How the GOP tax overhaul could affect the power sector

Congress is expected to vote on tax legislation this week. Here's a cheat sheet for what it means for your industry and more.

By Industry Dive Staff • Dec. 18, 2017

Path to zero carbon: Navigating the urban energy transformation

The emerging Urban Energy Cloud vision is of a smart city that integrates large- and small-scale energy initiatives and solutions, citywide improvements in energy efficiency and low carbon transportation.

By Eric Woods • Dec. 18, 2017

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

California air regulator approves 'bold' plan to reach 2030 climate goals

The California Air Resources Board laid out a pathway to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, while improving air quality and public health.  

By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2017

Updated: GOP includes BEAT fix, drops nuclear credits in tax bill

The final bill would allow companies to offset 80% of BEAT payments accrued due to energy tax credits, but renewable power interests are still concerned it could stifle wind energy financing. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 15, 2017

NERC: Changing resource mix tightening reserve margins

Retirements of conventional generation in Texas and canceled nuclear generation in the Southeast mean reserve margins will drop below targets beginning in 2018 and 2020, respectively.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2017

Indiana regulators approve cost recovery for 3 coal plant upgrades

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. will install pollution controls at three coal plants to comply with the federal coal combustion residuals rule.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2017

Energy tax credits appear safe as GOP tax bill speeds toward a vote

Incentives for wind and solar power are likely intact, analysts say, but credits for other energy technologies could end up in a separate bill. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 15, 2017

Finding efficiencies: Updating RTO stakeholder governance to meet emerging challenges

Enhancing bottom-up policy development by improving RTO/ISO stakeholder governance processes is preferable to a top-down policy like DOE's cost recovery proposal, Vermont Law School's Mark James and Kevin B. Jones write.

By Mark James and Kevin B. Jones • Dec. 15, 2017

Digital transition vs. digital transformation

Once we rethink our technology, blow up our old habits and rituals, we begin to see the flaws in our old business models. Then we change them for the better.

By Bill Meehan • Dec. 15, 2017

Closing Indian Point nuclear plant will not hurt reliability, New York ISO says

Three gas-fired plants currently under construction are expected to replace the lost capacity from closing down the nuclear facility. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2017

FPL to recover $133M for cleanup at Turkey Point

State regulators say the utility acted prudently in complying with environmental regulatory agencies’ requirements for its Turkey Point Cooling Canal Monitoring Plan.  

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2017

Moody's: Merchant coal plants at risk in global transition to greener economy

Trump Administration efforts to support the fossil fuel might mitigate the risk, but they would be working against state policies and larger market dynamics, the credit ratings firm says.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 14, 2017

Murkowski: Energy provisions remain 'in flux' in GOP tax proposal

"Don't panic," the GOP energy leader told the power sector, as provisions not included in this bill could feature in a tax extenders package to follow. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 13, 2017

National Grid finds an electric approach to natural gas demand response

The company is learning a lot about its new program to reduce gas use at peak times, including the need to sit down with customers and explain the benefits.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2017

FERC turns down provisions in PJM's minimum offer price rule after court remand

The agency's rejection reversed course on its 2013 decision, but did leave the door open for the grid operator to try again.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2017

About that national conversation on resilience of the electric grid: The urgent need for guidance and action

Sue Tierney, former Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Department of Energy, lays out a framework for FERC to tackle grid resilience. 

By Sue Tierney • Dec. 13, 2017

Southwest coal plants costing customers millions in overcharges, Sierra Club reports

A review of 14 plants in the Southwest Power Pool showed customers were overcharged by about $300 million in 2015 and 2016, according to the Sierra Club. The grid operator says the analysis is flawed.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2017

New York's REV Connect matches innovation with real-world utility needs

REV Connect fills an important market gap via up-to-date information access and the ability for interested parties to take immediate action online.

Dec. 13, 2017

Oregon regulators acknowledge PacifiCorp $3B renewables investment plan, but call for coal study

The acknowledgment from regulators is an important step for the utility's ambitious clean energy plan, but what will it do about its coal fleet?

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2017

Join or die: How utilities are coping with 100% renewable energy goals

Power companies are realizing that in many communities, the choice is between increasing clean energy or decreasing their own electricity sales.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 13, 2017

Renewable energy gains market share in EIA 2018 projection, with gas, coal steady

The latest Short Term Energy Outlook sees renewable energy growing to 10% of U.S. electricity generation by 2018 as coal- and gas-fired generation stay at 31% and 32%, respectively.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 13, 2017

Vogtle utility customer wants project canceled as regulators near decision

Georgia Power says 2017 was a year of "progress" for the nuclear expansion. But Jacksonville Electric Authority, which is contracted to purchase some of the plant's output, hopes the development is canceled.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2017

Eversource threatens EDF with cease and desist over report on gas capacity constraints

A report by the environmental group says Eversource and Avangrid artificially constrained capacity on the Algonquin natural gas pipeline in recent years, consequently boosting gas prices. Now the utility is calling on the group to halt its "false and defamatory statements."

By Robert Walton • Dec. 12, 2017

EPA to drop key New Source Review enforcement provision

Administrator Scott Pruitt issued a memo last week directing staff to effectively abandon pre-construction permit reviews under NSR.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 12, 2017

Weak wholesale power markets spur GE Power job cuts

The 12,000 job reductions and prior steps in the division are expected to contribute $1 billion to GE's overall goal to reduce structural costs by $3.5 billion in 2017 and 2018.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 12, 2017