Generation
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Indiana regulators reject Vectren gas plant over stranded asset concerns
The unexpected order in a fossil-friendly state is another ding against the utility megaprojects that used to define the sector.
By Gavin Bade • April 25, 2019 -
Massachusetts approves state's first offshore wind contracts for 800 MW
Before regulators approved Vineyard Wind's power purchase agreements for its project, the state's three investor-owned utilities issued a second request for proposals for offshore wind power.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 24, 2019 -
Pennsylvania PUC Commissioner blasts state's nuclear bailout bill
The commissioner said the expected cost increases are unjust given that only one nuclear plant in the state is currently experiencing financial troubles.
By HJ Mai • April 24, 2019 -
New York targets 1.5 TWh of new renewables with latest solicitation
The procurement is expected to net sufficient resources to power 200,000 homes and spur over $1 billion in private investment, while helping the state meet a 70% renewable standard by 2030.
By Robert Walton • April 24, 2019 -
Pruitt coal saving plan fails as Indiana regulators tee up Vectren gas plant order
A coal mining company hired the former EPA head to stop Indiana's transition from coal to gas and renewables, but utility and business interests balked at the effort.
By Gavin Bade • UPDATED: April 24, 2019 at 12:22 p.m. -
PNM, Avista commit to carbon-free goals on heels of state mandates
The utility commitments mark a growing alignment between state legislators and power providers in the push for cleaner generation.
By Catherine Morehouse • April 23, 2019 -
Ohio governor signals support for nuke bailout as FirstEnergy files new bankruptcy plan
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine didn't comment on a pending financial support bill, but said Ohio can't "dramatically reduce carbon ... without nuclear."
By Gavin Bade • April 23, 2019 -
New Jersey approves up to $300M in annual nuclear plant subsidies, despite profitability claims
The subsidy is intended to keep nuclear power competitive, and comes amid a U.S. Supreme Court decision to not take up a legal challenge against similar nuclear support programs.
By HJ Mai • April 23, 2019 -
Virginia advances policy to cap carbon as legislators block entry to RGGI
The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board adopted new regulations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, moving the state a step closer to joining the Regional Greeenhouse Gas Initiative.
By Robert Walton • April 23, 2019 -
Indiana coal miner hires ex-EPA head Scott Pruitt to lobby against plant closures
Utilities plan to move from coal to natural gas and renewables, but Hallador Energy wants a pause written into the state budget after lawmakers defeated a similar proposal this month.
By Gavin Bade • April 22, 2019 -
Nevada passes bill for 50% renewables by 2030, 100% carbon free by 2050
The legislation unanimously passed the state Senate and Assembly last week and will include all electricity providers in the state.
By Catherine Morehouse • April 22, 2019 -
NYC passes sweeping 'Climate Mobilization Act'
The legislation calls for cutting buildings emissions, installing green roofs and moving the city toward shutting its 24 natural gas-fired power plants.
By Chris Teale • April 22, 2019 -
OpinionCommitting to climate: Transformation is underway in the US power sector
The electric power sector is taking climate action, and investors are taking notice. Here's how far it has come and where it needs to go next.
By Dan Bakal • April 22, 2019 -
FERC approves LNG terminals as anti-fossil protestors scale headquarters
Both sides say climate change is a 'crisis' — but have divergent strategies to address it.
By Gavin Bade • April 18, 2019 -
Environmentalists push SWEPCO to show value of coal in its IRP
In its IRP, SWEPCO said it plans to include more gas and wind in its power mix, but more than 80% of the utility's energy will come from coal-fired generation this year.
By Robert Walton • April 18, 2019 -
Utilities flee UARG as Congressional Dems tee up probe into lobbying group
Decisions from seven major utilities to leave the lobbying group show their resource choices may be changing their public policy agendas.
By Gavin Bade • April 17, 2019 -
Montana House unexpectedly rejects bill to save Colstrip coal plant
The vote — which came a day after lawmakers preliminarily approved the measure — caught environmental advocates by surprise.
By Robert Walton • April 17, 2019 -
Green Mountain Power aims for 100% renewables by 2030 with up to 100 MW storage
Vermont's largest utility is 90% carbon free, but reaching 100% renewables will require the utility to increase its deployment of distributed resources and storage.
By Catherine Morehouse • April 16, 2019 -
Most MISO zones clear planning auction at $2.99/MW-day
Solar still makes up a relatively small percentage of the region's total capacity, but MISO officials said 680 MW of solar cleared in this year's auction, compared with 461 MW last year.
By Robert Walton • April 16, 2019 -
Baltimore trash-to-energy incinerator sues county for failure to deliver waste
Waste-to-energy qualifies as a renewable resource under Maryland law, and the facility alleges the county failed to deliver a contractually-mandated minimum of 215,000 annual tons of waste to the incinerator.
By Rina Li • April 16, 2019 -
Vistra, greens at odds over Illinois solar+storage bill that would preserve coal plants
A bill pending in the state legislature could provide millions of dollars for Vistra to transition its coal plants to solar and storage in the mid-2020s — years after the plants would retire absent the measure.
By Robert Walton • April 16, 2019 -
Supreme Court won't hear nuke subsidy cases, clarifying state energy jurisdiction
The decision not to hear challenges to Illinois and New York nuclear subsidies is the final ruling upholding those policies, which can now serve as legal models for other states.
By Gavin Bade • April 15, 2019 -
Michigan denies Consumers PURPA reset amid solar outcry
State regulators also gave themselves more time to review the IRP after criticism from solar companies over more than 3 GW of PURPA projects pending interconnnection.
By Catherine Morehouse • April 15, 2019 -
Calpine sells 2 gas-fired plants to Starwood Energy
The sale features more than 825 MW of contracted capacity in two wholesale markets, including Wisconsin's largest peaker and the newest plant in Calpine's fleet.
By Robert Walton • April 15, 2019 -
DOE to spend additional $100M on lower emission coal plant development
A day before the DOE announcement, a bipartisan group of senators led by the leadership of the Senate energy committee introduced a new carbon capture bill to expand the agency's research initiatives.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 15, 2019
