Arizona regulators approve APS demand management, efficiency programs

Approval will allow APS to develop strategies to integrate storage into their demand management programs.

By Peter Maloney • July 15, 2016

Environmental groups file lawsuit against FPL over Turkey Point nuclear issues

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy is suing Florida Power & Light, claiming the utility violated the Clean Water Act while operating a nuclear plant outside Miami.

By Robert Walton • July 15, 2016

How well do consumers understand rooftop solar economics?

A Federal Trade Commission workshop on competition and consumer protection in the DG solar power industry attracted a wide range of comments.

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

California Gov. Brown proposes extension of cap-and-trade program to 2050

The extension aims to help the state cut carbon emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2031. 

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

How to keep the lights on in organized markets

States must seek ways to inject new generation or preserve existing generation through ‘around market’ solutions, former Colorado reuglatory chair Ray Gifford argues.

By Ray Gifford • July 13, 2016

Reprieve for FitzPatrick? Entergy in talks to sell, not shutter, New York nuclear plant

Entergy had planned to close the plant in 2017, but a sale and new subsidies for nuclear generation could see it remain in service.

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2016

Utility clean energy rankings reveal 'unprecedented shift' in power sector paradigms

Even among renewable energy laggards, there's a growing consensus that wind and solar are at the center of the 21st century electricity system.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2016

Puget Sound Energy agrees to shutter 2 oldest units at Colstrip coal plant

Under the retirement agreement, the Sierra Club would dismiss all Clean Air Act allegations regarding the plant.

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2016

Electric market deregulation has failed to deliver on the promise of lower rates

States that kept the vertically-integrated utility model have benefitted from lower prices for consumers, Gerry Anderson, CEO of DTE Energy, writes in a guest post.

By Gerry Anderson • July 12, 2016

New York regulators outline subsidy plan to save upstate nuclear plants

Staff of the Public Service Commission floated a proposal to initially credit eligible nuclear generation with $17.48/MWh as part of a 12-year plan to save upstate plants.

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2016

Southern Co. to purchase 50% stake in Kinder Morgan pipeline system

The announcement comes about a week after Southern closed on its acquisition of AGL Resources, making it the second largest utility company in the country.

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2016

California PUC directs SDG&E to buy more renewables despite RPS compliance

The utility is compliant with current targets under the state's clean energy standard, but did not buy enough capacity in a recent renewable energy auction, regulators said. 

By Peter Maloney • July 11, 2016

Report: Heat wave spikes power prices, demand on East Coast

A heat wave that hit the Mid-Atlantic last week tripled market prices in some areas within the New York ISO, but areas in the PJM Interconnection and New England ISO saw moderate price increases despite demand spikes, according to Platts. 

By Robert Walton • July 10, 2016

Florida regulators give FPL customers a break from nuclear charges

The Public Service Commission approved Florida Power & Light Co.'s request to defer recoupment of $22 million in charges related to the Turkey Point plant near Miami until 2017. 

By Robert Walton • July 10, 2016

Reopening San Onofre settlement could expose customers to higher costs, California utility warns

Amid revelations of secret meetings between a California regulator and utility officials, the state is considering reopening the $3.3 billion settlement. 

By Robert Walton • July 10, 2016

NV Energy subsidiary pushes to invest more in natural gas in IRP

Critics say the utility should be spending more on energy efficiency and renewables, but utility officials say the power is needed for Nevada customers.

By Robert Walton • July 10, 2016

Sonnen cuts battery system cost 40% to serve self-consumption market

Seeing an opportunity in changes to net metering policies, Sonnen has introduced a cheaper battery without backup power features.

By Peter Maloney • July 8, 2016

B&W restructures traditional power business in response to coal decline

Babcock & Wilcox, which provides technologies and services for the power and industrial markets, cut about 200 positions related to the changes.

By Robert Walton • July 8, 2016

PacifiCorp entry to Western EIM could boost carbon emissions, critics say

The Sierra Club said a preliminary study by California ISO modeling scenarios to include PacifiCorp in the Western Energy Imbalance Market failed to detail long-term impacts from the utility's coal fleet. 

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2016

NYISO: Despite efficiency, DER gains, new transmission needed for low-carbon grid

Efficiency and DERs are pushing down load, the grid operator said in a new report, but system upgrades will be needed to meet state clean energy goals. 

By Gavin Bade • July 7, 2016

Anatomy of a nuke closure: How PG&E decided to shutter Diablo Canyon

In a policy environment that prizes renewables, PG&E saw no cost-effective route to keeping the giant nuclear plant open.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2016

New York Green Bank aims to grow portfolio by two-thirds next year

The bank aims to spur innovative reneweable energy projects that would otherwise have trouble attracting investment. 

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2016

RGGI carbon auction prices fall 40% on Clean Power Plan uncertainty

The Northeast's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has yet to map out carbon targets beyond the current cap, which only adds more doubt over the future values of emissions allowances.

By Robert Walton • July 7, 2016

Usually in lockstep, 20% jump in natural gas prices affects power prices little

A hot start to the summer has sent natural gas prices markedly higher, but power prices have not followed suit, partially due to stagnant electricity demand.

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2016

SNL: 21 GW of coal, natural gas, nuclear capacity 'at risk' of closure through 2020

Tighter economics, aging plants and tougher market situations are driving the trend.

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2016