FERC revokes market-based rate authority for Berkshire Hathaway companies

Twenty Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidaries in four balancing authority areas out West failed to rebut presumptions of horizontal market power. 

By Peter Maloney • June 14, 2016

With CPP on ice, utilities seek organized market reforms to save baseload plants

Utilities in the Midwest are concerned retiring coal and nuclear plants too early leaves the grid vulnerable to price spikes and reliability problems.

By Gavin Bade • June 14, 2016

US Supreme Court blocks latest challenge to MATS rule

Environmentalists hailed the decision, saying the emissions rules offer "tremendous benefits for the American people."

By Robert Walton • June 14, 2016

MISO: Generation shortfall possible by 2018

Some zones will fall below reserve margins next year, but the grid operator expects power imports will help meet demand.

By Robert Walton • June 14, 2016

Dominion reveals coal ash stored at Chesapeake is 3 times previous estimate

A new document filed in an ongoing lawsuit between Sierra Club and Dominion Virginia Power revealed more than 3 million tons of coal ash are stored at three Virginia locations, well above the Sierra Club's previous estimate of 1 million tons. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 10, 2016

Maine PUC staff: Electric ratepayers should not pay for natural gas pipeline expansion

The report comes in the wake of a 2013 law that allowed regulators to authorize electric utilities to rate base investments in gas transport. 

By Gavin Bade • June 10, 2016

Little less talk: With new revenue models, New York starts to put REV into action

The reforms to utility revenues in the Empire State could set the course for a new model of 21st century power providers.

By Gavin Bade • June 9, 2016

EIA: Natural gas generated almost a third of Q1 power, could hit 34% this year

In a reversal of last year's first quarter, coal made up less than 29% of generation in the first months of 2016.

By Robert Walton • June 9, 2016

Georgia Power: Vogtle nuclear plant on a 'very challenging schedule'

And a Georgia Public Service Commission member said ratepayers should not foot the bill for the utility's proposal to study a new nuclear facility.

By Robert Walton • June 9, 2016

DTE to retire 8 Michigan coal units

The units to be retired generated a quarter of DTE's energy last year. In total, DTE plans to shutter 11 of its 17 coal-fired units by 2023. 

By Robert Walton • June 9, 2016

TVA Watts Bar-2 nuclear unit shuts down hours after first grid connection

The utility says it is investigating why the reactor automatically shut down on Sunday but has no timeline for restart yet.

By Robert Walton • June 9, 2016

Combined heat & power: The grid's 'best kept secret?'

It's the most efficient generation many people have never heard of. But as systems get smaller, the United States may be poised for a second co-generation growth spurt.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2016

MISO: FERC approves first storage interconnection agreement

The agreement is for Indianapolis Power & Light’s (IPL) Harding Street Station Battery Energy Storage System. 

By Peter Maloney • June 8, 2016

Exelon to seek license renewal for Pennsylvania nuclear plant

The decision comes just days after the generator announced plans to shutter two nuclear plants in Illinois.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2016

Virginia regulators issue draft permit for Dominion to drain coal ash pond

It's the first of four permits the utility will need, and incorporates new, stricter environmental protections.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2016

As funding for California's SGIP process grows, regulators look to bolster energy storage

But proposed modifications could change how fuel cell and energy storage technologies compete in the process. 

By Peter Maloney • June 7, 2016

EIA: Constructing a natural gas plant is cheaper than other options

The per-kilowatt cost to construct solar generation was about four times the cost of natural gas installations in 2013, according to new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2016

Without legislative reform, more Exelon nuclear facilities could close

After announcing the early retirement of its Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear plants in Illinois, Exelon has indicated two more facilities could face a similar fate.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2016

Massachusetts lawmakers seek closure of NextEra nuclear plant over degrading walls

Faced with questions over aging concrete walls at the plant, a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said the facility is considered "degraded but operable."

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2016

ERCOT: Coal to drop below 10% of Texas fuel mix by 2030s as solar booms

Solar is expected to grow to about 17% of the capacity mix as EPA rules and market conditions force coal plants offline.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 2016

As nuclear plants shutter, state efforts to save them are coming too late

Exelon's planned closure of two Illinois plants is the latest consequence of low prices in organized electricity markets.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2016

Costs for proposed South Carolina nuclear units rise $800M

South Carolina Electric & Gas said the total cost of the project likely now exceeds $14 billion.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2016

New York Assembly approves climate bill to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions

The bill, which would require elimination of greenhouse gas pollution by 2050, now heads to the state Senate, where it faces longer odds and a tight timeframe.

By Gavin Bade • June 3, 2016

Riverstone to buy generator Talen Energy, take it private for $1.8B

Created after PPL spun off its generation business, Talen has been squeezed by low power market prices in the year since it went public. 

By Gavin Bade • June 3, 2016

FERC: Rooftop solar, battery storage could pose threats to reliability

As distributed resources spread, the line between federal and state jurisdiction over power assets needs to be re-evaluated, experts at a FERC technical conference said. 

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2016