After SCOTUS decision, exiting FERC member Clark pushes for review of DR compensation

"As it so often is, it is about the money," FERC Commissioner Tony Clark wrote in a response to the Supreme Court's decision on Order 745 and the commission's jurisdiction over demand response.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2016

Wind industry added 5 GW capacity in Q4 2015 with 75% of contracts to non-utility customers

The wind energy industry now has nearly 74.5 GW of cumulative installed capacity in the United States. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 29, 2016

NC regulator pushes for solar limits, new nuclear incentives

The renewable energy industry is booming, but Secretary of Environmental Quality Donald van der Vaart wants North Carolina to consider limits on solar farms and incentives for new nuclear generation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

EIA: Natural gas topped coal for fifth consecutive month in November

Before 2015, gas-fired generation had never exceeded coal. But last year, gas came out on top in at least six months and December data are still pending.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

Entergy says proposed New York nuclear plan too late to save FitzPatrick plant

New York is racing to find ways for nuclear generators to continue operating, but Entergy told Bloomberg Business that “whatever this proposal may turn out to be, it would not be in place in time."

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

ConEd creates new subsidiary for electric and gas transmission

Just last week the company's new subsidiary, Consolidated Edison Transmission, LLC, announcd it had acquired 12.5% of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2016

ISO-NE chief: Winter leaves gas-reliant New England in 'precarious' spot

Last year, the New England ISO got almost half its power from gas-fired generation — up from 15% in 2000, and more than any other fuel source in the region.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2016

Rebuffed by DC Circuit, CPP opponents appeal to Supreme Court for stay on carbon rules

The expedited hearing schedule set last week by the D.C. Circuit Court won't be fast enough to prevent "irreparable harms" to states, the critics argue.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2016

New Jersey Gov. Christie vetoes offshore wind bill

The bill, sent back to the legislature without Christie's signature, would have pushed regultors to reconsider smaller offshore wind energy applications. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

In PURPA ruling, FERC says Entergy not obligated to buy from large QFs

Federal regulators ruled Entergy does not need to purchase power from most qualifying facilities over 20 MW, saying MISO already affords them the "nondiscriminatory access" to power markets envisioned by the law. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

New York regulators propose nuclear power mandate in new clean energy plan

Utilities will need to procure almost 16% of their power from nuclear sources in New York by 2020 under a proposal to save the state's carbon-free generators.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2016

Kentucky pursues Clean Power Plan extension, but plans to keep fighting regulation

The announcement is significant because the state had previously it would not play ball with the new carbon regulations, but requesting an extension means states must demonstrate progress on a plan.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2016

National Grid pursues approval for long-term natural gas capacity contracts

The utility has asked Massachusetts regulators for authorization to sign long-term fuels supply contracts, which it says could save customers billions of dollars.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2016

FERC's Tony Clark won't seek reappointment, warns of CPP challenges

EnergyWire reports that Tony Clark, the lone Republican FERC commissioner, will not seek reappointment when his term expires at the end of June.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2016

Two competing carbon control bills on tap for Oregon legislature

One bill aims to set emissions caps and encourage trading, while the other would phase out coal-fired generation and set ambitious reneawble energy goals. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2016

As hearings conclude, FirstEnergy subsidy proposal remains in doubt

FirstEnergy reached a 16-party settlement last year in the plant subsidy case, but a pair of offers from rival generators say the plan would upend regional electric markets and have offered alternative power supply proposals. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2016

Report: 2016 capacity additions will net 45 GW to US grid

The United States electricity grid will add 55 GW of net capacity this year, predominantly composed of wind, gas and solar power.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2016

Can utilities learn to love distributed solar like central station arrays?

Utility-scale solar has become mainstream among U.S. power providers, but persisting questions around cost and valuation are masking further opportunties in the distributed generation space, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016

NEI: Nuclear power industry likely set new capacity factor record in 2015

The results are still preliminary, but according to the Nuclear Energy Institute, plants around the country hit a record average capacity factor of 91.95% in 2015. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2016

Southern California Edison signs 500 MW of utility-scale solar PPAs with First Solar

The California utility renews its push for renewables in response to state’s new mandate requireing 50% renewables by 2030. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016

REV in 2016: The year that could transform utility business models in New York

While utilities probably won’t shift to new revenue and business models under REV this year, just how they plan to meet the goals of the groundbreaking reform initiative could become much clearer in the coming months.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 20, 2016

In AEP-Sierra Club coal plant deal, cost of additional renewables remains unknown

American Electric Power (AEP) reached a settlement last month that calls for development of 900 MW of renewable energy, but so far no one knows what it will cost.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2016

Southwest Power Pool study shows it can reliably manage 60% wind penetration

The grid operator needs new wires and tools to add 4,700 MW of wind by 2017, a new report shows.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 20, 2016

Entergy sues New York over Gov. Cuomo's push to close Indian Point nuclear plant

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) wants to close the plant because of its proximity to New York City, and Entergy believes that is the reason the state denied a necessary water permit.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2016

ERCOT: Wind energy provided record 45% of electricity on Dec. 20

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas maintained reliability with over 10 GW of wind energy on that day.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2016