Mass. Sen. Markey to push extension of 30% ITC for offshore wind to 2025

Long lead times for offshore wind facilities means many developers can't take advantage before current incentives phase out in the early 2020s. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2016

PJM wants FERC review of proposed Ohio power plant subsidies

The state is considering controversial proposals from American Electric Power and FirstEnergy to guarantee profits from some struggling plants, but PJM is joining calls for more oversight of the contracts, which they say will lead to disruption in regional markets

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2016

North Carolina approves 2 of Duke's 3 proposed gas units, opponents vow appeal

Critics, wary of increasing reliance on natural gas, are already indicating they will appeal the state's decision, saying Duke "never had to substantiate its claim that customer demand will soar."

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2016

The sector favorite: Storage tops utility tech picks for second year running

Utility Dive's third annual survey of electric utility professionals shows even greater interest in energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • March 1, 2016

Minnesota Power line approved to link Canadian hydro and storage to Midwest wind

The Great Northern transmission line line will help the Minnesota utility access hydropower and pumped storage facilities in Manitoba. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2016

Wind on track to top hydro as the leading U.S. renewable after 2017

Fueled by the PTC extension, wind growth barrels ahead as hydro expansion remains more modest.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2016

EIA: Gas topped coal-fired generation in seven months last year

Coal-fired generation's share of the national mix is continuing to slide, and lost out to gas in the final six months of 2015.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2016

Report: Vermont consumers receive no renewable energy despite industry's growth

A flawed system of renewable energy certificates, which encourages their sale to out of state buyers, means greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector are spiking, according to the Institute for Energy and the Environment at Vermont Law School.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2016

'Only a matter of time': U.S. offshore wind struggles to get off the ground

The U.S. offshore wind industry still lags far behind Europe and China but it has its first steel in the water and sees growth in its future.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2016

Consistent change: How utility professionals view the evolving power mix

The new resource mix will meet federal regulations and state mandates with wind and solar supported by natural gas and DERs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 29, 2016

Pennsylvania PUC dubious over Ohio plant subsidy case

New stories that Pennsylvania regulators are keeping a close watch on subsidy proposals in neighboring Ohio have brought a restrained, but pointed, response from American Electric Power.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 29, 2016

Supreme Court skeptical Maryland state subsidies didn't overstep FERC jurisdiction

Most of the eight Supreme Court justices appeared convinced a state subsidy program in Maryland oversteps into federal power markets.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 29, 2016

Oregon GOP, Dems squabble on clean energy bill to end coal imports, boost renewables

But a Republican walkout in the Senate and delay tactics in both houses may not be enough to stop the measure, which would end Oregon's coal-fired electricity imports.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 29, 2016

Dynegy, Energy Capital pair up for $3.3B deal to buy 8,731 MW of fossil fuel plants

Dynegy and Energy Capital Partners inked a joint venture to acquire 8,731 MW of capacity owned by French utility Engie SA, located in ERCOT, PJM, and ISO-New England

By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2016

Two Colorado utilities propose natural gas investments, but critics say consumers could foot the bill

Black Hills Energy and Xcel Energy have both requested authority from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to invest in natural gas reserves.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2016

No longer neutral, Nevada sides with states opposing the Clean Power Plan

Nevada, previously on the sidelines of the Clean Power Plan lawsuits, has filed an amicus brief in the D.C. Federal Court of Appeals announcing the state will "push back on unaccountable federal agencies."

By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2016

Congressional bipartisan group introduces carbon capture bill in House

The bill would incentivize deployment capture carbon dioxide equipment at coal plants, for use in enhance oil production.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2016

Wind energy broke records across central US in late February

Grid operators for ERCOT, MISO, and SPP are all handling wind penetrations that top 40%. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

States go back to Supreme Court for second bite at blocking MATS

The high court rejected the air pollution rules on technical grounds last year, but a lower court ruling has allowed the EPA to continue enforcing the rules.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 25, 2016

MISO: Exelon, Dynegy propose capacity market reforms in southern Illinois

Dynegy and Exelon told the Midcontinent Independent System Operator that planning cycles should extend multiple years in order to send appropriate price signals.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2016

AEP wants FERC to stay out of Ohio plant subsidy proceeding

American Electric Power wants federal regulators to keep out of an Ohio proceeding where the state is considering shifting financial risk to consumers in order to keep several coal plants operating.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2016

New York PSC forges ahead with second plan to save Entergy's Fitzpatrick nuclear plant

But it may be too little, too late, as the Entergy has repeatedly said it will close the nuclear facility in 2017, which will eliminate about 600 jobs in the state.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2016

ISO-NE: Emissions rose after Vermont Yankee nuclear facility closed

The closure of Entergy's 604-MW Vermont Yankee in late 2014 led to a bump in New England's emissions, said the region's grid operator.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 24, 2016

Nuclear industry in limbo after Clean Power Plan freeze

Carbon-free nuclear generation will help the United States reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but with the Clean Power Plan stayed, the industry is finding it difficult to plan ahead. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 24, 2016

Supreme Court set to hear state-federal power market jurisdiction case today

Conservative Justice Antonin Scalia's death makes it difficult for experts to predict how the Supreme Court will lean. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 24, 2016