GCPA News

Texas PUC Approves ETT Application to Build Laredo-to-Rio Grande Valley Transmission Line

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) unanimously approved May 9 an application by Electric Transmission Texas, LLC (ETT) for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) to build a 345-kV transmission line from the Laredo area into the Rio Grande Valley.

PUC announces June 27 workshop on Back Cast of Interim Solution B+ to Improve Real-Time Scarcity Pricing

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Public Utility Commission of Texas will hold a workshop on Project No. 40000, Commission Proceeding to Ensure Resource Adequacy in Texas. The workshop will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in the Commissioners' Hearing Room at the Commission offices at 1701 N. Congress, 7th floor, Austin, Texas 78701.

New ERCOT Pilot Program Offers Incentives To Reduce Electric Use During Summer Peaks

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Board of Directors at its March meeting approved a pilot for the upcoming summer that will expand its options to reduce electric use during peak summer conditions when demand is high and power supplies are tight.

ERCOT Names Brad Jones and Ken McIntyre as New Vice Presidents

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

ERCOT named Brad Jones as vice president of Commercial Operations, overseeing Market Operations, Settlement and Retail Operations, Market Design and Development, and Client Relations.

John Stauffacher Named 2013 GCPA Power Star Award Recipient

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The GCPA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has selected John Stauffacher as the 2013 recipient of the GCPA Pat Wood Power Star Award. This award is presented annually in recognition of the honoree's significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas.

Spring Conference Keynoter Commissioner Clark Reflects on Top FERC Issues

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The newest FERC Commissioner Tony Clark who will be a keynoter at GCPA's Spring 2013 Conference says that he does not want to pick one area of energy regulation to focus on during his term.

2012 Energy Use in ERCOT Region down nearly 3 Percent from 2011

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Electric use in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region decreased 2.7 percent in 2012 compared to consumption in 2011, which included the state’s hottest summer on record.

Wind Power Credit Tied to Budget Deal

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Senate and House negotiators have added a one-year extension of the federal tax credit for wind-power manufacturers to the tax-and-spending deal Monday that lawmakers hoped would keep the federal budget from going over the "fiscal cliff" of automatic higher taxes and spending cuts.

NRG Drops Plan for Additional 800 MW Coal Unit at Limestone

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

NRG is seeking permits to build two large natural gas units, each with a capacity similar to the cancelled coal unit, but has no plans to build them until the price signals in the ERCOT provide more financial incentives to make the commitment.

Entergy Operating Companies File Executed Transmission Owner Agreements with MISO

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

After receiving state regulatory approval for each operating company, Entergy has executed Transmission Owner agreements with MISO. Entergy appears to be on track to switch to MISO a year from now in December 2013.

November Wind Generation Output Sets Records Across the Wind Belt

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

It's not only ERCOT. SPP sets record on 5215 MWs of wind on November 17th. Xcel Energy’s utility system in Colorado frequently obtains more than 55% of its electricity from wind energy. For all of 2011, wind energy provided about 20% of the electricity produced in Iowa and South Dakota.

South Texas Nuclear Unit Shut Down for Refueling

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The South Texas Project (STP) has started a scheduled refueling and maintenance outage of Unit 1, the South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Co.

Brattle Report Details ERCOT Market Design Options to Increase Resources

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Brattle Group has submitted its report outlining market design options facing the PUC. Revised ERCOT reserve calculations were also filed.

Calpine to Purchase 800 MW Bosque Power Plant for $432 Million

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Calpine Corporation (NYSE:CPN) has agreed to purchase the 800 megawatt power plant owned by Bosque Power Co., LLC, for $432 million plus adjustments, or approximately $540 per kilowatt.

Report Recommends Austin Sell Its Stake in Coal-Fired Power Plant

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Austin Energy unveiled a much-anticipated report on Monday that concluded it could replace its share of the coal-fired Fayette power plant with a natural gas facility at reasonable cost to the city.

ERCOT Anticipates Sufficient Generation Resources for Upcoming Fall and Winter

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A new Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy (SARA) released today by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) anticipates that there will be enough power available to serve consumer needs within the ERCOT grid during the upcoming fall.

NRG & GenOn Announce Merger

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The merger will create the largest competitive power generation company in the U.S.

Panda Power Moves Quickly to Build New Texas Power Plant

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

With Texas facing power shortages as demand grows, regulators are working to encourage power-plant construction.

EPA Proposes Approval of Texas Clean AIr Plan

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Proposed agreement could allow the TCEQ continued flexibility in the enforcement of the federal Clean Air Act’s New Source Review (NSR) program.

PUC and ERCOT Respond to The Brattle Group Report on Resource Adequacy

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Brattle Group has issued a news release regarding its new report on ERCOT resource adequacy. ERCOT and PUC have responded to the report.