Xcel Energy proposes shuttering 2 Colorado coal plants

The agreement, reached with about a dozen stakeholders, could also lead to $2.5 billion in clean energy investments in rural Colorado.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2017

Illinois nuclear subsidies unlawful, EPSA, generators tell appellate court

A brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit alleges that the ZEC program is preempted by the Federal Power Act and violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 30, 2017

If nuclear is not in the future US energy mix, what will replace it?

Cost overruns and construction delays make new nuclear an unattractive option, but the fleet is aging and the alternatives that could fill nuclear's role in a low carbon power system are limited.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 29, 2017

FERC approves NEXUS Gas pipeline project

The order is among the first issued by the agency's newly-established quorum.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2017

DOE earmarks $50M for coal technology pilot projects

Funding is available to design, construct and operate "two large-scale pilots for transformational coal technologies."

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2017

Microgrids are poised to grow as large utilities see a growth vehicle

These facilities could be going mainstream as big utilities ramp up C&I services. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 28, 2017

Case study: APS invests in microgrid as Phoenix metropolitan area grows

The 63 MW microgrid can swiftly pivot into operating on solar and storage. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 28, 2017

ERCOT: Hurricane Harvey knocked out power to 300K Texas customers

Nearly 68,000 MW of capacity was at risk or lay directly in the Category 4 storm's path. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 28, 2017

Duke proposes to pull plug on Lee nuclear project, raise rates to cover coal ash cleanup

The North Carolina utility wants to cancel its Lee Nuclear project in the wake of Westinghouse Electric's financial demise. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2017

Mississippi Power CEO 'very surprised' by failed Kemper negotiations

Mississippi Power and the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff have yet to reach a settlement regarding the utility’s canceled Kemper integrated gasification combined-cycle project.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2017

PJM's new white paper weighs regional carbon pricing in wholesale markets

The grid operator believes market design can accommodate state policy initiatives while maintaining competition.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2017

Coal tops gas as leading generation source in first half of 2017

Coal supplied about 30% of U.S.power from January through June, compared with 29% for natural gas, according to the U.S. EIA. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2017

Santee Cooper CEO resigns in wake of abandonment of Summer nuclear project

Carter’s replacement has yet to be named, but a search is underway for an interim CEO, a Santee Cooper spokeswoman told Utility Dive.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 28, 2017

Oglethorpe seeks $1.6B from DOE to finish troubled Vogtle nuclear project

The Department of Energy has already pledged $8.6 billion in loans for Southern Co.'s nuclear project, whose fate remains uncertain in the wake of Westinghouse's bankruptcy. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 25, 2017

Michigan muni will retire coal plant in 2025

Lansing Board of Water & Light plans to replace the Erickson Power Plant with renewables, efficiency and natural gas.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2017

Report: Global solar capacity nearing nuclear

New analysis from GTM Research indicates that within five years, global solar capacity could more than double nuclear capacity available today.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2017

Utilities describe long odds to save VC Summer nuclear project

Costs to finish the VC Summer plant could reach $25 billion, according Santee Cooper CEO Lonnie Carter. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2017

DOE releases highly anticipated grid study, faults natural gas for baseload retirements

The study found cheap natural gas to be the greatest driver of plant retirements — and most notably, did not find renewables to be a threat to grid reliability. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 23, 2017

Amid bankruptcy fears, S&P downgrades FirstEnergy Solutions bond rating

But ratings firm Standard & Poor's upgraded the rating of its parent company, FirstEnergy Corp., believing it will sell some of its subsidiary's assets. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2017

Mississippi Power misses Kemper settlement deadline

State regulators previously advised stakeholders that a settlement should not include a rate increase for Mississippi Power customers.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 23, 2017

DC Circuit rejects FERC approval of Southeast pipelines project over climate concerns

The D.C. Circuit Court concluded FERC should have considered climate change impacts when it approved the Southeast Market Pipelines Project last year.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2017

Driving meaningful customer engagement

Amena Ali, chief revenue officer at Whisker Labs, outlines how utilities can drive customer engagement. 

By Amena Ali • Aug. 22, 2017

Report: Trump declined to levy 2-year coal plant retirement moratorium

Coal mining company Murray Energy had lobbied the White House to use a provision of the Federal Power Act allowing federal intervention into power markets during times of emergency.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2017

TVA takes coal ash cleanup case to federal court

The move comes after a federal judge earlier this month determined the utility cannot leave coal ash in place at its Gallatin facility.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2017

MISO reports higher power prices during July

The grid operator attributed the higher prices to heavier loads and weaker wind generation during the period.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 22, 2017