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- Making sense of FERC Order 1920 // $2.7 billion for domestic uranium // Xcel releases wildfire plant
Making sense of FERC Order 1920 // $2.7 billion for domestic uranium // Xcel releases wildfire plant
Jeff Luse
July 03, 2024
Welcome to Grid Brief! Here’s what we’re looking at today: what to make of FERC Order 1920, DOE invests in domestic uranium production, Xcel unveils wildfire plan
Understanding FERC Order 1920
Devin Hartman of the R Street Institute and Kent Chandler, a former chairman of the Kentucky Public Service Commission, penned a comprehensive op-ed in UtilityDive about Order 1920, which was finalized in May. While the rule has drawn the ire of some politicians, the authors argue that there are good parts of the rule:
“On [economic planning], the rule delivers. Order 1920 will drive planning over an appropriate time horizon, require scenario analysis to mitigate risk, and use higher-quality cost-benefit analysis as its basis. In short, Order 1920’s core thesis was spot on; reactive, piecemeal planning without economic process is resulting in far more expensive transmission expansion than proactive, comprehensive planning using economic methods.”
Read the full op-ed here.
Feds Open up $2.7 Billion for Enriched Uranium
Last week, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to purchase low-enriched uranium (LEU) from domestic sources. Under the RFP, DOE will buy domestically-sourced LEU and sell it to utilities operating America’s reactors.
DOE plans to award two contracts that will last up to 10 years. The announcement comes on the heels of the U.S. implementing a ban on Russian uranium.
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Conversation Starters
XCel unveils wildfire plan (Power Grid International)
After formally acknowledging its role in Texas’ largest wildfire to date, Xcel has proposed a wildfire plan for Colorado to reduce risk. The plan includes investing in new technologies and updating risk assessment methodologies.
Judge overturns Biden LNG export pause (E&E News)
A federal judge in Louisiana has overturned the Biden administration’s pause on future LNG exports, which was implemented in January. While some praised the move, the ruling could be overturned by an appellate court.
Aramco aims to boost gas production through 2030 (OilPrice)
Saudi state-owned Aramco plans to increase its natural gas production by 60% by 2030, investing heavily in LNG projects and the expansion of its Jafurah gas field.
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