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

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

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

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 entry to regional GHG initiative blocked as governor declines to veto budget language

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 • Updated May 3, 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

Committing 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