New tax code means big rate changes, uncertainty for power sector in 2018

The tax law includes breaks for utilities and spared renewable energy deals, but critical details for other sector players remain up in the air.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 2, 2018

Coal, oil get a boost from Northern cold snap

A third of ISO New England's energy is being produced by oil, and PJM Interconnection has called cold-weather alerts across its service territory.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 2, 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

FERC aims to raise the bar for reporting cyber attacks with new NOPR

Cyber attacks on utility infrastructure have made the headlines, but have not showed up in NERC reports. FERC seeks to remedy that issue with the proposed rulemaking. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 2, 2018

Report: Tesla's Australian battery project steps in after coal units fail

The Hornsdale Power Reserve project has now stepped in twice to maintain grid reliability when a major coal plant unexpectedly dropped offline, according to Australian media reports.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 2, 2018

After tax overhaul, utility regulators are pushing for lower customer rates

Multiple states have ordered utilities to examine any savings they see as a result of the lower corporate tax rate in effect this year, and to prepare to pass those savings back to customers.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 2, 2018

EPA issues clean air designations, Northeast states sue over cross-border pollution

States and environmental groups previously filed suit against EPA for missing a key October deadline on ozone and SO2 enforcement.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 2, 2018

After photos of Perry meeting, Bob Murray says he 'never proffered' grid resilience rule to DOE

Photos published earlier this month show the coal mining CEO handing over an "Action Plan" to Secretary of Energy Rick Perry that resembles the DOE's eventual proposal to subsidize fuel-secure generators.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 28, 2017

Why 'secure' isn't secure enough in the utilities sector

With multiple vulnerabilities, companies should invest in a comprehensive cybersecurity approach that considers both protecting the communications layer and complementary physical security measures.

By Marco Berger • Dec. 27, 2017

Updated: Trump approves GOP tax overhaul bill

Utilities stand to benefit, renewables dodged a bullet and nuclear energy was left out in the cold as Republicans finalized their tax rewrite. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 22, 2017

SoCal Edison's new alternative energy plan could be 'nail in coffin' for Puente gas plant

But the utility's plan isn't all carbon-free: it would seek bids for gas-fired generation under 55 MW for local reliability needs in Goletta, Ca. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 22, 2017

ERCOT reveals violations of pricing, disclosure rules in new filing

The Texas grid operator informed state regulators that it failed to comply with certain pricing posting requirements, describing an "inadvertent disclosure" of certain generator interconnection information.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 22, 2017

Entergy requests clarification for Indian Point closure deadlines

The state's grid operator concluded that closing down Entergy's Indian Point nuclear facility would not threaten grid reliability earlier this month. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 22, 2017

FERC announces pipeline review, cyber, fast-start reforms in McIntyre's first open meeting

The new FERC head also said he does not "envision" asking for another extension on the Department of Energy's subsidy proposal for coal and nuclear plants. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 21, 2017

New PNM rate increase doesn't cover coal plant upgrades

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission approved a rate increase of about 8% by 2019 for the utility, but balked at $150 million marked for upgrades at the Four Corners coal plant.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2017

Con Edison seeks 'non-pipe' solutions to address peak gas demand

The New York utility is considering investing at least $100 million annually in a bid to avoid construction of a major new gas pipeline.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2017

Nuclear regulator ignores employee safety warnings, watchdog report finds

A report by the Better Government Association concludes the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission downplays safety concerns and has created an environment where employees are reticent to speak up.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2017

Updated: Vogtle nuke gets unanimous approval to continue construction

Georgia Power also sought approval of $8.9 billion to complete the project, but the PSC lowered that amount by $1.7 billion. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 21, 2017

NOPR, nukes and taxes: The top 10 Utility Dive stories of 2017

It's been a frantic year of energy news. Here's a recap of what Utility Dive readers found most important.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 20, 2017

Millstone nuclear plant is profitable, new Connecticut draft report says

However, Dominion says the report fails to reflect the "true financials" of the nuclear facility, which it said would have to retire absent any economic incentives. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 19, 2017

Reserve margins tighten in ERCOT as plant retirements loom

The report by the Texas grid operator projects a 9.3% planning reserve margin for summer 2018, driven in part by a suite of retirement announcements earlier this year. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2017

Will batteries and solar have a place in Puerto Rico's reimagined grid?

Reimagining the island's electric grid is an opportunity to modernize, but the need for poles and wires remains, say power sector experts. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2017

Duke's most efficient gas turbine gets North Carolina regulatory approval

The new 400 MW turbine developed by Siemens Energy will be 25% more efficient than existing turbines at the Lincoln plant, where it will be installed. But the technology is untested.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2017

No mention of coal in Chatterjee's FERC financial report

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's latest financial management report identifies goals that focus on natural gas and hydropower projects, but coal is conspicuously absent from the document.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2017

EPA seeks comment on replacement for Clean Power Plan

The agency on Monday issued its Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on how it should replace the Obama-era climate rules. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 18, 2017

'Clean coal' test facility planned for Wyoming

Clean Coal Technologies Inc. has developed a process to remove moisture from some coal, allowing it to generate more energy with fewer emissions.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2017