Generation

PSEG to sell almost 7 GW of fossil fuel generation, retain nuclear plants

The largest utility in New Jersey will turn its focus to energy efficiency, building electric vehicle infrastructure and microgrids, which observers say can offer a more stable return on investments.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 03, 2020

Deep Dive

A blow to small solar, a win for states and utilities? Regulators, analysts assess FERC's PURPA rule

Federal regulators issued a ruling on the law earlier this month that stakeholders say could disproportionately benefit vertically-integrated utilities in non-competitive markets in particular.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 30, 2020

New Mexico approves 100% renewables + storage replacement for San Juan coal capacity

A full renewables portfolio, along with battery storage, was the only replacement option that fully satisfied the state's 100% carbon-free energy transition goals, according to regulators.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 30, 2020

Senate Republicans urge McConnell to include clean energy in COVID-19 recovery package

The letter, led by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., is likely "the largest number of Republican senators" to have signed onto an effort urging clean energy be included in a federal recovery package.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 24, 2020

Alliant Energy to operate at 100% net-zero emissions by 2050

The utility would retire all eight of its remaining coal-fired plants by 2040 or sooner under its "new aspirational goal."

By Catherine Morehouse • July 23, 2020

Grid operators agree on short-term gas benefits, but say it shouldn't limit renewables growth

"If we get to 100%, we're gonna have to solve some of these really, really challenging problems, but I think that compared to where we are today, we shouldn't let the great be the enemy of the good," PJM Interconnection President and CEO Manu Asthana said.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 22, 2020

COVID-19 should not prevent utilities from investing in renewables: Xcel CEO

Although transmission "bottlenecks" and other barriers exist "that's just a matter of will, not a matter of the technology or the underlying economics," said Xcel CEO and Edison Electric Institute Chairman Ben Fowke.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 22, 2020

Arizona regulatory staff proposes 100% clean energy standard by 2050

Advocates say utilities could be pressed to move even faster as some power providers in the state have outlined more ambitious goals.

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2020

DOE targets end to US reliance on Russian nuclear fuel, revived domestic capability

The energy department seeks to create a uranium reserve and develop high-energy fuel rods needed for new and smaller commercial reactors, Sec. Dan Brouillette said.

By John Funk • July 20, 2020

FERC finalizes PURPA overhaul in move Glick says "discourages" small solar development

Changes include allowing states to set the rates paid to qualifying facilities at a variable wholesale rate rather than a fixed cost and reducing the size of a project that can qualify for PURPA rates from 20 MW to 5 MW.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 17, 2020

Trump finalizes rule 'slashing' environmental permitting reviews for wind, pipeline projects

Wind, coal and gas groups largely support the administration's "top-to-bottom overhaul" of the National Environmental Policy Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 16, 2020

Minnesota approves Xcel request to operate 2 coal plants seasonally

The Allen S. King plant and unit 2 of the Sherco facility will now sit idle six months out of the year.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 16, 2020

'Almost impossible' for FERC to address rehearing orders in 30 days, Glick says

Commissioner Richard Glick told a virtual conference that the most reasonable avenue for Congress to take would be extending the commission's timeline to respond to requests for rehearing to 90 days.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 15, 2020

TVA offers over $500M in additional incentives to quell talk of Memphis utility departure

Citing flawed IRP and concern for Memphis residents, TVA leadership argues it will bring to bear billions of dollars in value if MLGW does not cancel its contract.

By Emma Penrod • July 14, 2020

Wyoming scrutinizes Pacificorp coal retirement plans in 'unheard of' IRP investigation

State regulators on Monday launched a week-long administrative trial for the utility's latest integrated resource plan, instead of a typical proceeding with written comments in response to the proposal.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 14, 2020

DC Circuit upholds landmark FERC storage order, rejecting claims it violates state authority

"I think 841 … [may be] one of the single most significant ... actions taken by a government agency to address carbon mitigation and the transition to a clean energy future," FERC Chair Neil Chatterjee told reporters.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 13, 2020

Deep Dive

Audit of Hawaiian Electric sends a postcard about the future of regulation

The utility's restructuring has supported and streamlined Hawaii's ongoing "transition to a 100% renewable future," the audit reported. But "costs and staffing levels have also increased," often without "a clear role or purpose."

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2020

Duke, AEP, FirstEnergy tell FERC future COVID-19 uncertainty presents 'significant risk'

Although utilities have not yet seen substantive threats to their capital, they insist to federal regulators that potential future hurdles will require "adequate and timely" cost recovery from states.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 10, 2020

Deloitte: Intermittent renewables pass COVID-19 grid reliability test

Through mid-June this year, wind and solar energy made up 12% of the total U.S. generation average, up from 10% in 2019, while distributed energy resources and storage is one of the "primary areas" for building new capacity over the midterm.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 09, 2020

Natural gas pipeline developers aim to differentiate from Atlantic Coast and avoid its fate

The Constitution Pipeline and Atlantic Coast Pipeline have been abandoned within months of each other, and natural gas developers are working to establish differences between themselves and the unsuccessful projects.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 08, 2020

Coal retirements spur 8% drop in 2019 power sector carbon pollution after Duke, Vistra top 2018 emitters: Ceres

Vistra has already retired or announced the retirement of nine coal plants since 2018, a sign of how rapidly the power sector shifted last year

By Catherine Morehouse • July 08, 2020

DC Circuit pipeline ruling could prompt dramatic shift in FERC power sector actions, attorneys say

The ruling could have major consequences for stakeholders requesting a rehearing from the commission in the gas and electricity sectors.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 08, 2020

Column

Taking Charge: Wisconsin's newest utility commissioner on the state's 'utility-scale changeover'

Wisconsin Public Service Commissioner Tyler Huebner spoke to Utility Dive about the state's transition from coal and toward a greener, more distributed grid.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 06, 2020

NERA counters broad opposition to FERC net metering petition, reveals utility-linked member

Attorneys for the New England Ratepayers Association have revealed one of its members — the president and founder of energy consulting firm Brant Energy, whose clients include National Grid, Eversource and DTE Energy.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 02, 2020

Florida's customer-sited solar reaches new heights as regulators oppose federal petition to upend net metering

The Florida Public Service Commission joined other states to oppose a national petition in support of state-led net metering policies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 01, 2020