Author: Kitty Turner

Despite the fears that data centers will cause a precipitous rise in electricity rates, there are clear examples demonstrating how these fears are unfounded or at best overstated.  The I&M Indiana rate case is only the latest example of how load growth can place downward (not upward) pressure on rates.  How is that possible?  Fundamentally, a rate is defined as read more…

There has been much negative chatter about how data centers are placing upward pressure on electricity rates.  However, filtering away the noise, there are many reasons for rising electricity rates that aren’t related to data centers.  The reality is that recent rate increases are primarily the result of past decisions that were intended to transform the electric utility industry by: read more…

The following is my commentary on recent energy-related articles published in the Wall Street Journal on August 22nd (“Why Solar and Wind Power Can Thrive Without Subsidies” – by Jinjoo Lee) and in Barron’s on August 25th (“Electricity Prices Are Surging. How the Political Fallout Could Hit Companies, Too” – by Avi Salzman). Although they address different issues, the discussions read more…

Yesterday, the EPA announced and issued a document initiating a rulemaking, which is summarized below: SUMMARY: In this action, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. The EPA is proposing that the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires it to make a finding that GHG emissions from read more…

Several industry groups have asserted that repealing the Clean Energy Tax Credits authorized under the (inaptly named) Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will cause electricity prices to increase. The pending House budget bill would begin phasing-out production tax credits and investment tax credits for facilities entering service beginning in 2029 (20%) through 2032 (80%). Thus, the existing credits would remain intact read more…

Below is an AI-generated summary of the clean energy tax credit provisions in the current version of the House Budget.  The key takeaway is that the tax credits would begin phasing out for projects placed in service in 2029.  However, the tax transferability provisions would be discontinued sooner, thereby limiting the options for utilities to monetize their earned tax credits.  read more…