FirstEnergy's Ohio subsidy case delayed as regulators set more hearings

The utility had reached a 16-party settlement on a plan to guarantee income at a pair of Ohio power plants, but opponents say the deal raises issues that were not addressed in the original proceeding.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2015

The factors driving wind and solar toward grid parity

A new analysis from Deloitte shows when, where, and why renewables can be cost-competitive. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

PowerGen 2015: Why 'capacity will no longer be the coin of the realm' in the power sector

More renewables on the grid means new capabilities are being demanded of fossil plants, and some want renewable energy companies to pay up for the changes. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 10, 2015

Report: Michigan developing CPP compliance plan while AG pursues legal challenge

A working group with a broad list of stakeholders will be announced later this month; meanwhile, the state's attorney general is still suing to block the greenhouse gas plan.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 10, 2015

Nuclear industry targets 30% cost reduction by 2018 to remain competitive

Costs to generate nuclear power is up almost 30% in the last 12 years, a trend industry officials say they must change in order to remain competitive.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 10, 2015

PowerGen 2015: Dynegy and CAISO CEOs illustrate a generation industry in flux

The Dynegy CEO called for federal intervention if Ohio regulators approve income supports for aging coal and nuclear plants, while the CAISO CEO warned generators that his high-renewables "experiment" would soon be their reality.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 9, 2015

RGGI carbon auction sets new record clearing price

The auction sold more than 15 million carbon dioxide allowances, clearing at $7.50/st.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2015

NRG, National Grid, and others commit to science-based carbon targets at Paris climate talks

The Science Based Targets initiative works with companies to set science-based emissions targets and only approves corporate targets that meet its strict criteria, with 114 companies signing on thus far. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2015

Entergy unmoved by NY governor's plan to support nuclear generation

Entergy remains committed to shuttering the James A. FitzPatrick plant, while Exelon said it would support Cuomo's plan.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2015

Report: David Crane's exit at NRG signals shift back to traditional strategy

Former CEO David Crane tried to push NRG Energy towards new technologies in the power industry. Most on Wall Street expect Mauricio Gutierrez, the company's new chief, to revert to a more traditional strategy.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2015

Florida regulators to allow hedging of gas prices by utilities

Despite $6 billion in losses for the state's electric customers, regulators have decided to allow utilities to continue hedging fuel volumes to help keep prices stable.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2015

Regulators reject pre-approval for OG&E's $1.1B enviromental compliance plan

The decision put the utility on notice that its plan needed to include a more serious consideration of renewable energy and emissions rules.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2015

Report: EPA's MATS rule appears likely to survive legal battle

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard arguments last week over the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, with judges appearing reticent to vacate the EPA's rules. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2015

House passes major energy bill as Murkowski tees up Senate version for early 2016

New bipartisanship on energy policy in the senate might increase the chances of an ITC extension, the head of a critical committee said on Thursday.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 4, 2015

EIA: Small-scale installations make up a third of solar generation

The U.S. Energy Information Administration has begun including small-scale solar installations in monthly generation data.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 4, 2015

Despite adequate supply, winter will be a 'challenging time' for ISO New England

The region expects adequate power supplies this winter, but natural gas constraints are still a challenge and could keep some plants without fuel, according to the ISO New England.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 3, 2015

Report: Utility coal burn falling more rapidly than forecasted

A  handful of utilities are burning as much coal as expected with most  burning less and none exceeding anticipated estimates, according to a new report from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 3, 2015

ERCOT: New generation pushes reserve margins up 20% through 2025

Almost 10,000 MW of new generation added by 2018 will push the reserve margin in ERCOT above 20%.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 3, 2015

FirstEnergy strikes settlement in Ohio subsidy case, AEP nears deal

The company had requested 15-year income guarantees from four plants in Ohio, but has filed a settlement involving more than a dozen parties that shortens the contract time to eight years and includes rate stabilizers for customers and carbon reduction goals.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 2, 2015

How NRG is testing the next step of energy storage: Vehicle-to-grid integration

NRG EVgo and University of California, San Diego are testing out electric vehicle batteries on UCSD's microgrid as an energy storage option. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 1, 2015

New trouble for NextEra merger as regulators slam Hawaiian Electric power supply plan

Unless NextEra offers a better plan, and fast, observers say the takeover bid could be in jeopardy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 1, 2015

Despite $6B in losses, Florida PSC staff support utility gas hedging programs

Despite losses that alledgedly exceed $6 billion, staff of the Florida Public Service Commission believe utility hedging programs are doing a good job of reducing fuel price volatility.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 1, 2015

As feds consider 80-year-old nuke plants, California could shutter its last

Nuclear regulators will be asked to consider relicensing nuclear facilities out to 80 years – twice their initial operating periods – but in California the industry is shutting down and the state is considering how to deal with its last facility.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 1, 2015

NextEra sells 3000 MW of Texas gas generation to Energy Future affiliate

NextEra Energy has sold its La Frontera merchant gas fleet to an affiliate of Energy Future Holdings in a deal including almost 3,000 MW of combined-cycle generation.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 1, 2015

What utilities should watch at the Paris climate talks

The COP21 talks could set the trajectory for energy policy for decades to come.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 30, 2015