Report: Trump executive orders to target Clean Power Plan, coal production, water rules

Media reports indicate President Trump will roll back the CPP, Waters of the U.S. rule and coal leasing restricitions in a series of executive orders.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 22, 2017

Duke to seek higher rates to pay for coal ash cleanup

Duke Carolinas could pass $5 billion in coal ash cleanup costs to ratepayers in North and South Carolina through upcoming rate cases. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 21, 2017

Herding cats: California PUC President Picker on the new DER Action Plan

A new regulatory roadmap aims to guide the power sector into the distributed energy future, but is everyone along for the ride? 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 21, 2017

Prospects improve for Minnesota gas plant bill after groups drop opposition

Two business and consumer advocacy groups say they will no longer actively oppose a bill authorizing Xcel Energy to construct a gas-fired power plant without regulatory review. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2017

Green groups demand appeal over Sunoco's Mariner gas pipeline approval

Pennsylvania regulators approved the 300 mile-long Mariner East 2 pipeline on Monday and environmental groups appealed hours later.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 16, 2017

Generators file federal court complaint against Illinois nuclear credits

Calpine, Dynegy and others argue payments to Illinois nuclear plants intrude on FERC's authority to regulate wholesale power markets. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 16, 2017

NARUC 2017: A little less climate and a lot more infrastructure

Donald Trump's election has shifted state regulators' focus from carbon regulation to pipelines.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 16, 2017

EPA: US greenhouse gas pollution falls below 1994 levels

Lower energy demand and fuel shifting in the power sector have seen emissions trend lower since 2007. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 16, 2017

How federal tax reform could complicate prospects for renewable energy

Republican plans to upend the tax code present both benefits and pitfalls for wind and solar power, financial analysts say.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 15, 2017

New Mexico bill would require competitive resource procurement at utilities

The bill would compel utilities to choose the least-expensive supply option when proposing new power purchases, a rule backers say will boost clean energy.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2017

Damage to California's Oroville dam takes down 800 MW of hydropower

Northern California will likely turn to natural gas to replace energy that would have been produced at the dam north of San Francisco.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2017

EIA: Without Clean Power Plan, coal will regain top spot in generation mix

Absent federal carbon rules, EIA believes coal will again become the dominant generation source by 2019 and hold the top spot for more than a decade.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2017

Utilities vote to close 2,250 MW Navajo plant, largest coal generator in western US

Competition from cheap natural gas generation is again the reason behind the second major coal closure announcement in a month.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2017

New report questions need, cost of Access Northeast gas pipeline project

According to Synapse Energy Economics, the pipeline will cost $6.6 billion to construct — twice what project backer Spectra Energy has estimated.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2017

What Neil Gorsuch, Trump's Supreme Court nominee, could mean for energy policy

Gorsuch doesn't have a huge body of energy legal decisions, but rulings regarding Chevron deference and the Commerce Clause shed some light on how he could affect the industry. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2017

Virginia lawmakers pass bill for new utility pumped hydro storage facilities

HB 1760, passed nearly unanimously, would push for streamlined regulatory approval for one or more utility-owned pumped hydro projects.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 14, 2017

Prices plummet in ISO-NE capacity auction, raising questions about new generation plans

The grid operator easily filled its capacity quota for 2020 and 2021, leading some groups to question whether planned gas plants should be constructed. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2017

New Hampshire bills would withdraw state from RGGI, repeal renewables mandate

Conservative groups have backed the measures, but one GOP senator doubts they will pass. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2017

California regulators to consider shuttering Aliso Canyon gas storage facility

The gas storage facility was the site of the nation's worst-ever methane leak, which curtailed fuel supplies to area generators. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2017

Navy developing 44 MW solar+storage facility on Kauai

The project would make the Barking Sands missile testing facility a net zero military installation, according to the Navy.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 13, 2017

Wind capacity blows past hydro to become most plentiful US renewable

Installed wind capacity is more than 82,000 MW, according to a trade group, making it the nation's largest renewable resource.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2017

Invenergy launches energy investment fund with stake in cloud company Aquilon

The developer's first fund will not invest in physical projects or equipment, but in companies that use technology to improve the operation of energy assets.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 13, 2017

ERCOT: January coal generation significantly higher than last year

Coal produced 36% of ERCOT power last month, down from December, but up from 25% in January 2015.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2017

Connecticut lawmakers prepare legislation to support Millstone nuclear plant

The bill to support the 2,110 MW nuclear plant is expected to recall zero-emission credit schemes in New York and Illinois. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 10, 2017

10 rooftop solar debates to watch in 2017 and beyond

Policy debates over rooftop solar compensation continue to evolve into more sophisticated conversations about electricity rate design. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 9, 2017