New York PSC request for $98.6M bond for energy service companies 'wild speculation,' critics say

Energy Service Companies, known as ESCOs, have come under scrutiny in New York for allegedly overcharging customers. The state wants the companies to post a bond, almost $100 million, to cover potential repayments.

By Robert Walton • March 14, 2016

General Electric seeks to capture CO2 for energy storage

GE Research is working on a way to use supercritical CO2 to enhance the storage capabilities of thermal solar power.

By Peter Maloney • March 12, 2016

Arkansas joins growing list of states halting work on Clean Power Plan compliance

A joint letter from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and Arkansas Public Service Commission indidcated a planning meeting scheduled this month has been canceled.

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2016

West Virginia lawmakers poised to pass bill to ease coal plant retrofits

The West Virginia Senate’s Committee on Energy, Industry and Mining voted to allow utilities to upgrade boilers at coal plants outside fo the full base rate review process.

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2016

Indiana Michigan Power's plan to burn coal could cost billions, greens say

 Indiana Michigan Power has no plans to shut down the coal-fired Rockport Generating Station, leading environmentalists to question whether the plant is still necessary in the face of possible billions in costs to upgrade. 

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2016

Maryland will keep opposing Dominion's coal ash disposal plan, officials say

The company reached a deal with Prince William County in Maryland, as well as the James River Association environmental group, allowing it to move forward with coal ash removal at 11 ponds.

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2016

US, Canada pledge cooperation on Paris climate accord, clean energy, methane leaks

After the first joint meeting between President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the two nations committed to cutting methane emissions 40%-45% by 2025 from the oil and gas sector, as well as working together on the Paris climate accord.

By Gavin Bade • March 10, 2016

Dominion gears up to close 11 coal ash ponds in Virginia

Draining the ponds will likely begin next month, but protestors are still pushing for changes to permits issued to Dominion Virginia Power by state regulators.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2016

EIA: Gas will top coal for power generation this year

For the first time, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts gas burn will exceed coal in the power sector. And generation is expected to rise 1.6% next year.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2016

EIA: Coal dominated capacity retirements in 2015

Almost 18 GW of generation was pulled offline last year, and of that, 80% was coal-fired, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2016

Bill backing nuclear research unanimously passes House, heads to Senate

The Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act would promote development of small, modular reactors, and other new technologies. Advocates call the measure "an important step forward in maintaining America’s leadership in the worldwide nuclear energy sector."

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2016

Minnesota Power IRP 'out of touch' with renewables demand, greens say

The utility's latest IRP outlines its future power mix, which includes one-third coal, but environmental advocates said Minnesota Power isn't doing enough to invest in renewable energy. 

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2016

SPP notches back-to-back wind generation records

The grid operator achieved 44.8% of its electricity from wind March 6 and 45.1% on March 7, bringing its total record counts to six so far this year. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2016

HECO, E-Gear try storage to resolve solar installation bottleneck in Hawaii

Hawaiian Electric and E-Gear to deploy storage pilot program to address solar installation bottleneck on Molokai.

By Peter Maloney • March 9, 2016

Charts: How will the Clean Power Plan stay affect the utility power mix transition?

Utilities will keep adding renewables and natural gas, but what happens to the Clean Power Plan could have a big effect on just how much of both are brought online in the coming years.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 8, 2016

Wind and solar provided all new U.S. electric capacity in January

Renewables also beat earlier EIA estimates for generation share in 2015. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 8, 2016

Washington Colstrip coal plant bill awaits governor's signature

The measure, creating a fund for the possible decommissioning of two coal-fired units in Montana, still needs the signature of Gov. Jay Inslee (D). 

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2016

Oregon passes utility-scale solar incentives to support 50% RPS

The proposal, overshadowed last week by the larger bill its aims to support, would provide $0.005/kWh for 2 MW to 10 MW installations.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 7, 2016

Clean coalition: How utilities and greens teamed up to pass Oregon's 50% RPS

A unique combination of threat and opportunity brought Oregon’s investor-owned utilities to the negotiating table, but not everyone is pleased with the results.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 7, 2016

BLM issues new guidelines to streamline Western solar development

Identifying Solar Energy Zones aims to shorten development timelines and protect sensitive environments from effects of solar plant construction. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2016

South Carolina governor signs off stricter coal ash disposal law

MRR Pickens LLC, based in North Carolina, has a contract to dispose of coal ash in Pickens County, S.C., but the deal may now be in danger.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2016

Virginia lawmakers push back slate of clean energy bills into 2017

Virginia lawmakers have largely stopped consideration of more than a dozen renewable and storage measures, but are still making progress on a bill to support Dominion's construction of utility-scale solar projects.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2016

EIA: Solar to lead utility-scale capacity additions in 2016, followed by gas, wind

The forecasted 9.5 GW of solar capacity additions would be slightly higher than the 9.4 GW added in the three previous years combined.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 3, 2016

NRC engineers urge shutdown of nuclear plants if design flaw not fixed

"Open phase events" could impact almost any United States nuclear plant, potentially damaging cooling systems, a group of engineers at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have told the agency.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2016

Oregon bill to curb coal, set 50% RPS heads to governor after Senate passage

Gov. Kate Brown is expected to sign the bill to set a 50% renewable energy standard and eliminate coal from the state's power mix. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 3, 2016