Tesla competitor Sonnenbatterie unveils community solar-storage system

The German company says its new solar-storage-control system will make conventional utilities obsolete.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 30, 2015

MISO, SPP, ERCOT all hit new wind energy records in November

MISO, SPP and ERCOT took to Twitter to announce their new wind power records, breaking ones they set just last month.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 25, 2015

Google is first buyer of Duke Energy solar using utility's new Green Source Rider

In Duke’s first “sleeve project,” it will wheel solar to a key account at no cost to other customers

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 25, 2015

For California, gas 'is the new coal' as the East Coast embraces the resource

Gas-fired generation is expected to make up an increasing percentage of the country's power supply – but not in California, where officials are trying to leapfrog all carbon sources on the way to a greener future. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 25, 2015

CA regulators cut anti-terror funding for utilities in dispute with legislature over legal fees

"Democracy is pretty messy," is how the executive director of the California Public Utilities Commission explains it.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 25, 2015

12 charts that show the state of the US clean energy revolution

A new DOE report highlights deployment and price trends for five key technologies in the clean energy revolution.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 24, 2015

Michigan energy proposals will 'kill choice,' limit renewable investments, opponents say

Michigan is considering two pieces of energy billed as "compromises," but advocates for retail choice and renewables say they will do little to advance their causes.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 24, 2015

Portland General Electric joins CAISO energy imbalance market

The regional balancing authority headed by California’s grid operator will now span eight states.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 24, 2015

Despite green outcry, CPUC approves SoCal Edison gas & storage plans

The California Public Utilities Commission approves 57 of 63 of controversial SoCal Ed procurement contracts, but sees room for improvment in the "all-source RFO process."

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 24, 2015

Kinder Morgan files $5B Northeast pipeline plan despite critical Mass. AG study

The Northeast Energy Direct project is a "transformative" plan to exand the Tennessee Gas Pipeline system in  Pennsylvania, New York and New England.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 24, 2015

Siemens, RWE team up to develop mass-market virtual power plant

The two companies will expand on a 2010 virtual power plant pilot, which included combined heat and power systems, hydro units and backup power, to include a wider range of resources. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 24, 2015

EPA set to finalize carbon trading models for Clean Power Plan in August 2016

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the release of the the final model for how carbon trading could help states comply with the Clean Power Plan.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 24, 2015

New York Gov. Cuomo orders 50% renewables in bid to save 2 nuke plants

New York has a goal of reaching 50% renewables, but sources told the New York Times that Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) will direct state regulators to make that goal a mandate in an effort to stave off the closure of two nuclear plants.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 24, 2015

Utilities, regulators near settlements in Ohio power plant subsidy debate

American Electric Power and FirstEnergy are reportedly near settlements on proposed income guarantees for struggling power plants, but any such arrangements will likely be challenged in court by environmentalists and other power companies.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2015

Illinois to probe whether Wisconsin Energy, Integrys hid pipeline costs in merger proceeding

The Illinois Commerce Commission launched an investigation to see if executives knew costs associated with a Peoples Gas pipeline replacement project had almost doubled.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2015

Senators resurrect 1970s financing tactic to boost carbon capture for coal plants

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers wants to allow businesses to use tax-exempt private activity bonds to finance the installation of carbon capture equipment.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2015

Duke Energy restyles retired Ohio coal plant into battery storage facility

Duke Energy has added 2 MW more to its energy storage system at its retired Beckjord coal plant in Ohio.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 20, 2015

Mass. AG: New England should opt for efficiency, DR over new gas pipelines

There is no need for additional gas capacity in New England through 2030, according to a new report released by the Massachusetts Attorney General, which finds efficiency and conservation can help meet power demands.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2015

NY Gov. Cuomo pushes closure of Entergy Indian Point nuke in NRC filings

National security risks, deterioration of the facility and the plant's close proximity to New York City were all put forward as reasons to close Indian Point, even as Cuomo fights to keep another Entergy nuclear facility from closing. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2015

Wisconsin utility rolls out plan for 30% renewables by 2030

The Wisconsin-based Madison Gas and Electric Co. plans to supply 30% of its retail power sales with renewable energy by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2015

EPA floats tougher cross-state pollution rules as Senate slams Clean Power Plan

The EPA wants more stringent standards on ozone and smog-causing pollution that floats across state lines, but conservatives in Congress aren't happy about the agency's active role in the Obama administration.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 2015

SoCal Edison blames poor management for Long Beach outages

Inadequate oversight and knowledge of the network were found to be causes of outages that left nearly 30,000 Southern California Edison customers in the dark this summer. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 19, 2015

The future of rate design: Why the utility industry may shift away from fixed charges

A focus on fixed charges is giving way to more comprehensive rate structures for utilities, but big questions loom on the horizon for regulators. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 2015

Wisconsin lawmakers want to lift moratorium on new nuclear plants

Lawmakers are worried about having reliable energy sources as fossil-fired power prices rise and the state begins to comply with the Clean Power Plan. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 19, 2015

Exelon-Pepco merger backers, critics face off at DC PSC meeting

Merger opponents, claiming a connection between Pepco's financial contributions for a new soccer stadium and the Mayor's support for the Exelon takeover, protested outside a meeting of city regulators yesterday.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 18, 2015