Gas rush: FERC's pipeline approvals underline persisting controversy over permitting

The federal agency has approved 8 Bcf/d of pipeline capacity in recent months, resisting calls to expand its evaluation procedures.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 28, 2017

Updated: New audit shows utilities knew of schedule problems at V.C. Summer nuclear expansion

A 2015 draft audit of the project showed utilities would have missed a 2020 deadline to qualify for $2 billion in federal tax credits, but that information was scrubbed in the final 2016 report. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 28, 2017

TVA audit reveals Bechtel overcharged by $7M for Watts Bar Unit 2 work

The allegedly excessive costs focused mainly on labor and material handling expenses in constructing the reactor, which began operation last year as the first new nuclear unit in the U.S. in two decades. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 28, 2017

Whitefish Energy resumes work in Puerto Rico after 'good faith' payment

The Montana company had ceased work to repair the island's electric grid over an unpaid $83 million bill for work that was completed in October.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 27, 2017

NRC preparing new rules for nuclear decommissioning

The agency intends to update requirements next year, as increasing numbers of plants are under financial pressure from cheaper gas generation.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 27, 2017

Dynegy strikes deal to sell Brayton Point, once New England's largest coal plant

Buyer Commercial Development Co. tells Utility Dive it wants to turn the site into an industrial port and hub for offshore wind power. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 22, 2017

Has California built its last natural gas plant?

Two pending decisions from state regulators will decide how the Golden State moves toward a clean(er) energy future. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 22, 2017

National Grid, AutoGrid bring demand response to the natural gas industry

The pilot will schedule and conduct gas flexibility events between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. throughout the winter heating season, which runs from December through February.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 22, 2017

Siemens to cut 6,900 jobs due to falling gas turbine demand

Roughly half of the job reductions will be in Germany, and the United States will see 1,800 positions cut by 2020.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 22, 2017

Chatterjee: Sympathy for coal 'doesn't factor in' to baseload support plan

The acting FERC chairman told Utility Dive his "cultural sensitivity" for coal country "in no way will influence" the outcome of the DOE NOPR proceeding

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 21, 2017

Federal judge awards Duke $68.5M for spent nuclear fuel costs in DOE lawsuit

The case is one of dozens filed against the federal government for partial breach of contract related to the storage of spent nuclear fuel.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 21, 2017

South Carolina utilities debate V.C. Summer fate as 6-week deadline looms

SCANA Corp. subsidiary South Carolina Electric & Gas wants to write off the V.C. Summer nuclear project and move on, while state-run Santee Cooper prefers to maintain the site as it seeks a possible buyer.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 21, 2017

Montana utility considers closing coal plant

Rocky Mountain Power says it will shut down the 120-MW facility if a buyer is not found soon.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 21, 2017

EPA to push coal ash rule revisions at DC Circuit hearing

Oral arguments are scheduled for Monday before the D.C. Circuit Court in Utility Solid Waste Activities Group v. EPA.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 19, 2017

Virginia regulators approve draft carbon cap-and-trade plan

The draft regulatory package, approved unanimously by the State Air Pollution Control Board, would link Virginia with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and aim to cut power sector emissions 30% between 2020 and 2030.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 17, 2017

FERC rejects New York petition for rehearing over Millennium pipeline project, setting up court battle

Meanwhile, North Carolina regulators asked FERC to reconsider the 14% equity return granted to developers of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2017

Does C-C-A spell the end of the regulated electric utility in California?

Alternative providers may deliver more than 85% of the Golden State's electricity by the mid-2020s, and there is a lot of uncertainty about how much they will be regulated.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2017

SCE&G proposes new gas, solar generation to replace failed Summer nuke expansion

The utility would continue to collect $29.5 million per month from ratepayers for the cancelled reactors under a new plan submitted to regulators. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2017

Chatterjee pans 'hyperbolic' reaction to his interim NOPR pitch

Chatterjee said his temporary plan means "we've moved past" debating the DOE NOPR, and that many critics of his proposal "frankly don't understand it."

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 16, 2017

US eyes safety rules for small modular reactors, as nuclear touted at UN climate meeting

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has released a regulatory basis document supporting new rules to tackle emergency preparedness requirements for small modular reactors.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2017

PJM price formation proposal would dramatically change how prices are set in the RTO

A proposal from the grid operator to incentivize "inflexible" generation could fit squarely within the Trump administration's efforts to save baseload generation in power markets.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2017

PPL Corp. to shutter 2 older coal-fired units in Kentucky

Following the closure, Kentucky Utilities and Louisville Gas and Electric Co. will have mothballed eight coal-fired units in about five years.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2017

EPA: 85% of US counties meet latest ozone standards, but other designations delayed

The agency has concluded that 2,646 counties, two tribal areas and five territories meet the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for the pollutant.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2017

Exclusive: Chatterjee details interim plan to save coal, nuclear plants

The acting FERC chairman wants RTOs and ISOs to update their tariffs to keep coal and nuclear plants online as his commission considers broader changes to wholesale market compensation. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 15, 2017

GE refocuses on power sector as a core business in new turnaround plan

The company's stock took a pounding in the wake of its investor update, with its performance hurt by slow power sector sales.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 15, 2017