Sierra Club's Ameren shareholder resolution seeks 30% renewables by 2030

The environmental advocacy group had shares donated to it from a deceased member, and is using them to attempt to push the utility toward cleaner generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

Remote Alaskan town turns to cold-weather battery microgrid as diesel alternative

The system, designed specifically for cold temperatures, will be used to reduce dependence on dirty generation and combat high electrical and fuel transportation costs. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 17, 2015

Minnesota Power proposal raises residential rates 14.5% to finance lower prices for industry

A new monthly charge will appear on Minnesota Power's residential energy bills in order to lower rates for major industrial customers by about 5%.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2015

Why clean energy advocates are challenging SCE's historic storage buy

Southern California Edison's award for new capacity resources has drawn criticism from intervenors who think it relies too much on gas and not enough on alternative resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2015

PJM: Winter is coming, and the grid is ready

The U.S. Energy Information Administration is predicting electricity usage to be lower this winter, but the largest grid operator in the country says it will still be prepared for periods of prolonged cold and high demand. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2015

New York denies water use permit for Indian Point nuke in push to close plant

Those in favor of shuttering the facility say the denial of a water use permit could block the plant from operating, but Entergy says the certificate may not be necessary for relicenscing.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2015

Nevada on track to meet Clean Power Plan mandates, state officials say

Despite having a stringent emissions goal, Nevada officials say the state is well-positioned to meet new greenhouse gas limits.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2015

Dong Energy proposes world's largest offshore wind farm off Massachusetts coast

The project proposed by the Danish developer may have a capacity as large as 1,000 MW, which would make it the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

Ivanpah CSP project burns enough natural gas to qualify for CA cap-and-trade program

The giant CSP array still qualifies as renewable energy, but must cap and trade the natural gas emissions that come from an adjacent generator used to smooth the variable generation's grid integration.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

EIA: U.S. coal burn will remain steady in 2016 despite plant retirements

The United States is retiring a record number of coal-fired power plants, but those which remain will work overtime and keep coal consumption steady next year in light of forcasted higher gas prices. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

Former FERC Chair Wellinghoff: Utility gas investments risky as energy storage prices fall

The falling prices of wind, solar and energy storage pose a real threat to utility gas investments, according to former FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

AEP CEO: Clean Power Plan could be the 'catalyst' to transform utility industry

American Electric Power CEO Nick Akins said the government's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, when paired with large-scale solar, could tranform the nation's power grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

Stressed by falling gas and power prices, unregulated utilities get negative outlook from Moody's

The outlook for regulated utilities is stable, while unregulated power companies with coal and nuclear plants are facing significant challenges.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015

BLM, state set new standards for renewables development plan for California desert

Environmentalists applauded land protections on the plan, but the wind industry says it could put the state's 50% renewables mandate in jeopardy. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Beyond fixed charges: 'Disruptive Challenges' author charts new utility path

If Peter Kind's 2013 paper put the utility sector on notice, this one could give it whiplash.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Moody's cuts Mississippi Power credit rating to near-junk status

The move comes after new members were elected to the Mississippi PSC, sparking concerns they will be less friendly to the utility in rate recovery proceedings for the Kemper coal facility.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015

NARUC 2015: How the Clean Power Plan is transforming 'baseload' generation

EPA regulations and economic forces are changing the way utilities think about baseload power.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 11, 2015

Dealing with stagnant load growth, ISO-New England turns to gas, efficiency and DERs

The region expects to lean heavily on energy efficiency and distributed resources to meet demand across the next decade.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2015

Researchers identify new storage tech for concentrated solar power plants

Researchers in Oregon and Florida have identified a storage medium that could widen the reach of concentrated solar power projects.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 10, 2015

NARUC 2015: Utilities push regulators to shift focus to Clean Power Plan compliance

As legal challenges play out, state utility regulators are preparing to comply with the EPA's emissions rule.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 10, 2015

Many states opposed to the CPP are working on compliance plans

Even the states that are suing the EPA are developing compliance strategies for the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2015

AEP Ohio wholesale auction prices continue to decline, stressing utilities

Falling power prices in AEP Ohio's wholesale auction are creating problems for nuclear and coal generators.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 9, 2015

Sierra Club: Power sector's carbon emissions hit lowest level since 1995

Coal retirements have put the United States in a strong position ahead of Paris climate talks planned this month, according to a new Sierra Club report. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2015

Dynegy plans to retire Illinois coal plant, citing market design flaws

The generator blamed a "poorly designed wholesale capacity market" in portions of Illinois for the move.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2015

Michigan lawmakers add 30% renewables 'goal' to energy legislation

Democratic lawmakers in Michigan's House have won amendments to energy legislation that would set a renewables goal for large utilities and maintain the 10% cap on electric choice. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2015