Report: California customers may face 14 days of blackouts from low gas supplies

Southern California Gas and San Diego Gas & Electric have asked for strict restrictions on gas nominations heading into the peak summer season, while California officials warn customers in the region could face 14 days of controlled, localized blackouts as gas supplies run low. 

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2016

Kemper coal gasification plant costs rise $18M

Originally expected to cost $2.8 billion, the plant's pricetag has risen to almost three times that amount to $6.6 billion

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2016

Electric Fuel Energy of Israel claims over 10 hour discharge for its iron flow battery

Electric Fuel Energy says its iron flow battery is safer than other chemistries and could reduce overall costs.

By Peter Maloney • April 5, 2016

EIA: Natural gas plant utilization topped coal in 2015

The capacity factor of the U.S. natural gas combined-cycle fleet averaged 56% in 2015, just barely above the 55% notched by coal steam plants.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2016

Bernie Sanders wants to wean the US off nukes, starting with Indian Point

Senator Bernie Sanders is the only Presidential candidate calling for an end to nuclear energy, which currently supplies about 20% of the United States' energy demand.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2016

Clean Power Plan sees diverse support in court filings, including utilities

From renewable advocates to tech giants and candy makers, the Obama administration's signature climate change rule has a wide range of supporters in court.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2016

Wisconsin governor lifts new nuclear moratorium

The new law allows utility regulators to approve nuclear power plants ahead of “nonrenewable combustible energy resources”

By Herman K. Trabish • April 5, 2016

SunEdison's financial woes could scuttle storage deal with Imergy in India

SunEdison's financial troubles could threaten Imergy's battery roll-out in India.

By Peter Maloney • April 4, 2016

How DOE is leveraging federal authority to ease transmission development

The Dept. of Energy is exercising powers that allow it to speed siting and construction of interstate transmission, but not everyone is pleased.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 4, 2016

Report: 2015 simulated grid attack revealed communication sharing problems

Among the report's findings, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation is calling for enhanced information sharing and communication capabilities.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2016

Massachusetts power providers pay $8.5M in fines for emissions scheme

Berkshire Power Co LLC and two other companies will pay $8.5 million to resolve allegations of tampering with environmental monitoring equipment.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2016

Washington governor signs off Colstrip bill with partial veto

Over objections from Montana, where the coal plants are located, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed a bill allowing funds to be set aside for their decommissioning.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2016

Kinder Morgan halts Palmetto Pipeline project over Georgia proposed pipeline moriatorium

After Georgia lawmakers passed a law restricting the use of eminent domain, Kinder Morgan announced work on the Palmetto Pipeline was halted.

By Robert Walton • April 1, 2016

Alevo partners to develop 10 MW storage project in Texas

Ormat Technologies has teamed up with Alevo to enter the storage market with a project in Georgetown, Texas, one of the first cities in the United States pledging to go 100% renewables. 

By Peter Maloney • March 31, 2016

Ohio PUC approves AEP, FirstEnergy plant subsidy requests

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved requests to guarantee income for some aging nuclear and coal plants for American Electric Power and FirstEnergy, but modified the proposals to ensure rate stabilization for consumers. 

By Krysti Shallenberger, Gavin Bade • March 31, 2016

Report: EEI hired brand crisis consultant to improve utility industry's image

Facing growing criticism from environmentalists and other stakeholders, investor-owned utilities are looking for a way to change the conversation and win back customer trust and loyalty.

By Robert Walton • March 31, 2016

Georgia Power to close half of its coal ash ponds in 2 years

Almost half of the waste reservoirs will be closed within 2 years, the utility said, and almost all will be mothballed within a decade.

By Robert Walton • March 31, 2016

Ohio PUC to decide FirstEnergy, AEP plant subsidy cases today

Ohio regulators today will decide on income guarantees for a handful of power plants run by American Electric Power and FirstEnergy, the culimination of months of debate over the state's energy future.

By Robert Walton • March 31, 2016

Industry experts worry over natural gas 'overbuild'

While conventional wisdom in some regions calls for more pipelines to feed gas generation, new questions are arising about federal regulators' willingness to approve projects and how many are really needed.

By Robert Walton • March 31, 2016

ISO-NE: Solar capacity expanding faster than expected

A 2016 draft study of New England's energy needs shows 30% more solar power will be developed than predicted last year. State support and the U.S. Congress' extension of the investment tax credit has given a boost to developers.

By Robert Walton • March 30, 2016

EPA files 1st defense of Clean Power Plan

The Clean Air Act, says regulators, provides the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with "well-established authority to abate threats to public health and welfare."

By Robert Walton • March 29, 2016

Oregon utility sues construction insurers for cost overruns on power plant

Portland General Electric is suing the two companies who insured Abiensa, which was developing the utility's Carty Generating Station. The cost of that project could rise 30%, and some of the costs could be pushed on ratepayers. 

By Robert Walton • March 29, 2016

Turtles, coral delay Puerto Rico utility's power plans to convert large plant

The island's largest power plant could be forced to shut down, and face almost $40,000 in daily fines.

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2016

Regulatory delays push back Constitution Pipeline construction

The 124-mile Constutition Pipeline is planned to move gas from Pennsylvania to markets in New York, but developers say federal officials moved too slowly on tree-felling permits. 

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2016

In Supreme Court's second power case of 2016, renewable energy advocates are on edge

On paper, the case is about a natural gas plant. But how the U.S. Supreme Court rules a contract between Maryland and a power developer could have broader consequences on interstate markets and renewable energy development.

By Robert Walton • March 24, 2016