A few energy-related news stories and opinion pieces we’ve been reading …

California

Coronavirus effect: California Gas Prices to Drop Amid Turmoil

The good news is that Californians are about to see prices dropping at the pump. The bad news is that’s because of an oil price war, plunging stock markets, and economic uncertainty caused by the new coronavirus. (San Francisco Chronicle, March 9)

PG&E Agrees to Settle $4 Billion Bankruptcy Dispute with FEMA

PG&E Corp. says it has resolved a major dispute with federal and state emergency agencies that have sought billions of dollars from the company as part of its bankruptcy case. (San Francisco Chronicle, March 10)

San Diego Community Energy Program Gets Official Certification

It was largely a formality, but the California Public Utilities Commission has officially certified San Diego Community Power, the five-city community choice aggregation program that plans to launch next year as an alternative to San Diego Gas & Electric when it comes to purchasing power for customers in San Diego, Chula Vista, La Mesa, Imperial Beach and Encinitas. (San Diego Union Tribune, March 12)

ISO Tests Prove Wind Can Play Major Role in Renewable Integration

In its continued drive to modernize and clean the electric grid, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) published a report proving that wind power plants can open another door for substantial amounts of renewables to be added to its resource mix while enhancing system reliability. (California ISO News Release, March 11)

Nation/World

The High Cost of Nuclear Jobs

I understand why Georgia Power is emphasizing the jobs created by the Vogtle nuclear power plant project. Many policymakers, and perhaps even some utility commissioners, view these jobs as a significant benefit. I’m happy for the workers who are employed on this impressive project.

But when I see 9,000 workers on site, and 800 permanent jobs, I don’t see job creation. I see high costs for ratepayers. (Energy Institute Blog, March 9)

Putting Solar in All the Wrong Places

If you were starting from scratch and could install the United States’ 22,500 MW of rooftop solar anywhere in the country, where would you put it? (Energy Institute at Blog, February 3)