A round-up of news from the PJM Market Implementation Committeee on Jan. 8, 2015.

FERC approved rule changes allowing ISO-NE grid operators to fully integrate demand response into their wholesale markets.

PJM generation owners conducted winter preparation tests of 156 infrequently used power plants between Dec. 5 and Jan. 2.

PJM will seek stakeholders’ input on ways to encourage interconnection customers to file their requests earlier, officials told the Planning Committee.

Duke plans to make its first substantial purchase of solar power in Indiana, giving customers the option to buy “locally sourced” solar energy credits.

News briefs on companies doing business with RTOs. This week we include Duke, FirstEnergy, Dominion, Entergy, MDU Resources, Minwind Energy and NextEra.

Negotiations that could determine the future of the R.E. Ginna nuclear plant in upstate New York are set to conclude this week.

Illinois officials last week offered a list of options for keeping Exelon’s nuclear plants running, including a carbon tax and a cap-and-trade program.

The EPA will delay its three proposed carbon emission rules until mid-summer, as it coordinates their release to address new, existing and modified power plants during the same time frame.

This week, we welcome David Cruthirds to the RTO Insider team with his first of hopefully many columns, providing insight into MISO and Southern Co.