The Latest
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Federal regulators approve transfer of Vermont Yankee nuke for decommissioning
Entergy will transfer the license to NorthStar, which has pledged to decommission and restore the site by 2030, 45 years earlier than Entergy's original plan.
Generation -
SponsoredHere's why your customers should be driving your refunds strategy
A refund system that puts customers at the center will address the three things they want most: speed, choice, and ease. These three takeaways could transform the way refunds happen.
Technology -
Duke proposes 150 MW green tariff program for South Carolina C&I customers
The program would allow nonresidential customers to contract for clean energy through the utility while leaving other consumers "financially neutral."
Solar & Renewables -
In a first, PG&E cuts power to 60,000 to prevent wildfires during wind storm
Planned outages during dry, windy conditions are the "last resort" in a wildfire prevention plan rolled out by the utility last year.
Transmission & Distribution -
Portland General Electric to develop 'smart grids' in 3 Oregon towns
The trio of smart grids will serve 20,000 customers, allowing them to respond to demand management signals and maximize renewable energy consumption.
Transmission & Distribution -
In bid to help bees, Xcel to require vegetation disclosure in solar RFPs
As pollinator-friendly solar sites become a growing trend, Xcel Minnesota becomes the first utility to require solar project bids disclose the type of vegetation they will be using at their sites.
Solar & Renewables -
California requires utilities to address pipeline methane leaks
The state now requires utilities to prioritize pipeline repairs that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, in contrast with Trump's EPA which is looking to ease oil and gas methane restrictions.
Transmission & Distribution -
Deep DiveCalifornia strives to nix its natural gas habit without letting the lights go out
The state relies on natural gas for reliability, but won't reach its 100% zero emissions goal without looking to alternatives.
Generation -
Port of Long Beach tests microgrid tech for critical operations
"This project will help us learn more about how to keep the power, and cargo, flowing," said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero.
Distributed Energy -
Nevada considers blockchain to track renewable credits
While some of the interest in blockchain technology is driven by a wider fad, the utility sector is considering using the distributed ledger technology to track renewable energy.
Solar & Renewables -
OpinionEnergy efficiency helps housing affordability, especially for low-income families
Left unchecked, rising energy costs can compromise the quality and long-term affordability of rental homes for low-income Californians, Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister and NRDC's Maria Stamas write.
Efficiency & Demand Response -
PJM CEO urges FERC to move on resilience as Trump coal bailout looms
A market-based rule for grid resilience would be preferable to a federal bailout, the head of the nation's largest wholesale power market told senators Thursday.
UPDATED: Oct. 15, 2018 at 10:04 a.m.
Generation -
Largest wind project in hemisphere approved for New Mexico, but transmission tie in limbo
Regulators approved a 2.2 GW wind farm but last month turned back an application for a transmission line that is supposed to deliver the clean energy to California markets.
Generation -
Michael leaves 1.2 million without power, but coal ash pits intact
Hurricane Michael has reached the Carolinas, but Duke said the damages wrought on its coal ash pits by Florence are repaired and the sites are not a concern.
Generation -
WalletHub: San Diego tops list as 2018's greenest US city
The 100 largest U.S. cities were judged on 26 "green" indicators including smart energy policies, amount of green space and greenhouse gas emissions per capita.
Solar & Renewables -
California decision means higher costs for community choice programs
Community choice advocates say a Thursday decision by state regulators will shift hundreds of millions in costs and undercut the business case for leaving an investor-owned utility's supply.
Transmission & Distribution -
Google: Powering data centers with clean energy 24/7 'no easy feat'
The company is already the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in the world, but a new white paper shows how difficult it will be to eliminate all emissions from its footprint.
Solar & Renewables -
GE turbine troubles 'significant' but not end of its power business, analyst says
GE is facing performance problems with its most advanced gas turbine, which faces a $71 billion order backlog, but there is still hope for the turbine business, one analyst says.
Generation -
DOE: Efficiency partnership with US manufacturers is saving billions
The Trump administration has not always shown enthusiasm when it comes to energy efficiency, but its "Better Plants" partnership with the manufacturing sector is showing results.
Efficiency & Demand Response -
Gulf Power: 'Unprecedented' storm may require system rebuild
The hurricane is estimated to be the strongest to hit the U.S. in 50 years and Southern Company is reducing output at two units of its Alabama nuclear plant as a "precautionary measure" as the storm continues northeast.
UPDATED: Oct. 11, 2018 at 10:42 a.m.
Generation -
Deep DiveNew tool helps states identify EV policies that work, and those that don't
Vehicle purchase incentives have the most impact, according to the National Association of State Energy Officials rubric, while some popular policies may not be particularly effective.
Distributed Energy -
Duke Energy to spend $500M on battery storage in next 15 years
Duke Energy is planning a large battery investment in the Carolinas, and on Monday asked state regulators to approve a solar project as well.
Solar & Renewables -
Northwest utilities return to normal gas service after Enbridge pipeline rupture
The incident in British Columbia reduced natural gas supply to generators operated by Puget Sound Energy and Avista, as well as residential and commercial customers.
UPDATED: Oct. 12, 2018 at 8:50 a.m.
Transmission & Distribution -
Hawaiian Electric plans 7 solar+storage projects, adding 260 MW solar
The projects, currently in contract negotiations, are the result of an "ambitious, expedited procurement effort" launched in February, said the utility.
Solar & Renewables -
OpinionWhat Nevada can learn from Virginia's experience with electric deregulation
Virginia State Senator Frank Wagner says he watched electric rates rise from deregulation across the East Coast in the 90s and warns Nevada voters to avoid the same fate in November.
Regulation & Policy