On December 12, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the “Service”) published notice in the Federal Register of a proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”). The proposed rule
Renewable + Law
The Climate Policy, Renewable Energy, & Sustainability Blog
The Renewable + Law blog, published by Stoel Rives LLP, focuses on legal developments and regulatory issues in the renewable energy sector. It covers topics such as solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project development, interconnection processes, regional energy market reforms, land use and permitting challenges, and federal and state regulatory decisions impacting renewable energy projects. The blog also addresses legislative updates, court rulings on energy capacity definitions, and local ordinances affecting renewable infrastructure. It serves as a resource for understanding the intersection of energy law, policy, and project implementation within the evolving renewable energy landscape.
Latest from Renewable + Law - Page 3
PG&E Proposes New Electric Rule No. 30 for Transmission Level Electric Retail Service in Response to Rapid Increase in Transmission Level Demand and Data Centers
On November 21, 2024, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) filed an application at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC or Commission) seeking approval of a new Electric Rule No. 30 (Electric Rule 30) to address the interconnection of non-residential…
FERC Issues Order Expanding Findings Related to Non-Independent Directors and Affiliation
On September 6, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) issued an order finding that the presence of a non-independent director, i.e., one who is affiliated with an investor, on the board of directors of a public utility…
Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council Finalizes Rulemaking to Clarify Contested Case Procedures for Energy Projects
The Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) recently finalized rules clarifying its contested case procedures for energy project siting. These updates aim to improve clarity, align procedures with broader administrative rules, and address participation criteria for stakeholders. A contested case…
CAISO Interconnection Process Enhancements Proposal Faces Protest at FERC
CAISO’s Interconnection Process Enhancements proposal faces protests from independent power producers, clean energy organizations, and renewable energy developers at FERC. Challengers claim that CAISO’s scoring criteria provide undue influence to load-serving entities (LSEs) and may violate principles of open access.…
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Issues Final Rule Affecting Take Permits Under the Endangered Species Act
This post was co-authored by Stoel Rives summer associate Ryan Laws.
On April 12, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) published notice in the Federal Register of a final rule (89 Fed. Reg. 26070) that amends regulations regarding the…
Council on Environmental Quality Publishes Final Rule Substantially Amending NEPA
This post was co-authored by Stoel Rives summer associate Connor McRobert.
On May 1, 2024, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) published notice in the Federal Register of a final rule amending its regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy…
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Issues Long-Awaited Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation Final Rule
On May 13, 2024, at a special transmission reform meeting, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) issued Order No. 1920 “Building for the Future Through Electric Regional Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation” (Final Rule).[1] The Final…
CAISO Releases Addendum to Interconnection Process Enhancements Final Proposal Ahead of Board of Governors Meeting
On Thursday, May 9, 2024, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) issued an addendum to its Interconnection Process Enhancements (IPE) Track 2 Final Proposal, and issued a revised version of that addendum on May 17. Track 2 focuses on modifications…
Stakeholders Express Concern That CAISO’s Interconnection Scoring Criteria May Prioritize Load-Serving Entity Selection
Background
The California Independent System Operator’s (CAISO) recently issued Interconnection Process Enhancements (IPE) final proposal[1] provides heightened requirements to complete an interconnection request and relies on scoring criteria to determine which projects advance to the interconnection study process. Due…