My archnemesis is 12 for its last 12. | Shutterstock

June 14, 2024

As someone who absolutely despises heat and humidity and wishes every day was 72 and breezy, this next bit of news does not sit well with me.

NASA recently confirmed that this May was the hottest May on record — marking the 12th consecutive month an average monthly temperature record has been set. Not coincidentally, the last 10 consecutive years have been the warmest since record-keeping began in the late 19th century. On average, the temps have been 2.34 degrees Fahrenheit above the 1951-1980 baseline. No time like the present, eh? Well, not for us heat haters. 

Now, I’m not going to stand on my email soapbox and blame particular things for the rise in temperatures. All I am going to say is: Everyone … KNOCK IT OFF! Getting hot physically makes me hot mentally. And you wouldn’t like me when I am angry. 

Now, see what RTO Insider news is heating up the energy world: 

• A FERC administrative law judge found that Basin Electric Power Cooperative improperly included the costs of a for-profit gasification business in its wholesale electricity rates. James Downing reports on the scathing initial decision, as well as … 

• … the Senate confirming Judy Chang to a five-year term at FERC, meaning the commission will be at a full complement of five members even after Commissioner Allison Clements leaves at the end of this month. 

• The 2024 Mid-America Regulatory Conference showcased a tug-of-war of positivity and cynicism over meeting growing demand with a fleet that should evolve faster to meet clean energy goals. Amanda Durish Cook was in the room in Minneapolis. 

• Artificial intelligence may be driving new energy demand from hyperscale data centers, but it could also help find new solutions to meet that demand. K Kaufmann heard that and more at the Clean Energy Transition Conference in D.C. 

• FERC said WAPA’s non-jurisdictional Open Access Transmission Tariff does not meet the standard of an “acceptable reciprocity tariff,” despite recent revisions that the federal power marketing administration incorporated into the tariff. Robert Mullin breaks down the ruling. 

• Arizona regulators are under fire for decisions on the expansion of a UNS gas-fired plant and third-party IRP audits. Elaine Goodman has the details. 

Lastly, we have news from other sources: 

• “NYC Council looks for carveouts to building emissions law as owners face costly upgrades,” Gothamist 

• “Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown backs GOP plan to overturn latest clean power plant rules,” Cleveland.com 

• “Maryland PSC Denies Much of Pepco’s Rate Increase Request, Approves $44.6 Million Hike,” T&D World 

From everyone at RTO Insider, thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your day! Also, be sure to check out our latest news from NetZero Insider below!

Shawn McFarland  

The latest from ERO Insider:

• NERC: ITCS to Become 'Roadmap' for Grid Studies
  

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