California's dream of a regional power market faces the risks of a Trump FERC

California's proposed regional electricity market could could generate up to $1.5 billion in annual benefits and reduce GHG emissions up to 10%, but it could be subverted.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 20, 2018

Bill would bar GHG-emitting resources for Diablo Canyon replacement

Conservationists say the phase-out of California's last nuclear plant is an opportunity for green energy, and that regulators did not go far enough to ensure that progress when they approved the shutdown in January.

By Robert Walton • March 19, 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

A complicated calculus keeps the remaining coal fleet alive

The U.S. coal fleet is half the size it was 10 years ago. How are the remaining plants hanging on?

By Peter Maloney • March 19, 2018

NERC names WECC head Robb as new CEO

Robb's appointment comes after the high-profile resignation of NERC's last CEO following an office sex scandal and family violence arrest. 

By Gavin Bade • March 19, 2018

Massachusetts governor seeks Clean Peak Standard with $1.4B bond bill

Under the proposal, electricity suppliers would need to increase the usage of clean energy during peak demand periods. Another bill sets a new storage target of 1,766 MW by 2025 and 5 GW of offshore wind by 2035.  

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2018

FERC splits on climate review as it reissues Southeast Market Pipelines approval

A D.C. Circuit Court ruling had threatened to shut down the projects due to FERC's greenhouse gas accounting, but the Wednesday order ensures operations will continue.

By Gavin Bade • March 15, 2018

In the New South, customer demand is showing utilities the dollars and sense in solar

With load flat to declining, utilities in the Southeast are investing in almost no new generation but can't resist customer demand for renewables and the new solar economics.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 15, 2018

New York, New Jersey governors launch investigations following storm response

A New Jersey senator reintroduced legislation that would increase fines against a utility whose performance during a service disruption is found to be less than effective by the Board of Public Utilities.

By Peter Maloney • March 15, 2018

Arizona regulators move to place gas plant moratorium on utilities

The Arizona Corporation Commission approved a 9-month moratorium on new gas plants 150 MW or larger, directing utilities to examine renewable energy and storage instead.

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2018

Powelson 'very nervous' about long-term reliability in ISO-NE

FERC Commissioner Robert Powelson expanded on his opposition to ISO-New England's two-part capacity auction proposal at a Washington energy forum on Wednesday. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 15, 2018

NRC cites Entergy for false inspection records at Grand Gulf nuke plant

Federal regulators say workers did not perform required rounds to check equipment and plant conditions, and then reported they had.

By Robert Walton • March 14, 2018

FPL's proposed nuke units unlikely 'in the foreseeable future,' Miami mayor says

The utility will continue with the permitting process, but cheap gas means the economics of an expansion don't make sense.

By Robert Walton • March 14, 2018

Pruitt loosens NSR guidelines for modified plants

The move is intended to spur expansions of industrial plants, but environmental groups say it opens a loophole in the Clean Air Act for facilities to pollute more. 

By Gavin Bade • March 14, 2018

Federal appeals court hears arguments in New York nuclear subsidy case

New York regulators argued their nuclear subsidies do not step into federal wholesale market jurisdiction. 

By Gavin Bade • March 13, 2018

Calpine gets cold feet over proposed California gas plant

The energy company cited a lack of demand and new state energy policies as part of the reason for its request. The filing comes after news surfaced that NRG plans to shutter three gas plants in the state. 

By Robert Walton • March 13, 2018

Virginia regulators approve first customer aggregation application for manufacturer

The “customer aggregation" application allows customers with loads under 5 MW to shop for their retail energy supply. 

By Robert Walton • March 13, 2018

FERC tries to thread the needle in debate over markets versus mandates

Is FERC destroying markets in order to save them, Montana Public Service Commission Vice Chairman Travis Kavulla asks.

By Travis Kavulla • March 13, 2018

Not so fast: Battery prices will continue to decrease, but at a slower pace, GTM says

Cost declines for storage systems will slow as raw material prices rise, but deployments will continue apace, according to GTM.

By Peter Maloney • March 13, 2018

New Orleans City Council approves Entergy's 128 MW gas peaker

A trio of lawyers indicated they will challenge the 4-1 vote to advance the controversial project, alleging opponents were denied access to the meeting.

By Robert Walton • March 12, 2018

New TVA rate plan includes lower energy prices, grid access charge

The federally-owned utility says its proposed rate structure will "better align wholesale rates with the underlying costs" to serve its 154 local power companies. 

By Robert Walton • March 12, 2018

Split FERC approves ISO-NE 2-part capacity market plan

The 3-2 vote reveals key differences in how FERC regulators view state energy policies, a crucial element in a number of issues now before the commission. 

By Gavin Bade • March 12, 2018

PJM pushes plant payment reforms as RTOs file resilience comments at FERC

PJM wants federal regulators to set deadlines for changes to plant compensation, stoking concerns of a low-profile bailout for uneconomic generators.

By Gavin Bade • March 9, 2018

NRG to shutter three California gas plants

NRG subsidiary GenOn said it would shut down the plants for uneconomic reasons, highlighting the struggles natural gas faces in the state. 

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2018

Report: Duke Energy to release climate report under investor pressure

The utility's investors are pushing the company to examine financial exposure from climate change. 

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2018

Minnesota Power's largest customers oppose new gas plant

The utility plans to partner with  Dairyland Power Cooperative on the $700 million Nemadji Trail Energy Center in Superior, Wis. But some of its biggest consumers are questioning whether the plant is necessary.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2018