05/15/2013 - Dodd-Frank Update: CFTC ISO/RTO Exemptive Order
On March 28, 2013, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) issued a final order exempting specified transactions by certain regional transmission organizations (“RTO”) and independent system operators (“ISO”) from all but the general anti-fraud and anti-manipulation prohibitions of the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) and related CFTC regulations promulgated thereunder (“Exemptive Order”).

12/16/2011 - San Antonio Express-News Guest Column: Incentives needed to bring power generation to Texas
Newsflash: Texas is in a drought, reservoirs are near all-time lows, and average temperatures are on the rise.

07/26/2011 - North American Windpower Guest Article: Market Headwinds Persist For U.S. Wind Capital
Texas is the wind energy capital of the U.S., with more than 10 GW of installed wind capacity. Following the implementation of the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ) process, additional transmission capacity will be available to support another 8 GW of generation. All of this has been beneficial to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), with wind generation driving down the cost of electricity.

02/23/2011 - Integration of Renewables in ERCOT: Costs, Project Risks and New Regulatory Requirements
Texas is the wind energy capitol of the United States with far more wind generation than any other market. The development of wind generation, and having wind developers locate their headquarters in Texas, has given the Texas economy a much-needed boost and has allowed Texas to take advantage of its world class wind resources.

02/09/2011 - Wiring Around Carbon: Implications of Transmission Pricing Mechanisms and Smart Grid
Renewable energy in the form of utility scale wind and solar are best sited in the areas where the load profile is best - the solar belt for solar generation, and areas with high capacity factors for wind generation. The best areas for development of these resources are remote areas that lack access to transmission.

08/02/2010 - Developers who anted up deserve power line priority
In parts of West Texas, wind turbines extend across rocky mesas as far as the eye can see, turning otherwise unproductive land into a source of clean, renewable energy. Our state has world-class wind resources, and wind developers want to expand generation into the area of the state with the best wind resource.

07/31/2010 - Diana Liebmann Guest Blog: How to bring transmission lines to windy West Texas
In parts of West Texas, wind turbines extend across rocky mesas as far as the eye can see, turning otherwise unproductive land into a source of clean, renewable energy. Our state has world-class wind resources, and wind developers want to expand generation into the area of the state with the best wind resource. There has been just one problem: The Panhandle lacks transmission lines to carry the power generated by wind to consumers around Texas.

06/04/2009 - Recent Developments in Texas and United States Energy Law
This section of Recent Developments in Texas and United States Energy Law consists of selected discussions and articles regarding recent case law, legislation, and regulations that affect the energy industry.

Wholesale Electric Power Transactions in Restructured ERCOT

Contracting for Power in a Deregulated Market

Power Restructuring Experience In California Will Not Occur In Texas