Electricity Policy

Deal on Moniz nomination seems done

Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) and the White House appear to have reached a compromise deal on the mixed oxide nuclear fuel project in South Carolina that could clear the way for Senate confirmation of Ernest Moniz to be the next energy secretary. A vote could come on Tuesday (May 14). The Obama administration has agreed to take a look at how to cut costs as the project to turn weapons plutonium into commercial reactor fuel, rather than seek to shut the project in Aiken, S.C. down. In return, Graham will lift his hold on the nomination. Moniz won approval from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee by a vote of 21-1, with only South Carolina freshman Republican Tim Scott opposed.

Here’s the story on the apparent Moniz deal.

McCarthy nomination at EPA wobbly; Moniz DOE appointment still in limbo

By Kennedy Maize

May 13, 2013 – President Obama faces a difficult battle getting his second-term nominees to key energy and environmental leadership positions through the Senate confirmation process. In one case, the issue is partisan gamesmanship. In another, it’s a classic battle over bringing home the governmental bacon for the home folks.

Last week, in a display of partisan unity, Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee boycotted a committee meeting at which the chair, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), wanted to vote approval of Gina McCarthy, the administration’s nominee to head the US Environmental Protection Agency. Their action put off a vote on the nomination, in a forum where a single objection by a senator can put a nomination in a political deep freeze.

New York, New England ISOs discuss gas, generation diversity, and pipelines

New York, New England ISOs discuss gas, generation diversity, and pipelines

Officials from ISO-New England and the New York Independent System Operator met in Boston last week to discuss how to adapt to their growing reliance on natural gas generation, the lack of pipeline capacity, and inability of generators under ISO rules to make long-term gas supply deals with gas providers. The Boston Globe reported that one option would be greater resource diversity through imports of Canadian hydro, but that presents its own problems. According to the newspaper, Gordon van Welie, ISO-NE chairman, said he’s prepared to leave it up to the market to determine whether Canadian hydro, or other suppliers, should step in. But van Welie repeated his long-held view that market rules need to change so generators can make long-term gas purchase commitments, without which gas pipelines won’t expand their capacity in the region.

Read about the Northeast’s gas problems here.

FERC to hold special session Thursday on electric-gas coordination progress

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last Thursday announced it will hold a special two-hour meeting this Thursday with representatives from each regional transmission organization and independent system operator to discuss electric and natural gas coordination. The meeting, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT, follows the commission’s regularly-scheduled monthly meeting, which begins at 10 a.m. FERC says it wants to hear from the organized markets on their recent experiences trying to adapt operations to the realities of how gas markets work. The meeting comes in the context of a series of regional technical conferences since last year.

Check into FERC ‘s Thursday meeting on electric-gas coordination update.