Energy Management

OMA Energy Group Files to Intervene in Amazon Electricity Case

The OMA Energy Group (OMAEG) has filed a motion to intervene in the Unique Economic Development Arrangement filed at the PUCO by AEP and Vadata, Inc. (an affiliate of Amazon Web Services).

The price concession was requested as part of Vadata’s plan to build and operate “cloud computing data centers” at three Ohio locations.

OMAEG intervened in order to ensure that the requested reasonable arrangement appropriately balances any purported benefits to the state and local economies with the costs required to achieve such benefits. 

ITC to Act on Photovoltaic Panel Trade Case

OMA Connections Partner, Jones Day, posted about a trade issue in the photovoltaic industry: “A recent decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) could have long-term consequences for the U.S. solar industry. On September 22, 2017, the ITC found, by a vote of 4-0, that rising imports have caused “serious injury” to domestic manufacturers of solar photovoltaic (“PV”) panels, thus supporting trade barriers restricting solar panel imports. The ITC will now have until mid-November 2017 to recommend remedies to President Trump, who may exercise his sole discretion in determining which safeguards are to be implemented.”

Jones Day also wrote: “Solar project developers and installation companies, which have benefitted from the rapid decline in solar PV panel prices, lined up in opposition to the case. They argued that increasing the price of panels would jeopardize the development of dozens of gigawatts of solar generation facilities and lead to tens of thousands of lost jobs. …”

Read more from Jones Day here. 9/26/2017

GM Plants to Run on 100% Renewable Power

All of GM’s Ohio and Indiana manufacturing facilities will meet their electricity needs with 100% renewable energy by the end of 2018 according to this announcement by General Motors Corporation this week.

GM is buying a total of 200 megawatts of wind energy from Ohio and Illinois wind farms. Once the turbines come online by the end of 2018, renewable energy will power 20% of GM’s global electricity use.

The new wind deals are enough to meet the electricity needs of Fort Wayne Assembly, Marion Metal Center and Bedford Casting plants in Indiana and Lordstown Assembly, Defiance Casting Operations, Parma Metal Center and Toledo Transmission plants in Ohio.

GM is an OMA member. 9/28/2017

OMA’s Sustainability Peer Network Tours Honda

This week the OMA Sustainability Peer Network (SPN) toured Honda’s Marysville Automobile Manufacturing plant. The sold-out tour focused on Honda’s sustainability projects and initiatives.

The SPN plans an in-person meeting on Wednesday, December 6 to discuss manufacturer-driven initiatives and reduction goals with respect to greenhouse gases. There will be a panel of subject matter experts and group discussion.

Watch Leadership Briefing for details and registration information. Or email us here to make sure we send you the details directly. 9/21/2017

Legislator Proposes Reduced Wind Setbacks

Senator Cliff Hite (R-Findlay) introduced Senate Bill 188 which would reduce the property line setback for large-scale wind farm developments.

Touting the economic and energy benefits of wind farms that have already been approved and constructed in his northwestern Ohio district, Senator Hite said in this news release: “The current policy is contrary to Ohio’s reputation as a business-friendly environment and an energy-producing state. It prevents businesses with an interest in gaining access to and investing in wind energy in Ohio from doing so.” 9/21/2017

Amazon Affiliate Files for Price Concession

AEP and Vadata, Inc. (an affiliate of Amazon Web Services) filed a joint application for a Unique Economic Development Arrangement as part of Vadata’s plan to build and operate “cloud computing data centers” at three Ohio locations.

The arrangement proposes to significantly discount the amount that Vadata must pay under riders that are calculated on a kWh basis, with the discounts escalating as Vadata develops more data centers, and to exempt Vadata completely from the obligation to pay other riders.

Although the arrangement purports to offer Vadata these incentives without requiring other AEP customers to pay forgone revenue, the arrangement will likely shift revenue responsibility to other customers paying the same riders.

Members of the OMA Energy Group will review the application and determine a position on the matter. Contact Ryan Augsburger to learn more about the OMA Energy Group. 9/14/2017

FERC Approves Partial Operation of Rover Pipeline

Last week the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved Rover’s request to put Phase 1A of the Rover Pipeline into active operation.

As a result of the approval the pipeline will commence transmission of natural gas services using its 191 mile, 42 inch diameter mainline from Carroll County to Defiance County. A second mainline remains under construction.

FERC also permitted Rover to use 3.5 miles of a 30 inch diameter pipeline in Harrison County and 18.6 miles of 42 inch diameter pipeline connecting Harrison County to Carroll County. 9/7/2017

FERC Approves Nexus Pipeline

Hannah News Services, Inc. reported: “The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has authorized Nexus Gas Transmission LLC to construct an approximately 255-mile pipeline, the majority of which will be built in Ohio.

“The pipeline will originate at the Kensington Processing Plant in Columbiana County, extending through Ohio and connecting with DTE Gas in Washtenaw County, MI. The project will include about 209.8 miles of new 36-inch dimeter pipeline in Columbiana, Stark, Summit, Wayne, Medina, Lorain, Huron, Erie, Sandusky, Wood, Lucas, Henry and Fulton counties. …

“There will be compressor stations located in Columbiana, Medina, Sandusky and Lucas counties. The entire project is expected to cost nearly $2.1 billion.

“Once the project is completed sometime in 2018, the pipeline will have the capacity to deliver approximately 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to markets in Ohio, Michigan and Ontario, according to a statement from the company, which is jointly owned by DTE Energy and Spectra Energy Partners.”

Read the Nexus media advisory here. 8/30/2017

Mapping Geologic Capacity for Natural Gas Liquid Storage

“It is no secret that the region around Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania has abundant natural gas resources, but can the three states uncover the keys to turning those resources into economic growth? West Virginia University-led research may have some of the answers,” writes JobsOhio in a release this week.

The university just released a study that shows how the region can support natural gas liquid storage facilities that are critical for attracting petrochemical and related industries to the area. Researchers from the geological surveys in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio studied geologic formations that could offer suitable locations for developers to build underground facilities to store natural gas liquids from Marcellus and Utica wells.

Storage capacity is seen as critical to positioning the tri-state area for investments in crackers and other petrochemical facilities. 8/31/2017

Poll Shows Ohioans Support Clean Energy

A recent statewide survey shows Ohioans overwhelmingly support policies that increase energy efficiency and encourage expanded use of renewables. The poll was commissioned by the Nature Conservancy in Ohio and conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, the nation’s largest Republican polling firm.

Pollster Lori Weigel said the poll is largely consistent with recent polls conducted on the subject, noting that support for renewables and energy efficiency is increasing. She said support for renewable policies crosses partisan lines. 8/31/2017