Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii Gas cancel LNG import terminal agreement

Hawaiian Electric wants to import gas as a cheaper alternative to fuel oil, but critics call it a distraction from efforts to get to 100% renewables. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 18, 2016

AEP CEO confirms generation is for sale, will accept bids from 'suitable' companies

AEP CEO Nick Akins confirmed that generation is for sale, but didn't confirm or deny Dynegy's claims that it was shut out of the bidding process. 

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2016

It's already happening: New EIA numbers show a utility sector in transformation

John Shenot of the Regulatory Assistance Project writes that “foundational, even tectonic shifts” in electricity generation are present to an even greater extent than most of us realize.

By John Shenot • April 14, 2016

Wind installed more capacity than any other generation source in 2015, industry says

Increasing buy-in from non-utility customers marked strong growth for the sector last year.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 14, 2016

Report: Without nuclear, US states face struggle to meet carbon goals

A new report sponsored by nuclear generators finds their plants account for almost two-thirds of the United States' carbon-free electricity.

By Robert Walton • April 14, 2016

Low gas prices continue to dent coal plant economics

It costs about $1,000/kW to build a new gas plant, but the assets are selling for half that amount or less thanks to cheap gas which usually sets the marginal cost of generation.

By Robert Walton • April 14, 2016

Utilities relieved as Canadian Pacific terminates rail merger that sparked coal shipping concerns

Canadian Pacific said the merger would create a "true end-to-end railroad," but coal shippers were concerned about the potential for cost increases and disruption of services. 

By Robert Walton • April 14, 2016

Federal regulators reject request for more frequent leak testing for Indian Point

It is another setback in Gov. Cuomo's bid to close Entergy's Indian Point nuclear facility, located within 50 miles of New York City.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2016

Stakeholders debate expanding storage's role in MISO markets

Discussions under way at MISO could expand storage into the medium-term market.

By Peter Maloney • April 12, 2016

Graphene: Energy storage's silver bullet or a promise stretched thin?

Graphene's remarkable properties could revolutionize energy storage, but commercial deplyment could be years off.

By Peter Maloney • April 12, 2016

TVA eyes Tennessee site for small modular nuclear reactor test facility

The Tennessee Valley Authority is pursuing its proposal to build small modular nuclear reactors, with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff set to issue an outline for proceedings for an early site permit for the project. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 12, 2016

Civil Rights Commission eyes North Carolina coal ash in environmental justice probe

The Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was at a hearing in North Carolina last week focused on the impacts of coal ash on predominantly low-income, minority communities. 

By Shalina Chatlani • April 12, 2016

'Straight uphill': Power sector reforms face tough path in gridlocked Illinois legislature

Three utility-backed bills to support, nuclear generation, renewables and efficiency did not pass in the last session of the General Assembly. Stakeholders are now trying to role them into a single law.

By Peter Maloney • April 12, 2016

Aquion battery to meet overnight needs of Puerto Rican solar farm

An Aquion battery is being deployed at a 16 MW Puerto Rican solar farm to meet overnight needs.

By Peter Maloney • April 11, 2016

EIA: Waste-to-energy plants concentrated in Florida, Northeast

The United States has about 2.3 GW of waste-to-energy capacity, with most of that concentrated in Florida and the Northeast.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2016

Moody's: Cheap gas could pressure coal, nuclear plants into retirement

In a new report, the rating's agency said lower natural gas prices have "devastated" the merchant power sector.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2016

SolarCity closes $150M securitization for commercial solar+storage

SolarCity continued a string of securitizations with a $150-million financing from Credit Suisse.

By Peter Maloney • April 8, 2016

Dynegy CEO: AEP won't sell plants to those who opposed Ohio subsidy proposals

Dynegy CEO Bob Flexon said American Electric Power has shut the company out of an upcoming sale of Ohio power assets.

By Robert Walton • April 8, 2016

Georgia Power seeks to build more nuclear

Southern CEO Tom Fanning has suggested a public-private partnership with the federal government could help new nuclear plants be constructed.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2016

Vermont officials eye buying hydro dams from TransCanada

TransCanada is selling its New England generation unit, including hydroelectric dams on the Connecticut and Deerfield rivers.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2016

Montana governor wants working group to decide Colstrip coal plant's fate

Gov. Steve Bullock (D) will form a working group to consider "alternative" ownership of the units, which are now controlled by out-of-state parties.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2016

Massachusetts Supreme Court to consider rule allowing utilities to own pipeline capacity

Last year, Massachusetts regulators allowed electric utilities to enter long-term contracts for gas supply, a move necessary to help finance pipelines proposed by Kinder Morgan and Spectra.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2016

'Wake up worrying': NextEra-Hawaiian Electric merger in doubt as regulators near decision time

NextEra's bid to buy Hawaiian Electric has failed to inspire state energy stakeholders, but the merger proceeding isn't a popularity contest.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2016

After PUCO approval, AEP, FirstEnergy await FERC's approval for plant subsidy agreements

Signoff from Ohio regulators was the biggest hurdle, but now FirstEnergy and American Electric Power must convince federal regulators that the plant income gaurantees are a good idea.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2016

Oklahoma utility tries third time to get scrubbers for the Sooner coal plant

But at a hearing this week before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, environmental advocates said they wanted to see wind and solar replace coal generation.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2016