Regulation and Legislation – Page 12 – Global Power Law & Policy

Collision of Cost of Safety and the Cost of Energy

Feb 05 2014

Last December, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) filed its cost of service and rate application for gas transportation and storage. This application was filed in the context of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) being under enormous pressure to increase its safety oversight of utilities, a $14.4 million fine imposed on PG&E for failing to notify regulators about incorrect records on a natural gas pipeline and a looming $2.2 billion fine for the 2010 San Bruno explosion. In this context, it is understandable that PG&E would be very sensitive to safety concerns and would seek to make capital expenditures to improve the safety of its gas transportation system. The catch, of course, is that when a utility spends money, rates go up. For PG&E, this is complicated even further by the risk that a $2.2 billion fine could increase PG&E’s cost of raising money to pay for the capital upgrades it wants to make. When rates go up, large consumers pay attention; and when rates go up a lot, everyone pays attention.

Dubai Government Launches Energy Initiative

Feb 04 2014

The other day I attended the launch of a new energy efficiency initiative in Dubai. The Government of Dubai has ambitions to achieve substantial savings in the consumption of energy and water over the next 15 years. It aims to encourage the retrofitting of some 30,000 government and private sector buildings and public areas with energy efficient appliances, equipment and materials covering lighting, cooling, water, industrial processes and building insulation. It is also targeting efficiencies in district cooling through regulation and greater system connectivity. To this end a new “ESCO” (Energy Service Company) industry is being created under the regulatory oversight of the Dubai Regulatory & Supervisory Bureau. As a catalyst for the evolution of this new market, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) has established Etihad ESCO, an ESCO that will help promote energy efficiency projects for government departments and agencies. Read More

Australian New Energy White Paper Process Commences

Jan 17 2014

The Australian Federal Government has taken its first step towards creating a new national energy policy by releasing an Energy Policy Issues Paper seeking stakeholder input on a range of priority areas. As signalled by the Coalition in its election campaign, regulatory reforms aimed at reducing electricity and gas costs for households and businesses will take centre stage in forthcoming Green and White Papers. Other key topics include measures to support export growth and foreign investment, increasing energy efficiency and ensuring long term security of energy supplies. Click here to read more.

Catagory:Regulation and Legislation