By Yann Brandt

What: Axios Energy and Climate Change Reporter, Amy Harder, Joins SolarWakeup To Talk Politics and Energy Markets

Summary: Amy Harder joined Axios from the Wall Street Journal and writes the Harder Line, part of Axios’ coverage of the energy space. Amy is well versed on the politics of energy and has been based in DC for over 10 years. She joins Yann in this recorded interview from SolarWakeup Live! to talk about coal and nuclear bailouts, COP proceedings in Bonn and impacts of jobs in the solar debate.

SolarWakeup View: Amy is not a solar reporter and rarely takes pitches from companies. Her short form, no nonsense reporting doesn’t skirt the heart of the issue. In this conversation I ask Amy about the ongoing solar trade case, bills that are floating in Congress and how she will report on the solar trade rallies (she didn’t). This is a small way of leaving the echo chamber by talking with a well known, well connected and straight forward energy reporter.

Related: Audio Podcast / Video Recording

Please review the podcast on itunes.com/energywakeup

Make sure to check out SolarWakeup Live! in New York on 1/31.

If you enjoyed this episode as much as I did, make sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform including iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher radio. Please subscribe and share with your friends how much EnergyWakeup is helping you.

By Yann Brandt

What: FERC rejects Rick Perry’s proposed rule, initiates new proceeding

Summary: Rick Perry had proposed a rule (NOPR) which would require regional wholesale power markets to pay subsidies to coal and nuclear power plants based on their ability to stockpile 90 day supply of fuel at the power plant. New FERC Chairman, Kevin McIntyre, had previously delayed the NOPR proceedings and with this ruling terminated it altogether. FERC has asked power markets to provide information on whether FERC needs to take additional action on resilience in build power systems.

SolarWakeup View: We spoke to former FERC Chairman, Jon Wellinghoff, about the NOPR and his opinion that it was unnecessary. Resiliency is based on the weakest link which occurs at the last mile of distribution lines, wood poles and such. The NOPR filed by Rick Perry was largely viewed as a last gasp effort to subsidize coal power plants in wholesale markets struggling to keep up with natural gas and renewable energy pricing. ISOs and RTOs were mostly against the NOPR and should be expected to tell FERC that no rule regarding resiliency is required.

Related: FERC Terminates DOE NOPR

What: EEI Members Activate Help For Puerto Rico After 100 Days, Barges With Trucks En Route

Impact: Over 1million Americans in Puerto Rico have been without power since Hurricane Maria struck on September 20^th, 2017. On December 11^th, utility groups, EEI, NRECA and APPA, signed an MOU with PREPA to render aid for reconstruction on a not for profit basis. The MOU, signed on December 8^th started the flow of equipment to Puerto Rico. Equipment from around the Country started their shipment to Puerto Rico on barges originating in ports across the Gulf and Eastern seaports.

SolarWakeup View: Compared to Hurricane Irma preparation, where thousands of personnel and equipment were staged ahead of the storm, response to Hurricane Maria has been a lot more muted. Only 2.5 months after the storm hit, was an agreement put in place between the mainland utilities and PREPA – which has financial issues that could be at the root of this. Fault is aligned across the board, from PREPA to Congress and the utilities. Solar companies responded exponentially faster than the utilities, some of which are now using the news for positive social media postings.

Related: SolarWakeup spoke with Puerto Rico’s sole congressional representative, Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon, Utility news about MOU and EEI Facebook feed

In this episode of SolarWakeup Live! I interview Puerto Rico’s only representative in Congress, Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon about the state of the electric grid in Puerto Rico after the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. Gonzalez-Colon explains what the future was supposed to be in Puerto Rico with legislation she sponsors as the Speaker of the House in PR before coming to DC.

Gonzalez-Colon outlines her vision for PREPA and how to restore credit to the energy market in Puerto Rico. She has been busy bringing members of the House and Senate to Puerto Rico to visit the devastation and keep the Americans living without power (for over 90 days now) at the front of mind.

You can help as well through the Solar Foundations by visiting solarsaveslives.org

Please review the podcast on itunes.com/energywakeup

Make sure to check out SolarWakeup Live! in New York on 1/31.

If you enjoyed this episode as much as I did, make sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform including iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher radio. Please subscribe and share with your friends how much EnergyWakeup is helping you.