How did Florida utilities do with Irma outages, PSC asks customers

The Public Service Commission invited customers to submit comments on how long it took to restore their power and how well their utility kept them informed throughout Hurricane Irma.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 11, 2017

A bipartisan view on modernizing the US electric grid

Congress must incentivize power industry innovations yielding cleaner and more customized energy services, the Republican and Democratic co-chairs of the Grid Innovation Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives write.

By Robert E. Latta, Jerry McNerney • Oct. 11, 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

Montana PSC extends energy, PURPA contracts to 15 years

The ruling applies to all energy contracts, not just PURPA, though some regulators expressed qualms over extending the contract length. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2017

Ohio siting board approves 2 gas-fired projects

The combined projects total 1,950 MW and follow a contentious Energy Department cost recovery proposal for struggling nuclear and coal facilities. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2017

Nuclear plant closures to test sufficiency of decommissioning funds

The growing number of shutdowns will test how well funding levels match decommissioning cost estimates. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2017

Hurricane Nate takes out power to 60K in Southeast

The Category 1 storm made landfall twice in the northern part of the Gulf Coast, slamming Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, and leaving more than 100,000 in the dark at its peak. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 9, 2017

As DOE seeks to boost coal, Luminant to shut major Texas plant

The company said it will take 1,800 MW of the Monticello power plant offline in January, citing unprecedented low power prices that have "profoundly impacted its operating revenues." 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 9, 2017

Updated: Duke Energy threatened with lawsuit over coal ash plan for Belews Creek

Duke Energy has agreed to clean up coal ash at 10 out of 16 sites in North Carolina. The potential litigation targets Belews Creek, one of the six remaining sites.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2017

Puente gas plant should not be approved, California energy committee says

A California Energy Commission committee said the proposed NRG Energy project would spark "significant unmitigated environmental effects" and fail to align with several policies and laws. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 6, 2017

Perry: Cost recovery rule is 'not a directive' for FERC

The Secretary of Energy shot back at criticism of his coal and nuclear support proposal on Friday, saying there "is no free market" for electricity, according to the Washington Examiner. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 6, 2017

Trump appoints coal lobbyist to No. 2 EPA slot

Energy lawyer Andrew Wheeler has represented coal giants in court and worked as a staffer for prominent climate denier Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK).

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 6, 2017

The DOE NOPR: An inevitable next step in power ‘market’ regulation

It was only a matter of time before 'around market' reforms went 'in market,' write Ray Gifford and Matt Larson.

By Ray Gifford, Matt Larson • Oct. 6, 2017

FERC terminates inquiry on cybersecurity controls for grid control centers

The agency said current cybersecurity measures provide sufficient protection from cyberattacks and some of the proposed modifications could pose operational risks.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2017

Reports: EPA set to justify CPP repeal with new cost math

The EPA will argue that repealing the Clean Power Plan will save $33 billion in compliance costs by 2030, according to media reports, a calculation critics say ignores broad power sector trends. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 6, 2017

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

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

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

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