Planned Data Center Plant Faces Court Challenges

A plan to construct a 279-MW natural gas-fired plant for a developing data center on the grounds of a shuttered car factory is being challenged in the state’s Superior Court. The plant was described as being crucial to provide reliable power for the University of Delaware’s new state-of-the-art data center. But opponents are arguing that the site’s zoning doesn’t allow for such a power plant, and another challenge said the air emissions studies are flawed.

More: WDDE FM

MARYLAND

Dominion’s Cove Point LNG Terminal Gets PSC OK

With a major approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in its pocket, Dominion Resources passed another test when it received conditional approval for a 130-MW generating plant crucial to the operations of a proposed liquefied natural gas export terminal on the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland Public Service Commission authorized the plant but imposed nearly 180 conditions, including air and water quality monitoring, forest conservation, low-income energy assistance and $40 million for community programs and state renewable energy programs.

More: The Baltimore Sun

State Lawmakers Lean On Governor for Clean Air

More than 50 Maryland legislators signed a letter calling on the state Department of the Environment to finalize regulations on smog and fine particle pollution from power plants.

Twelve counties regularly fail federal air quality standards for smog. The state is mandated to set limits on air pollution from coal-fired power plants and other emitters and to require that they use the best available emission control technology. “Coal plants in Maryland are the largest individual sources of air pollution and in many cases lack modern pollution-cutting technology,” read the letter, which was addressed to Gov. Martin O’Malley. “We urge you now to follow through on your commitment to public health and direct [the department] to expeditiously finalize — not delay or weaken — the proposed regulations that will protect our children.”

More: Sierra Club

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Solar Farms Getting Bigger

Ashville-based Innovative Solar Systems says it wants to start constructing large-scale solar farms in the state. North Carolina ranks fourth among states in installed solar capacity, but most of its projects are 5 MW or smaller.

Innovative Solar Systems is proposing 12 solar farms of between 25 and 80 MW, most of them in the eastern section of the state. The projects are still in the planning stage and will need large tracts of farmland, interconnection agreements and purchase power agreements. Taken in whole, Innovative’s planned projects will produce about 620 MW.

North Carolina provides a bullish solar energy climate, with green-energy mandates and tax credits.

More: The Charlotte Observer

PENNSYLVANIA

PUC’s Powelson Steps Down from Energy Group

Robert Powelson, chairman of the state Public Utility Commission, resigned from an energy-lobbying group last week over conflict-of-interest allegations.

A dispute over Powelson’s unpaid role as a member of the Greater Philadelphia Energy Action Team arose as the PUC was being asked to rule on Sunoco Logistics’ request to expand a natural gas pumping station in Chester County. The chairman of the advocacy group is Phil Rinaldi, CEO of Philadelphia Energy Solutions LLC, which lists Sunoco Inc. as a minority partner.

The Energy Action Team has acted as a booster for energy projects and expansion projects, including some regulated by the PUC. State law does not forbid commission members from unpaid positions with advocacy groups. Powelson’s resignation letter said he had minimal interaction with the Energy Action Team.

More: The Daily Local

PUC Says PECO Needs To Improve Communications

The Public Utility Commission said PECO’s restoration work in the wake of a winter ice storm was up to standards but said the company needs to improve communications with customers during such events.

Adding to customer frustration over power outages were erroneous messages from the company indicating that power had been restored when it had not. “Many of the phone calls that we got … [were] that people were frustrated by the lack of information, or the inaccurate information, they were getting from the utilities, including PECO,” said PUC Spokeswoman Jennifer Kocher. The company has until September to respond to the report.

More: CBS News

WEST VIRGINIA

FirstEnergy Wants Hike To Fund Meter Reading

FirstEnergy wants to amend its recent rate hike increase request to cover the cost of complying with a Public Service Commission mandate to read its customers’ electric meters monthly. In April, it asked for a 13.95% increase for its Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison subsidiaries.

The PSC ordered the monthly readings to begin in July 2015. FirstEnergy hasn’t said how much more it is seeking to comply with the order but previously estimated the cost at $15 million.

While the commission has indicated it believes it reasonable for FirstEnergy to cover the costs with rate hikes, critics are not so sure. “FirstEnergy created the problems that customers were having with their bills, denied for months that there were any problems and blamed everyone but itself for the impact on customers,” said Keryn Newman of the Coalition for Reliable Power. “Yet the PSC says it’s ‘punitive’ for the company to pay the cost of getting its billing right. That makes no sense.”

More: The Charleston Gazette