The Latest
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NTSB faults NiSource for deadly Massachusetts gas explosions
A National Transportation Safety Board investigation found "omissions in the engineering work package and construction documentation" for the Columbia Gas system work that led to overpressurization and deadly explosions.
Transmission & Distribution -
NY simplifies interconnection standards to ensure 'robust' clean energy pipeline: PSC chair
"If you want people to do something, make it easy," Public Service Commission Chairman John Rhodes told Utility Dive.
Transmission & Distribution -
24 of 26 Duke coal ash ponds in Carolinas not compliant with CCR rule
Nearly all the ash basins violated rules that requires the bottom of a disposal facility to be five feet above groundwater aquifers and stipulate there can be no connection between aquifer and disposal facility.
Generation -
Customer demand drives SRP to add 1 GW new solar by 2025
By the end of Fiscal Year 2025, Salt River Project plans to have more than 1,200 MW of solar capacity and will be in the market to add battery storage.
Solar & Renewables -
S&P: Utility financials largely stable, growth outlook uncertain
The firm also anticipates "modest to flat growth" next year for independent generators, predicting that power prices could strengthen in the PJM market "because energy price reforms appear likely."
Generation -
California PUC chair says state won't let PG&E go bankrupt
The utility withdrew its revolving credit lines this week as its equipment was linked to the deadly Camp Fire, a move that can presage a bankruptcy filing.
Transmission & Distribution -
FERC nominee McNamee distances himself from Trump coal bailout at hearing
Despite helping craft the White House's ill-fated coal and nuclear bailout last year, McNamee told senators he would view the issue differently if confirmed to a seat on FERC.
Generation -
PJM, states clash over market jurisdiction at NARUC conference
PJM CEO Andy Ott said some states in his market had entered a "compact" to allow generation decisions to be determined by competitive markets, sparking spirited responses from state regulators.
Generation -
48% of power and utility CEOs think cybersecurity attack is inevitable: KPMG
A little over half the executives surveyed feel prepared to identify a cybersecurity threat and 59% said cybersecurity specialists were the most important new role at their company.
Distributed Energy -
Tesla, GM, ChargePoint and other EV interests press Congress to continue federal tax credit
A coalition says there is bipartisan support for lifting caps on the electric vehicle tax credit, but first the group will need to block legislation that would eliminate it entirely.
Distributed Energy -
Albuquerque, NM scraps electric bus deal, delays BRT rollout again
Bus safety concerns have been plaguing the plan to get the city's bus rapid transit network up and running.
Efficiency & Demand Response -
Pennsylvania DEP solar plan aims for 10% solar generation by 2030
The majority of the state's generation comes from nuclear and natural gas, with solar providing 300 MW, less than 1%.
Generation -
Customer preference shifts from utilities to third-party providers for rooftop solar, EV: Cogent
Only 47% of consumers surveyed prefer utilities as their solar provider, down from 68% last year, suggesting utilities need stronger brand management.
Solar & Renewables -
Deep DiveAs smart meters proliferate, a new kind of demand response becomes entrenched
Advanced metering infrastructure penetration is slowing, but utilities are harnessing new resources to keep demand response growing.
Efficiency & Demand Response -
PG&E debt drawdown raises concerns of potential bankruptcy due to fire costs
The utility withdrew all the cash from its revolving credit lines Tuesday, a move financial experts say could presage a bankruptcy filing or other serious financial problems for the utility.
Transmission & Distribution -
OpinionLeaving the Nest: 'Bring your own' efficiency programs grow beyond thermostats
The shift from Bring Your Own Thermostat programs to include more devices suggests the BYO model will continue to grow, securing energy and cost savings for customers and energy providers, Navigant's Brett Feldman writes.
Efficiency & Demand Response -
Deep Dive
APS spent millions defeating Prop 127. Is a clean energy compromise ahead?
The utility beat the push for 50% renewables, then started talk about an 80% clean energy standard.
Generation -
Big tech companies are becoming the top buyers of green energy to meet data needs: BNEF
About 1% of the world's electricity consumption goes to power data centers, which can require three times more energy in developed nations.
Solar & Renewables -
DOE to fund 'Coal FIRST' initiative, critics say it's political not practical
The U.S. Department of Energy wants to support the development of smaller coal-fired plants, 50 MW to 350 MW in size, with high-efficiency and near-zero emissions.
Generation -
EY: Q3 power transactions reach record $241B globally
U.S. deals are valued at $28.8 billion this quarter, a 7% increase from Q2, driven largely by cheaper gas and renewables, according to an Ernst & Young Q3 report.
Solar & Renewables -
Report: CPUC launches PG&E, SCE probes after 3 deadly fires
Lawsuit threats loom after two of the state's largest investor owned utilities alerted regulators to transmission issues near ground zero of blazes that started last week.
Regulation & Policy -
AEP to spend $2.7B on renewables, $24.9B on T&D in next 5 years
American Electric Power plans to use the majority of its five year budget on transmission and distribution operations to "enhance service for customers."
Generation -
216 mayors signal support for more solar power in updated letter
The Mayors for Solar Energy effort, organized by Environment America, also includes training and resources for local governments to encourage more solar power.
Solar & Renewables -
Deep Dive
Locational value of DER is essential to grid planning. So why hasn't anyone found it?
Policymakers want to identify the precise value of DER to their power systems, but the system may be changing too fast to make that possible right now.
Transmission & Distribution -
PodcastElectric Power Show Ep. 1: Everybody loves energy storage
Utility Dive's new podcast explores how the Energy Storage Association is navigating the polarized politics of Washington. We also offer midterm election analysis.
The Electric Power Show