Judge dismisses New York City’s lawsuit against Big Oil

A state judge ruled that NYC had failed to demonstrate that ExxonMobil, Shell, BP and the American Petroleum Institute had deceived consumers about the climate impact of their fossil fuel products.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 23, 2025

State utility regulators, 4 governors urge FERC to lower PJM capacity price cap

However, lowering the cap could stifle efforts to bring new electric supplies to the PJM region, according to Constellation Energy and the Electric Power Supply Association.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2025

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

Lack of Northeast gas pipeline capacity poses ‘severe threats to reliability’ in cold weather: NERC

A report from the Northeast Power Coordinating Council concludes New York and New England natural gas infrastructure is “fully utilized” during extreme winter weather.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2025

Trump freezes IRA funding

The White House issued a memo to clarify the funding pause, specifying that it pertains only to aspects of the law mentioned in Section 2 of the executive order.

By Kate Magill • Updated Jan. 23, 2025

Advanced reactors, interstate cooperation part of New York’s nuclear future: Gov. Hochul

The state will support Constellation Energy’s study of a potential advanced reactor build at one of its operational plants in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Jan. 14.

By Brian Martucci • Jan. 22, 2025

DOE nominee Wright aims to boost power supplies to lower costs

“I'm 100% committed to growing our electricity grid and our energy production and removing those barriers that are standing in the way,” said Chris Wright, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Energy.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 16, 2025

Surging electricity demand drives power-sector agenda

Demand growth projections are “candidly freaking out a lot of people,” including lawmakers, regulators and industry leaders, one expert said.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 16, 2025

PJM’s proposal to unlock unused interconnection capacity gains broad support

The PJM Interconnection’s plan to revise its Surplus Interconnection Service rules could free up 26 GW for a July capacity auction, clean energy trade groups said Monday.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 14, 2025

Biden orders Energy, Defense departments to lease sites for AI data centers, clean energy generation

The executive order calls for using “categorical exclusions” to rapidly site data centers and power generation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2025

PJM’s capacity market proposal faces pushback from market monitor, generators

The PJM Power Providers Group, Advanced Energy United and ratepayer advocates are among those opposing proposed revisions to the grid operator’s must-offer and market seller offer cap rules.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 13, 2025

2025 could be a banner year for natural gas plant acquisitions: Enverus

Gas plant acquisitions exceeded $3.1 billion in 2023 and $4.3 billion in 2024. Deals struck in 2025 will likely eclipse those totals, according to Enverus.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 13, 2025

Constellation’s $16.4B purchase of Calpine would create largest US power generator

The combined entity would have almost 60 GW of generating capacity from zero- and low-emission sources, including nuclear, natural gas, geothermal, hydro, wind, solar and batteries.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2025

PJM ‘shovel-ready’ interconnection plan draws mixed reviews at FERC

State utility regulators and power plant owners told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission they support PJM’s Reliability Resource Initiative, but renewable developers and others oppose it.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 9, 2025

Data centers drive growth, risk for PG&E, Constellation, NorthWestern: BofA

Electric utilities that can increase earnings related to data center energy demand should see their share prices rise in 2025, according to Bank of America Global Research.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2025

9 US electric power sector issues to watch in 2025

From rising electricity prices and demand to emerging opportunities and challenges around nuclear energy, virtual power plants, renewables and more, we’ve highlighted nine of the most important issues for the year ahead.

By Robert Walton, Ethan Howland, Diana DiGangi, Larry Pearl, Brian Martucci • Jan. 8, 2025

FERC approves Shell purchase of 600-MW gas-fired plant in Rhode Island

The deal, expected to close this quarter, gives Shell “valuable trading opportunities” in the New England power markets, according to the company.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 8, 2025

Virginia to get world’s first commercial fusion power plant

Commonwealth Fusion Systems announced it will build the multibillion-dollar project in Chesterfield County.

By Zachary Phillips • Jan. 7, 2025

Texas, Utah, Last Energy challenge NRC’s ‘overburdensome’ microreactor regulations

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s “incredibly costly” licensing process hinders the U.S. nuclear industry, the two states and nuclear developer said in a federal lawsuit filed Dec. 30 in Texas.

By Brian Martucci • Jan. 6, 2025

National Grid, Con Edison urge FERC to adopt gas pipeline reliability requirements

To bolster the gas system during cold weather, the federal agency should set pipeline reporting requirements, adopt enforcement mechanisms and tighten the use of “force majeure,” the utilities said.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 6, 2025

Pennsylvania asks FERC to lower PJM capacity price cap to prevent ‘runaway’ costs

The complaint at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission adds to the turmoil surrounding PJM’s capacity market since its auction in July produced record high prices.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 2, 2025

Texas scraps $1B performance credit mechanism proposal as reliability benefits questioned

"We’ve spent countless hours evaluating the PCM — up until, literally, my last open meeting,” Commissioner Lori Cobos said Thursday. She announced her retirement in December.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2024

FERC floats ‘ride-through’ reliability standards for wind, solar, batteries, plus 5 other open meeting takeaways

The standards are the first in what is expected to be a suite of NERC rules for inverter-based resources, which can trip offline during grid disturbances.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 20, 2024

Biden raises GHG emissions goal, but climate experts say Trump ‘hellbent’ on reversing course

“Even though the Trump administration may not lift a finger to deliver on this plan, it sets a north star for what the U.S. should be aiming for,” said World Resources Institute's Debbie Weyl.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2024

Ameren Missouri will spend $61M to mitigate Clean Air Act violations from Missouri power plant

The agreement resolves litigation around the utility’s 1,178-MW, coal-fired Rush Island power plant, which Ameren Missouri shuttered in mid-October.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 19, 2024

Oklo inks 12-GW advanced reactor supply agreement with data center developer Switch

Initial deployments of the 50-MWe Aurora powerhouse reactor could begin as early as 2029, Oklo said today.

By Brian Martucci • Dec. 18, 2024