David Cruthirds brings this report from the Gulf Coast Power Association’s Feb. 5 special briefing: “Challenges & Changes in Energy on the Bayou.” Among the topics discussed were Entergy’s growth plans, Year 1 in MISO South and the RTO’s ongoing seams battles.

The Virginia General Assembly passed a bill that would temporarily suspend the State Corporation Commission’s review of Dominion Virginia Power’s rates.

A Virginia Senate subcommittee has passed a bill that would freeze Dominion Virginia Power customers’ base rates and bar state regulators from reviewing the utility’s revenue until after 2020.

FERC will have a vital role in implementing the EPA’s Clean Power Plan but won’t take sides in ideological debates, Chairman Cheryl LaFleur said.

Some coal-fired power plants at risk of retirement under the EPA’s carbon emission rule could survive thanks to renewable energy, according to a PJM study.

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.

FERC will hold four technical conferences next year to discuss the effects of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan on reliability and wholesale electricity markets.

Utilities and independent power producers said the EPA should delay or eliminate the interim goals in its proposed Clean Power Plan.

Janet McCabe said last week that the EPA had met with more than 300 groups since releasing its proposed Clean Power Plan in June.

RGGI generally supported the EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan and suggested other areas of the country could follow its lead.