Getting to 100% renewables: How Hawaii plans to get fossil fuels off the grid

In Hawaii, getting consensus around a 100% renewable energy mandate was the easy part. The hard part comes next.

By Gavin Bade • March 23, 2016

Critics demand more renewables in Minnesota Power's power plan

The utility should be able to reduce fossil fuel use below two-thirds of its generation, say clean energy advocates.

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2016

Concerns over Oncor sale mount ahead of hearing this week

A proposed order would approve the deal, but also delay for two years decisions on how to address a tax windfall generated by the utility's restructuring.

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2016

Opponents call for time on AEP plant subsidy decision

The Ohio Manufacturers' Association asked state regulators to delay a decision on American Electric Power's proposed power agreements until federal regulators have weighed in.

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2016

Minnesota regulators submit broad outline for CPP compliance

The state has requested an extension, and the agency charged with developing a compliance strategy said despite a court's stay of the new rule it was moving ahead to complete its initial submittal.

By Robert Walton • March 22, 2016

Xcel Energy faces almost $500M in Prairie Island nuke upgrades

The investment could keep the plant operating past 2030, but the utility is also offering up decommissioning as an alternative.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2016

Leading edge: Hawaii utilities push storage, solar integration for 100% renewables mandate

Two innovative projects on the islands could provide lessons for power providers throughout the country.

By Peter Maloney • March 21, 2016

FERC: Low gas prices continue to push down power prices

But the country has restarted exports of liquefied natural gas, potentially giving a boost to demand and prices.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2016

Nuclear industry demands more 'efficient' decommissioning rules

Plants are spending more than $1 million per month on rules that should no longer apply, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2016

Report: MISO boosts coal retirement projections in recent CPP analysis

The grid operator for much of the United States Midwest also believes the renewable siting process needs updating, according to the report issued last week.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2016

Alevo inks deal for 8-MW storage project in Delaware

Alevo signs deal for 8-MW storage project in Delaware that will sell into PJM.

By Peter Maloney • March 18, 2016

Alaska bill looks to redirect power cost funds for energy efficiency, general fund

As a fund to subsidize higher power costs in rural Alaska reaches nearly $1 billion, lawmakers are considering ways to divert some earnings back into the state's general fund and renewable energy projects.

By Robert Walton • March 18, 2016

Arizona utility to build 63 MW microgrid for on-demand data center

Designed to serve Aligned Data Center's new facility in Phoenix, Arizona Public Service's microgrid will utilize diesel generators and a heat-removal technology which reduces water use by 85%.

By Robert Walton • March 18, 2016

EIA: Gas poised to knock out coal from top spot in 2016

This year for the first time, the U.S. Energy Information Administration believes gas-fired power will exceed coal's share of the generation mix.

By Robert Walton • March 18, 2016

DTE Energy announces $1.4B pipeline upgrade plan in Michigan

The utility said it will modernize its cast iron and steel main pipelines as well as make upgrades at compressor stations and install advanced metering.

By Robert Walton • March 17, 2016

Report: US generators face $2B in lost revenues from rooftop solar

As more homes install rooftop solar, a report from ICF International finds that grid operators plan to cut the amount of conventional generation they purchase starting in 2019. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2016

Australian company unveils major 250 MW geothermal project in California's Salton Sea

Australian company, Controlled Thermal Resources, hopes to obtain regulatory approval through economies of scale and providing a baseload resource to offset intermittant wind and solar resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2016

EIA: Electricity sales fell 1.1% in 2015

It marks the fifth time in the past eight years that power sales have fallen, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said.

By Robert Walton • March 16, 2016

Duke-Piedmont $4.9B deal inches closer to completion with Tennessee regulators' nod

The Tennessee Regulatory Authority approved a change of control necessary for Duke Energy to take over operations in that state if and when North Carolina regulators approve the deal.

By Robert Walton • March 16, 2016

Study: US offshore wind farms costs could drop 55% in 13 years

If wind developers commit to building 2,000 MW of new capacity, economies of scale will drive prices down 55% over 13 years, according to a new study. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 16, 2016

ERCOT: Wind, solar nearly two-thirds new capacity in 2016

The ERCOT system capacity is expected to grow almost 12,500 MW while coal declines and nuclear stagnates. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 16, 2016

Virginia town pushes EPA to probe Dominion coal-ash draining

The Dumfries, Va, town council voted to press federal regulators to investigate whether Dominion Virginia Power violated its permit when more than 30 million gallons of water from the Possum Point coal ash ponds was released into a tributary connected with the Potomac River.

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2016

West Virginia lawmakers greenlight coal-fired power plant upgrade bill

The West Virginia Senate last week passed unanimously a measure allowing utilities to recover the cost of coal upgrades through a bill surcharge and sent it to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D)'s desk. 

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2016

ComEd forges ahead with ambitious microgrid plans amid legislative debate

A $4 million DOE grant could help ComEd build up to six microgrids in Chicago, depending on the outcome of pending legislation.

By Peter Maloney • March 15, 2016

ERCOT: Wind energy climbs, but February demand drops

Record-breaking wind installation helped the resource to overtake nuclear as ERCOT's third largest power source. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 15, 2016