Duke, regulators settle Dan River coal ash spill fine for $6M

State regulators proposed a $6.8 million fine for the coal ash spill, but the utility appealed.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2016

DC Circuit judges grill EPA, industry lawyers in first round of Clean Power Plan hearings

It was difficult to say which side got the better of the first three-and-a-half hours of Clean Power Plan testimony at the D.C. Circuit Tuesday morning. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2016

'Eyes wide open': Despite climate risks, utilities bet big on natural gas

Scientists say the United States can't build much more fossil fuel infrastructure if it wants to meet the Paris climate goals. So why are utilities going all-in on gas?

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2016

Study: Transportation CO2 emissions outpace power sector

As the power sector shifts from coal to gas to cut emissions, transportation takes the No.1 spot as biggest CO2 emitter. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2016

Settlement between bidders, Great Plains Energy opens possibility of bidding war for Westar

The settlement removed provisions in the original process that barred potential bidders from entering a higher bids. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2016

Ohio regulators approve 1,100 MW natural gas plant

Developers of gas-fired projects are rushing to the Buckeye State, which must find a way to replace retiring coal capacity.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2016

Environmentalists challenge FERC's Sabal Trail pipeline approval

The green groups want the courts to overturn approval of a $3.2 billion natural gas pipeline that aims to supply power plants in Florida.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2016

Xcel Energy seeks to add 1,500 MW of wind power

With falling costs and temporary tax assistance, wind is "in the money."

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 23, 2016

House committee votes to lift 2020 deadline on nuclear power tax credit

Plants under construction by Southern Co. and SCANA Corp. are behind schedule and risk losing out on federal assistance if the deadline is not lifted.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 23, 2016

TVA building a 'mountain of ash' to deal with coal waste

The Tennessee Valley Authority is experimenting with a new technology, "intelligent compaction," to form coal ash into impermeable structures.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2016

Michigan, MISO push advance planning to fix looming state generation shortfall

FERC must still approve the idea, but the proposal identifies resource adequacy requirements three years in advance.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2016

Exelon faces $1.4B tax bill for sale of coal plants

The company could pay more than $1.4 billion, the result of tax deferrals related to the 1999 sale of coal generation plants.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2016

Paris climate accord poised to come into force after 31 countries ratify

Adding in verbal commitments made yesterday from some nations, officials expect the agreement to soon have enough support to go into effect. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2016

ERCOT: Narrow reserves boost real-time prices above $700/MWh

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas had predicted a reserve capacity shortage last Friday afternoon and evening.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2016

How Southern California Edison's new rate case would transform the grid

SCE wants to spend $2.3 billion to ready its grid for distributed resources. Here's what that money would buy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2016

SNL: Lower operating costs drive new gas-fired power development

Gas, wind and solar plants have the lowest operating costs and as a result will make up the overwhelming majority of new capacity additions through 2020.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2016

Updated: Local mayors, nuclear backers urge CPUC to deny PG&E's Diablo Canyon closure plan

Critics of the plan to replace the massive nuclear plant with renewables and efficiency say PG&E isn't properly measuring its potential impacts.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 20, 2016

Enphase survey: Batteries don't fit the bill for most residential backup power needs

Customers are interested in backup power, a new residential survey found, but their demands are more suited to generators than solely batteries.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 20, 2016

With AEP deal, private equity continues gobbling up utility plants

Private equity was the winner, once again, in an auction of four AEP plants totaling 5,200 MW.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 20, 2016

Los Angeles to study 100% clean energy goals

The Los Angeles City Council directed the city's Department of Water and Power to study how it can transition away from fossil fuels.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2016

California appeals court to review approval of 500 MW Carlsbad gas plant

Opponents of the $2.2 billion Carlsbad gas plant proposed in southern California want more renewable energy and storage in place of fossil fuel generation. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2016

FRCC: Florida reserve margin to remain over 20% as state leans on gas generation

Despite a rising population and increased reliance on gas, Florida reliability coordinators expect sufficient generation supply for the next decade.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 19, 2016

Minnesota PUC approves industrial rate cut

The decision means eleven of Minnesota Power's largest customers will see a 5% rate reduction, but the residential ratepayers will see a hike in their bills.  

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2016

Washington adopts rule to cap emissions from large polluters

But the measure stops short of financially charging large sources of carbon emissions, an approach Gov. Jay Inslee had previously supported.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2016

As utilities ramp up gas, Enbridge play for Spectra highlights increasing value of pipelines

Utilities are using more gas and pipelines are getting harder to build, meaning existing gas transportation is getting more lucrative.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2016