NRC employees fear reprisals when raising issues, leaked commission study shows

The study, acquired by the Union of Concerned Scientists, shows employees at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission fear a "negative consequence" for utilizing the agency's Differing Professional Opinion program.

By Robert Walton • July 3, 2018

As the power sector transforms, can utilities and customers find common ground on ratemaking?

Rates are based on rate case assumptions about a utility's revenue need, but different ways to calculate that can serve the utility or its customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 2, 2018

FERC rejects PJM capacity market reform proposals, seeks quick resolution

In a 3-2 decision, the commission rejected PJM Interconnection's proposals to address capacity market failures, and instead initiated an expedited paper hearing to expand the minimum offer price rule.

By Robert Walton • June 30, 2018

Powelson to leave FERC deadlocked on gas pipelines, grappling with resilience

Republican FERC Commissioner Robert Powelson said Thursday he will leave in mid-August, giving more weight to the two Democratic members' opposition of natural gas pipeline certifications.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 29, 2018

Sempra to sell 2.6 GW renewable portfolio, gas storage assets

The divestitures mark the start of a three-phase effort to "optimize" the company's business portfolio and come amid increasing pressure from activist investors.

By Peter Maloney • June 29, 2018

South Carolina cuts SCE&G rate 15%, imperils proposed Dominion-SCANA merger

The ball is in Dominion's court after the South Carolina legislature voted to cut rates and soften the blow from the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project.

By Peter Maloney • June 28, 2018

Assuring grid reliability in California — a view from Commissioner Randolph

A decade and a half after the energy crisis, market behavior and a changing portfolio have triggered new moves to ensure California has enough affordable generation to meet demand.

By Liane M. Randolph • June 28, 2018

GE streamlines focus on renewables, gas turbines and power services

The global conglomerate is searching for the sweet spot for its gas turbine business, intending to sell its distributed power unit and its interest in oil services.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2018

Perry stays vague on DOE's coal and nuclear bailout progress

Energy Secretary Rick Perry told reporters that details and a timeline for following the president's directive aimed at saving struggling coal and nuclear plants were not ready to be shared yet.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 26, 2018

Fuel cost risk sharing order for Hawaiian Electric seen as 'landmark' clean energy driver

The risk sharing between HECO and its customers is capped at $2.5 million per year to protect the utility from "significant unanticipated increases in fuel prices," while prodding it to reduce prices and fuel use.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2018

Amid national debate over grid security, NERC says reliability is improving

A new report from the electric reliability organization points out that the U.S. grid bounced back in record time after being hit by a pair of Category 5 hurricanes last year.

By Robert Walton • June 22, 2018

PJM: Capacity Performance rules improved generator results, though less for coal and oil

The grid operator compared two high-demand periods in the PJM Interconnection, to see if new generator rules have made an impact.

By Robert Walton • June 22, 2018

New York unveils roadmap to 1.5 GW storage by 2025

The state has considerations underway to set a more ambitious long-term energy storage target for 2030.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 21, 2018

Exelon, First Solar back bipartisan national carbon tax plan

Exelon has already contributed $1 million to the proposal, which would replace carbon regulations with a tax that would ultimately result in a monthly dividend returned to all Americans, according to Axios.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2018

'Restructured' by any other name would smell as sweet

On the subject of energy markets and their functioning, there's no free market electricity competition, with or without the Trump administration's baseload power supply subsidy plan, former FERC Commissioner Tony Clark writes.

By Tony Clark • June 21, 2018

Republicans tout tax law success in hearing on energy sector impacts

While Republican witnesses cited increased wages, capital expenditures and company growth from the recent changes to the tax code, the lone Democrat witness said the bulk of the benefits are bypassing the middle class.

By Peter Maloney • June 21, 2018

DOE: Puerto Rico has plenty of options for new generation

A new report on options for rebuilding the island's grid recommends considering a wide range of renewables and alternative fuels, an expansion of liquefied natural gas imports, microgrids and energy storage.

By Robert Walton • June 20, 2018

In Massachusetts, capacity ownership of distributed resources could determine fate of storage

Current debates over ownership and control of capacity rights associated with solar and energy storage projects could have a big impact on the trajectory of the technologies in the state.

By Peter Maloney • June 20, 2018

Economic growth is decoupling from power sector carbon emissions, Ceres reports

The analysis shows that the mercury standards focused on technologies used in coal plants effectively lowered air emissions 86% from 2000 levels after going in effect in 2015.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 20, 2018

World on track for 50% renewables by 2050, says Bloomberg energy outlook

Wind and solar will provide almost 50% of the world's electricity, with hydro, nuclear and other renewables taking total zero-carbon electricity up to 71%.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018

US, EU research further integrates solar and storage

An energy-storing solar cell? Medium-voltage silicon carbide inverters? Research in the United States and Europe could make harnessing solar energy more efficient and cost effective.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018

SCE&G fights damaging Bechtel report as it tries to recoup VC Summer costs

The utility wants to collect $3.8 billion from ratepayers in the next 20 years to partially recoup costs for the failed, $9 billion expansion of the Summer nuclear plant, though Bechtel's assessment puts blame on SCE&G.

By Kim Slowey • June 19, 2018

As EPA approves Oklahoma coal ash program, researchers find widespread contamination

While EPA on Monday approved the first state permit program for coal ash disposal, a review from Ohio Valley ReSource and WFPL showed 'ubiquitous' groundwater contamination in the Ohio Valley.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018

Moody's goes negative on regulated utilities for first time, citing tax law impacts

Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley upgraded the utilities sector to outperform, and an analyst note remarked that utility stocks are primed for defensive investments.

By Peter Maloney • June 19, 2018

Is Siemens considering unloading its gas turbine business?

A sale for the troubled unit is reportedly being discussed, but no decisions have been made and, internally, officials say the company remains committed to the business.

By Robert Walton • June 18, 2018