On April 19, 2010, the Southwestern Power Pool, Inc. (“SPP”) filed proposed revisions to its Open Access Transmission Tariff (“OATT”) to include a new transmission upgrade cost allocation method called the “Highway/Byway” method, which moves away from allocating costs on a zonal basis to a broader SPP-wide basis.  [Read more →]

On March 30, 2010, Champlain Hudson Power Express, Inc. (“Champlain”) filed an Application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (the “Application”) at the New York State Public Service Commission (“NYPSC”).  Champlain filed the Application for its Champlain Hudson Power Express Project (the “Project”).  The Project represents the latest attempt by developers to move large quantities of Canadian hydropower into lucrative East Coast markets.  [Read more →]

On April 13, 2010, FERC found that PJM Interconnection L.L.C.’s (“PJM”) open access transmission tariff (“OATT”) does not preclude PJM from designating Primary Power to build projects as part of PJM’s regional transmission expansion plan (“RTEP”).  FERC’s decision will allow Primary Power, a merchant transmission company, to build their Grid Plus transmission project (“Grid Plus”) and recover the cost of the project through cost-based rates so long as the project is accepted into the RTEP.  [Read more →]

On April 19, 2010, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed the Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act (“HB 1365”) into state law to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants by 80% in the state. [Read more →]