for advanced manufacturing R&D, including energy storage

  May 16, 2019
  The US Department of Energy (DoE) has announced USD89 million to support innovative, advanced manufacturing research and development (R&D) projects.

• Officials of Millard County approve CUP for TransWest Express Project in Utah

  May 15, 2019
  The officials of Millard County (in the state of Utah) have approved two conditional use permits (CUP) for the TransWest Express (TWE) Project, proposed by TransWest Express LLC (a wholly-owned affiliate of The Anschutz Corporation, a privately-held company based in Denver).

• New Hampshire's Supreme Court holds hearing for Northern Pass project

  May 15, 2019
  New Hampshire's Supreme Court held a hearing for the Northern Pass Transmission project, to give a chance to all the parties to express their views or concerns regarding the project.

• PPL Electric petitions D.C. Circuit against FERC cost allocation method for Artificial Island project

  May 15, 2019
  PPL Electric Utilities Corporation (PPL Electric) has filed a petition with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) for review of two Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) rehearing orders that have changed the cost allocation method used for certain facilities, including the Artificial Island Transmission Project, that are located in the region operated by PJM Interconnection.

• PNM seeks approval from FERC to acquire Western Spirit transmission project

  May 15, 2019
  Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), the wholly-owned subsidiary of PNM Resources, is seeking approval from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the acquisition of the Western Spirit transmission project from Renewable Energy Transmission Authority of New Mexico (RETA) and San Francisco-based Pattern Energy Group 2 LP (doing business as Pattern Development).

• US market experts emphasise on easing transmission permits’ obstacles and investment in energy storage

  May 15, 2019
  Easing obstacles to transmission permits, and increasing federal research and development (R&D) investment for electric storage technology are among the top priorities to support a clean energy future, according to the US senate and industry executives.

• Massachusetts EFSB approves 220 kV offshore project of Vineyard Wind

  May 9, 2019
  Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) has approved the transmission network associated with Vineyard Wind’s power generation project at Barnstable.

• US EPA notifies USACE to restart evaluation process for NECEC project

  May 8, 2019
  The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has asked the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to restart its Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting process for the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) project.

• USACE extends public comment period for Seacoast Reliability Project

  May 7, 2019
  The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has extended the public comment period for the 115 kV Seacoast Reliability Project, being developed by Public Service Company of New Hampshire doing business as Eversource Energy Incorporated.

• FERC allows NYISO to add ES resources to real-time market settlement rules

  May 7, 2019
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has given approval to the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) to add energy storage (ES) resources to its real-time market settlement rules for the expansion of wholesale market participation.

• Consumers Energy seeks FERC approval to sell transmission assets to METC

  May 6, 2019
  Consumers Energy Company—a subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation with operations in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, and Michigan Electric Transmission Company (METC)—a subsidiary of ITC Holdings, have filed a joint application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the acquisition of certain transmission assets of the former by the latter.

• Entergy Texas completes China−Stowell Transmission Project

  May 3, 2019
  Entergy Texas, a part of Entergy Corporation, has completed the construction of its 230 kV China−Stowell Transmission Project in southeast Texas.

• PNM to acquire Western Spirit transmission project in New Mexico

  May 2, 2019
  Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), the wholly owned subsidiary of PNM Resources, has announced an agreement with Renewable Energy Transmission Authority of New Mexico (RETA) and San Francisco-based Pattern Energy Group 2 LP (doing business as Pattern Development), to acquire a renewable transmission project, Western Spirit, which will support the development of new wind resources in eastern New Mexico.

• FERC approves 230 kV transmission project in Klamath County, Oregon

  May 1, 2019
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a 50-year license for the 393.3 MW Swan Lake North Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (including associated 230 kV transmission network) in Klamath County, Oregon.

• FERC approves rate incentives application of Duquesne Light Company [free access]

  May 1, 2019
  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved rate incentives related to Duquesne Light Company's (a subsidiary of US-based energy company DQE Holdings LLC) proposed transmission upgrades.

• SCE invests in large-scale and distributed energy storage projects in California

  April 30, 2019
  Southern California Edison (SCE) Company is investing in large-scale and distributed energy storage projects to meet demand in its Moorpark subarea, northwest of Los Angeles, arising from the retirement of several older, natural gas-fired generators.

• New York announces USD280 million support for energy storage projects

  April 25, 2019
  The Governor of New York has announced USD280-million support for energy storage projects, to accelerate growth within the industry and drive down energy storage deployment costs.

• AEP signs five-year agreement with POWER Engineers to improve its grid network

  April 24, 2019
  American Electric Power (AEP), one of the US’s largest investor-owned utilities, recently signed a five-year agreement with POWER Engineers Incorporated, a global engineering and environmental consulting firm, to increase grid resilience and incorporate the latest technology to better serve their customers.