Mark C. Williams
New Jersey Delays Its Next Offshore Wind Solicitation for Transmission Planning
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) announced that its third solicitation with a capacity target of 1,200 megawatts for New Jersey’s offshore wind (OSW) development will now be released by January 2023, instead of the previously announced September 2022 date, to account for its ongoing transmission-planning efforts.
NJBPU’s updated timeline takes into consideration…
Jolting the Grid: US DOE Begins Implementing Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
On January 13, 2022, the US Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of intent regarding its Building a Better Grid Initiative (Initiative), an effort to encourage the modernization of the nation’s existing electric transmission grid. The Initiative is the beginning of a rulemaking process required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Act), which…
Texas Commission Proposes New Generator, Utility Weather Requirements and Opens Fast-Track Rulemaking Proceeding

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) has issued draft regulations to implement new electric weather-related requirements set forth in Texas Senate Bill 3, which was enacted in response to what the PUCT described as the February 1-5, 2021, “Southwest Cold Weather Event.” This Legal Update discusses the two-phase approach the PUCT has proposed.
US FERC Announces New Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission

On June 17, 2021, the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order establishing a new Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission, calling for nominations for state commission representation on it, setting forth preliminary details of it and identifying topics for it to consider. The Legal Update at the link below provides…
Critical Pipeline Cybersecurity Directive Released

In the wake of the May 2021 ransomware attack on a major US oil pipeline, the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has released a security directive (the “TSA Directive”) to better “identify, protect against, and respond to threats to critical companies in the pipeline sector.” The TSA Directive was released on May…
Texas Bills Would Burden Renewable Generation
More Polar Vortex 2021 Fallout: 2nd PUCT Commr. Resigns, Lt. Gov. Call on PUCT or ERCOT to “Fix” $16B “Error”
More 2021 Polar Vortex Fallout: The Texas Two-Step (aka the Hot Potato) between PUC Oversight and ERCOT Market Protocols

In the now obviously challenged Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) power market, a strange dance recently occurred. On February 21, 2021, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), which oversees ERCOT, issued an order authorizing ERCOT to use its sole discretion in taking actions under the ERCOT Nodal Protocols to resolve financial obligations between…
Déjà Vu All Over Again: US FERC Announces New Proceeding to Examine Electric Reliability in the Face of Climate Change
On February 22, 2021, the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced its intention to open a new proceeding to examine the threat that climate change and extreme weather events pose to electric reliability. The proceeding will examine how grid operators prepare for and respond to extreme weather events, including, but not limited to,…