The power sector must heed shareholder calls for 2-degree scenario analysis

Ceres' Dan Bakal says utility sector shareholders have made clear they want their companies to plan for a low-carbon future

By Dan Bakal • June 27, 2017

As gas plants struggle, California seeks new flexible capacity strategies

With up to 6 GW of gas plants at risk of closure in the coming years, energy stakeholders are scrambling for new compensation techniques and zero-carbon alternatives. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 27, 2017

EIA panel: Nuke financial woes are a 'market failure'

Nuclear panelists at the Energy Administration Information's annual conference said the premature retirement of some nuclear facilities could be averted through government intervention or market reforms. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 27, 2017

Green groups oppose TVA plan to test small nuclear reactors

The Tennessee Valley Authority wants to install small modular nuclear reactors at the Clinch River site near Kingston, Tenn.

By Robert Walton • June 27, 2017

New Brattle study touts flexible grid, dismisses 'baseload' hype

Focusing on "baseload" generation is "not a useful perspective for ensuring the cost-effective and reliable supply of electricity," authors wrote. 

By Robert Walton • June 27, 2017

GTM: Proposed solar tariffs could put 47 GW of planned installations at risk

The analysis firm predicts "unprecedented demand destruction" if Suniva's tariff proposal is approved, threatening up to two-thirds of planned solar deployments. 

By Robert Walton • June 27, 2017

Dominion Energy scouting for pumped storage sites in Virginia

Officials said they are evaluating how to take advantage of a pumped hydro bill that encouraged utilities to site facilities in the state's coalfield region. 

By Peter Maloney • June 27, 2017

Summer nuke owners reach new construction agreement with Westinghouse

SCANA and Santee Cooper now have until early August to finalize a new plan to complete the plant, but Westinghouse's timeline and cost estimates have reportedly gone missing. 

By Peter Maloney • June 26, 2017

FERC staff greenlights Mountain Valley Pipeline in environmental review

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission can't issue a final decision until President Trump's nominees are approved by the Senate.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2017

PJM: FirstEnergy's Ohio nukes not necessary to maintain grid reliability

A PJM Interconnection executive told Crain's there may be reasons to save the Davis-Besse and Perry plants, but reliability isn't one of them. 

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2017

Atlantic Coast Pipeline 'in the homestretch' despite continued protests

Opponents say the pipeline is unnecessary and destructive, but don't expect that to stop FERC approval.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2017

Heat wave sets new power demand records across Arizona

Temperatures of nearly 120°F pushed demand to new heights at three Arizona utilities, while California power providers called for customer cutbacks. 

By Peter Maloney • June 26, 2017

Montana regulators vote to cut PURPA payment rates by 40%

Regulators also trimmed contract lengths from 20 years to five years, with an option to extend for another five. 

By Peter Maloney • June 26, 2017

Duke wants extension of contracts underpinning Atlantic Coast Pipeline

Three utilities have asked North Carolina regulators to extend the deadline on gas purchase agreements which are set to expire, and necessary to develop a 600-mile regional pipeline.

By Robert Walton • June 23, 2017

API positions gas as all-purpose resource for grid reliability

The natural gas lobby believes gas is more than a traditional generation resource and can perform services like frequency response and energy storage in wholesale markets. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 23, 2017

Kemper plant could run solely on natural gas after Mississippi regulatory directive

Mississippi regulators plan to order the utility to draw up a plan for the Kemper plant that would allow the facility to run only on natural gas and limit further rate increases to customers. 

By Gavin Bade , Robert Walton • June 22, 2017

Study: Merchant generation industry ‘in crisis’ across US

Low gas prices, stagnant demand and subsidized renewables are not allowing merchant generators to recover fixed costs, according to Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP and the Power Research Group.

By Robert Walton • June 22, 2017

House clears bill extending nuclear production tax credit

The measure would cost $16 million over 10 years and remove the requirement that a nuclear plant must be in service by 2020 to receive the tax credit.

By Peter Maloney • June 22, 2017

Iowa town mulls forming municipal utility

The town of Decorah has less than 10,000 residents and currently takes service through Alliant Energy. But the utility's franchise agreement expires in less than a year.

By Robert Walton • June 22, 2017

Hold 'em or fold 'em: New nuclear build permits hold 'option value' for 5 utilities

Market conditions aren't conducive for new nuclear today, but companies see value in completing construction permits for future reactors.

By Peter Maloney • June 21, 2017

Coal, gas interests face off in Ohio House over OVEC subsidy bill

The financial support bill would help keep online two coal plants run by Ohio Valley Electric Corp., which is owned by a group of utilities from across the state.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2017

Maui company aims for Hawaii's self-supply market with all-day storage option

HiVE Energy says its residential and commercial batteries can provide a full day of storage, making them appealing for Hawaii's non-export solar tariff. 

By Peter Maloney • June 21, 2017

Perry defends proposed DOE cuts, baseload review at House hearing

The Secretary of Energy voiced support for "not just our nuclear plants but any plants able to run that baseload."

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2017

North Carolina lawmakers mull amendment weakening coal ash recycling

The utility had been required to recycle coal ash at three disposal sites, but lawmakers could potentially reduce that to two.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2017

Report: Renewable energy is no threat to power reliability

The research, performed by Analysis Group, attempts to mirror a study of the United States power grid ordered by Secretary of Energy Rick Perry.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2017