Deregulation

October 19, 2020

U.S Takes Steps to Secure Supplies of Rare Earth Minerals Critical for Energy Independence

“The United States now imports 80% of its rare earth minerals directly from China.” That was the startling fact included in President Trump’s Executive Order published last month directing the Secretary of the Interior to “…investigate our Nation’s undue reliance on critical minerals…from foreign adversaries.” Since 2010 we’ve discussed the […]
October 8, 2020

How Will the Golden State Meet Its EV Dreams?

On September 23rd, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order ending the sale of new gas-burning cars in the state by 2035. Environmentalists and carmakers praised the move, but many experts say the celebration is premature. The adoption of electric vehicles (EV) is a good thing and Energy Fairness […]
October 6, 2020

Russian Hackers Target Grid

In May, we wrote about President Trump’s “Securing the United States Bulk-Power System” executive order. The order directed the Department of Energy to take steps to defend the U.S. bulk-power system against attacks – cyber and otherwise. The action didn’t come a moment too soon. Why? Because Russia’s GRU military […]
September 29, 2020

In Extreme Heat and Catastrophic Wildfires, Natural Gas Keeps California’s Lights On

“Solar power plunges as smoke shrouds Calif.” “Wildfire Smoke Decreases California Solar Energy Output.” “When Smoke Blotted Out the Sun, Rooftop Solar Dithered.” These were just some of the headlines detailing how California dealt with rolling blackouts during an unprecedented period of extreme heat and catastrophic wildfires. Last month, we wrote about California’s blackouts. Without a […]
September 24, 2020

Op-ed: Bringing the Miracle of Electricity to Bolivia

Energy Fairness board member, Shawn Taylor, recounts his trip with NRECA International (an affiliate of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association) to electrify a rural Bolivian village. As author Ted Case notes in his book Power Plays, President Kennedy put such stock in bringing electricity to the developing world that […]
September 23, 2020

Oil and gas production ban would hurt New Mexico

ICYMI: Energy Fairness Executive Director Paul Griffin authored an article in the Las Cruces Sun News discussing the damaging effects an oil and gas ban would have on New Mexico’s economy. The original piece can be viewed here. With election season in full swing, some politicians, notably presidential hopeful Joe Biden, think […]
September 16, 2020

Small Scale Nuclear Could Be a Big Deal

We’ve written extensively about the need for new nuclear technologies to help reach global carbon reduction targets. Recently, Oregon-based nuclear startup company, NuScale, received the go-ahead to build the world’s first small modular nuclear reactor (SMR). This approval represents a significant milestone for new nuclear technology. In the past, nuclear […]
September 11, 2020

Flight 93: Electric Co-op Heroes on a Day of National Tragedy

September 11, 2001, is a day that we will always remember. As we remember the heroes and the tragedy of that day, we offer a conversation. Last year, Energy Fairness Executive Director Paul Griffin had the opportunity to speak to Rich Bauer, President and CEO of Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, […]
September 4, 2020

The D.C. Intertie: A Lifeline to California and An Engineering Marvel

It’s been just over 50 years since Neil Armstrong took man’s first steps on the moon, uttering the memorable phrase – “that’s one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind.” His words put the final stamp on a phenomenal engineering achievement first presented as a challenge to […]
August 31, 2020

Golden State Study Highlights Inequities in Roof-Top Solar

Earlier this month, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) released an independent report detailing how its ratepayers without rooftop solar subsidize its customers with rooftop solar systems at a rate between $25 million and $41 million annually. In a nutshell, the report found that “while net-metered [rooftop] solar provides a […]
August 28, 2020

Shawn Taylor Brings Western Presence to Energy Fairness Board

Washington, DC — Today, the Energy Fairness board announced that Shawn Taylor, Executive Director of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association (WREA), will fill an open position on the board made vacant through the recent resignation of Bill Verner. Verner recently retired after serving a 35 year-plus tenure at the non-profit […]
August 25, 2020

Fossil Fuel Boycotts: Dangerous & Illegal

We’ve written many times about the dangers of America’s largest financial institutions picking winners and losers for energy development, but the trend has sadly continued. Banks are continuing to withhold funding for oil and gas projects, and it is quickly becoming clear that these actions may be illegal. Federal anti-trust […]
July 31, 2017

Choice, Consequences, and Consumers

PACE was on the road in July, covering national meetings of state legislators such as the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Southern States Energy Board, and the Council of State Governments’ Southern Legislative Conference. It was a privilege to hear hours of thoughtful discussions and be reminded how hard our […]
August 23, 2017

Energy Headlines Abroad - U.K. and Mexico

Energy Issues Facing Neighbors and Friends Upon returning from a great road trip around the Southeast, it seemed appropriate to look abroad at global energy news. As we all pack up the beach gear and prepare to resume work or school, I hope you can find some use in what […]
November 28, 2017

The Disaster of Deregulation

Earlier this year, PACE shared some thoughts about deregulation of the electric power retail markets and why it doesn’t make sense for consumers. With state legislatures across the country gearing up for 2018 sessions, it seems timely to touch on the topic again. When it comes to deregulating (or restructuring) […]
December 7, 2017

Energy Retail Deregulation Wrong Fit for Florida

This week, PACE was on the road in Tallahassee, visiting with several members of the Florida legislature and learning about energy issues likely to arise in the 2018 session. As always, it was enjoyable to be outside the D.C. beltway, with warmer temperatures and fresh Gulf seafood all around. Snow […]
January 11, 2018

PACE Continues Florida Engagement on Deregulation

On Friday, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission will once again examine deregulation of the wholesale and retail electricity markets. PACE will testify, as we did in December, to share our views and research on why deregulation doesn’t work for consumers. Dear Chair Thurlow-Lippisch: Thank you for reconvening the General Provisions […]
January 31, 2018

Florida Energy Consumers Win

Common sense prevailed earlier this month at a brief, but important meeting of Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission (CRC). Under extraordinary pressure, five members of the General Provisions Committee did the right thing and rejected a measure that sought to force drastic changes to the state’s electricity landscape on a rigid […]