Rhode Island lawmakers push FERC to integrate state climate policies into regional pricing

Four lawmakers have sent a letter to federal regulators calling for development of energy market price formulations that include shadow carbon pricing.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2016

Nuclear backers: California legislature, not PUC, should review Diablo Canyon closure

The pro-nuclear group Environmental Progress says the state regulatory body is in a "crisis of legitimacy" and wants lawmakers to decide the fate of the massive nuclear plant instead. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 12, 2016

Solar Power Players: SEPA honorees look beyond the rooftop to manage dynamic grids

Distributed solar is just the first challenge coming to the grid edge. These utilities are tackling what's next.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 12, 2016

Hydro, biofuels industries press for tax credit renewal

Solar and wind may tax credits have been extended for several more years, but fuels like biogas and hydropower will see their incentives run out at the end of this year.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2016

AES CEO: Company to phase out new global coal plant construction

The company is investing in storage, renewables and gas-fired power, though it still makes investments in existing coal plants.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2016

California Gov. Brown signs off on ambitious greenhouse gas reduction plan

The state will need to cut emissions at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2016

5 lawmakers, generator challenge New York's nuclear supports

In a letter sent to PSC Chair Audrey Zibelman, five lawmakers are objecting to downstate customers paying more for upstate generation. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2016

PJM's final Clean Power Plan analysis shows the impacts of cheap natural gas

Low gas prices for a 20-year span could pressure more plants into retirement, PJM said in its most recent analysis of compliance with the federal carbon regulations. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2016

EPA finalizes cross-state pollution rule for ozone-causing nitrogen oxides

The final rules for 22 states are less stringent than environmentalists hoped. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 8, 2016

Electricity choice on the chopping block in Michigan as state debates reliability, renewables

Clean energy and efficiency could be the key to unlocking a bitter dispute over reliability and choice in the Great Lakes State. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 8, 2016

EIA: Nuclear outages jumped 50% this summer

Outages peaked in June, when almost 10% of the United States' nuclear capacity was offline.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2016

FERC oversight role at stake in DC Circuit hearing over ISO-NE power auction

Public Citizen sued the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, arguing rates set in a 2014 New England capacity auction should not have been allowed to take effect.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2016

After Aliso Canyon methane leak, California natural gas generation down 20%

The California Independent System Operator turned to hydro and other renewables, along with power imports, to meet demand during the dog days of summer.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2016

Eversource mulls pipeline funding options following Massachusetts court setback

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled electric utilities could not charge customers to develop the Northeast Access pipeline, but some of the project's backers are refusing to give up.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2016

Enbridge to buy Spectra Energy for $28B, creating energy infrastructure giant

The combined entity would be the largest energy infrastructure company in North America and would have an enterprise value of more than $127 billion.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2016

Despite sluggish demand growth, Duke Energy plans more solar, natural gas in IRP

After taking into account energy efficiency measures, Duke Energy Carolinas expects about 1% annual growth over the next 15 years, according to its recent IRP filed in North Carolina. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2016

Southern California Edison proposes $2.1B capex for DER integration

SCE did not provide forecast ranges for total capital expenditures through 2020, saying it has no prior experience with rate cases related to DER integration. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2016

Portland General Electric pushes to add 860 MW gas, 50 MW solar capacity to Carty plant

PGE and Oregon's other investor-owned utilities must hit 50% renewable energy and stop using coal-fired electricity by 2040. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2016

Northeast utilities prepare for threat from tropical storm Hermine

The storm was downgraded from a hurricane this weekend, but it's still about 140 miles off the coast of Nantucket and moving west. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2016

ERCOT: Texas grid has enough supply to serve 9.5% demand increase

Roughly 1 GW of new gas and wind power will aid the grid operator in meeting the boost in demand. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2016

DOE: Converting Colstrip coal plant to carbon capture would cost $1.2B

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock requested the analysis in hopes of saving the 2,094 MW plant, which is slated for retirement.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 2, 2016

Southern Co. finalizes 50% stake in Kinder Morgan pipeline system

Kinder Morgan will continue to operate the 7,600 mile Southern Natural Gas system.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2016

Winds of change: How the industry can continue wind power's boom into the 2020s

Better grid integration and lower tech costs will be key to continuing wind's record growth, but big market and policy obstacles are looming. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 1, 2016

Former NRC chair pushes against relicensing older plants, advocates new nuclear construction

According to former NRC Chair Allison Macfarlane, pressures from cheap gas mean nuclear plants may be doing the bare minimum to keep facilities running.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 1, 2016

NREL: Eastern Interconnect can handle 30% renewable energy

A new study says the Eastern U.S. grid could add another 400 GW of wind and solar power using existing technologies and grid management practices.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 1, 2016