NextEra aims to reduce CO2 emissions rate 65% by 2021

Claiming one of the lowest emissions profiles of electric companies in North America, NextEra Energy announced a target to lower its rate of emissions 13% beyond reductions achieved since 2001.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 7, 2018

Co-op solar boom raises questions about coal in utility power mixes

A new report by the Rocky Mountain Institute indicates that Tri-State G&T could save its customers $600 million through 2030 by including more renewables in its energy mix, despite its current coal investments.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 6, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

Unexpected outages, intense heat behind ISO-NE Labor Day price spike

Real-time prices in New England topped $2600/MWh in the late afternoon Monday, causing the grid operator to access emergency reserves and import power from neighboring regions.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 6, 2018

Massachusetts high court backs state's authority to limit greenhouse gas emissions

The court's ruling means the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection can enforce declining emissions limits described in the state's Global Warming Solutions Act, according to environmental advocates. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2018

APS' irrational war against renewable energy policy creates big risks for investors

Arizona Public Service's unabashed effort to dominate Arizona's politics has put it squarely in the crosshairs, and the company continues to favor gas over renewable energy, unlike many industry peers.

By David Pomerantz • Sept. 5, 2018

Electricity generation drives need for natural gas demand response

A handful of utilities use natural gas demand response to balance their deliveries. Reports suggest greater potential, with one firm saying gas DR could "entirely avoid some price spikes and help improve reliability."

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2018

FERC lets PJM delay next capacity auction from May to August 2019

The decision likely indicates that the federal agency will not rule on capacity market changes for the nation's largest interstate power market before the end of the year. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 5, 2018

A dangerous tipping point for New England's wholesale electricity market

The ISO, policymakers and other regulators need to develop a durable market that provides competitively-priced reliability in the region and enables states to meet their mandates, according to NEPGA president Dan Dolan.

By Dan Dolan • Sept. 5, 2018

States could save $16B annually through energy efficiency policies: report

The federal government's lack of action on efficiency standards is giving states opportunity to step up — a new analysis says energy efficiency policies could mean big savings for consumers by 2035.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2018

EY: Global utility and power sector deals hit $180B in first half of 2018

Renewable energy continues to grow in importance, accounting for 46% of deal volume in the second quarter, EY says.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2018

ISO-NE proposes market bridge to valuing fuel security

The grid operator wants to treat fuel secure resources as "price takers" in its next capacity auction, rejecting two proposed fixes from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 4, 2018

Georgia Power to excavate two more coal ash ponds

The utility will be "completely excavating" two ponds at its Bowen and Branch coal plants, as part of its larger plan to close 29 coal ash facilities across the state. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 4, 2018

California approves bill to limit utility liability for wildfires, but not CAISO expansion

The state legislature wrapped up the 2018 session by passing bills on electric vehicle infrastructure, battery storage and critical changes for utilities on wildfire liability laws.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 4, 2018

Arizona Supreme Court rules 50% renewables initiative will appear on ballot

A utility-backed opposition group says it will now focus on convincing customers to vote against the measure, which would set a 50% renewable portfolio standard.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2018

NRG completes sale of renewables platform to GIP

The deal allows NRG to shed $6.7 billion in debt and refocus on its retail electricity business. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2018

New Jersey regulators open docket to shape nuclear subsidies

The Board of Public Utilities must put a Zero Emission Credit program in place by next year under legislation signed by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2018

Energy storage gets a boost as California legislature extends SGIP

Extension of the Self Generation Incentive Program ​program could help the growth of rooftop solar in California.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 31, 2018

OG&E declines to renew coal PPA, potentially forcing Oklahoma plant to close

Oklahoma Gas & Electric has decided not to renew a five-year power purchase agreement with a local coal plant and plans to consider a range of resources to replace it.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2018

Two roads diverging: Pennsylvania lawmakers rethink their renewables mandate

A new plan for solar is pushing Pennsylvania lawmakers to rethink the state's energy sector and utilities are fighting for their share.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 30, 2018

EPA will open MATS rule for review despite utility objections

Most coal plants have already complied with the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards or shut down, but the agency's review could affect how it crafts regulations in the future.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 30, 2018

FirstEnergy to retire more than 4 GW of PJM coal plant capacity

The shutdowns would be the end of its Ohio coal fleet, but the generator said retirements could be "reversed or postponed" if the Trump administration moves to bail out the plants. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2018

Minnesota community solar hits 400 MW

While Xcel's community solar program has led the country in growth over the last few years, uncertainty in the PUC makes future development unclear.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 30, 2018

TVA shifts coal ash strategy in response to spill, Obama-era rule

The utility is moving away from "wet storage" which it says, in part, led to the Kingston plant coal ash spill in 2008. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 29, 2018

Newly-vacated hydro dam operation license creates quandry for Alabama Power

A U.S. Court of Appeals has vacated Alabama Power's license on seven of its dams, determining federal regulators did not adequately evaluate the environmental impact of the dams. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2018

California passes landmark 100% clean energy goal

The bill headed to Gov. Jerry Brown's desk would direct state agencies to begin planning to supply 100% of retail electricity sales with carbon-free resources by 2045.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Aug. 30, 2018