GOP lawmaker criticizes DOE cost recovery rule at House hearing

Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX) said he is "concerned" that the DOE rule could raise customer costs by "picking winners and losers" for energy generation.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 5, 2017

Utility success with corporate renewables demand raises questions for existing load

New utility green tariffs give new customers renewables options, but existing demand could mean stranded assets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 5, 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 grid operator urges less fossil-fuel use in new report

The decline of gas-fired generation, decentralizing electrical service and regional coordination are among the eight trends identified by CAISO.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 5, 2017

A trio of storms could mean grid modernization in hard-hit areas

Florida, Puerto Rico and Texas all have an opportunity to reassess their power system.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2017

Powelson: FERC 'will not destroy the marketplace' in DOE cost recovery rulemaking

Fellow Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur later endorsed Powelson's comments on Twitter, writing "great message!"

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 5, 2017

EPA misses deadline for ozone standard attainment designations

Green groups are threatening to sue after EPA failed to meet a Monday deadline to publish which areas in the U.S. do not meet new standards on ozone pollution.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 4, 2017

Report: EPA to seek industry input to shape Clean Power Plan replacement

The agency plans to issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by Friday soliciting comment on what should replace the signature Obama era climate initiative, Reuters reports. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 4, 2017

Updated: DOE cost recovery rule divides power sector in House hearing

Nuclear and coal interests lent qualified support for the DOE rule, but the CEO of a leading coal lobby said he had "no idea" where the cost recovery and 90-day provisions came from. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 4, 2017

Portland General Electric joins California power trading market

The move makes PGE the fifth non-California utility to participate in the western Energy Imbalance Market. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 3, 2017

Arizona coal plant may get new life as potential buyers emerge

Utilities with a stake in the 2,250 MW Navajo Generating Station planned to close it by 2019. But now it appears the facility will stay open longer. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 3, 2017

New tariff proposals put solar in 'a land of complete uncertainty' ahead of ITC hearing

The fight over solar imports enters its next round as the ITC prepares to deliver recommendations to the president to address harm to U.S. manufacturers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 3, 2017

California regulators edge away from gas peaker plants

The CPUC rejected proposed upgrades to NRG's Ellwood peaker plant just days after CAISO pushed the state regulatory body to reconsider approval of upgrades to the Puente peaker.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 3, 2017

FERC seeks fast track on DOE baseload compensation proposal

Comments on the controversial DOE rulemaking will be due Oct. 23, FERC announced Monday, as 11 industry groups pressed for extended consideration. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 2, 2017

DOE rulemaking threatens to destroy wholesale markets with no tangible benefit

Newly proposed cost recovery for fuel-secure generators would spike power costs and emissions with little upside for consumers, Energy Innovation analysts argue.

By Robbie Orvis, Mike O'Boyle • Oct. 2, 2017

Silverstein: If I'd written the DOE grid study recommendations

Alison Silverstein, who drafted the technical portions of the DOE grid study, says its summary and recommendations missed key points on grid reliability and resilience.

By Alison Silverstein • Oct. 2, 2017

How DOE's baseload power rule 'would blow the market up'

Former FERC officials and energy experts say moves to guarantee cost recovery for generators with onsite fuel supplies could unravel wholesale power markets.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 2, 2017

Tesla pledges 'hundreds' of Powerwall battery packs for Puerto Rico

Only 5% of the U.S. territory's grid is working right now, The New York Times reports, and it could take up to six months to fully restore power. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 2, 2017

Report: Dominion to consider expanding Atlantic Coast Pipeline into South Carolina

The Associated Press obtained an audio recording that revealed a Dominion official speaking about the potential expansion plans, despite the developers publicly indicating it will terminate in North Carolina.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2017

Report charts a path for more corporate purchases of utility-scale solar power

To get companies to buy more solar, the report says utilities should consider working with stakeholders to develop purchasing options in areas where solar is most cost-competitive.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 2, 2017

FERC eschews social cost of carbon measurement in new downstream analysis

The agency issued a new draft EIS for a pipeline project in response to the D.C. Circuit Court ruling, but said the social cost of carbon calculation is not appropriate for its analysis.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2017

DOE guarantees $3.7B in loans for Vogtle nuclear plant construction

The decision comes the same day as DOE pushes for higher compensation for existing nuclear plants in organized markets. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 29, 2017

Updated: DOE proposes cost recovery for baseload generators in new FERC rule

DOE wants FERC to provide federal cost-of-service regulation for coal and nuclear plants, amounting to the biggest change in wholesale power markets in a generation.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 29, 2017

New lawsuit argues SCANA led 'misinformation campaign' on Summer plant

The suit comes as a newly released internal document from contractor Westinghouse shows senior executives were warned the project was "at risk" as early as 2011. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 29, 2017

Tampa Electric agreement calls for 600 MW of new solar power by 2021

The projects stem from an agreement reached with consumer groups and will significantly boost the utility's 27 MW of current solar capacity.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 29, 2017

Why it's time to fully embrace America's energy grid diversification

U.S. regulators should help drive more distributed resources into the grid, ICF's Philip Mihlmester writes, recommending how they can do so to the benefit of energy consumers and utilities.

By Philip Mihlmester • Sept. 29, 2017