EIA: Gas generation edges out coal for 2nd consecutive month, 3rd time this year

Gas generation in August exceeded coal for only the third time ever, EIA reported this week. But it's also the third time this year and the second consecutive month where gas has been king, marking a shift towards gas as the more popular fuel choice. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 29, 2015

Rocky Mountain Power unveils clean energy proposal, but skeptics remain

The Salt Lake City-based utility wants to offer a new, lower tariff for expanding businesses and split residential bills into use and access charges in a plan aimed at cutting emissions. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 29, 2015

West Virginia gov. says his state will file CPP compliance plan

West Virginia's attorney general is leading the lawsuit challenging the Clean Power Plan, but the state's governor says a compliance plan will be filed anyway in hopes of "lessening the pain."

By Robert Walton • Oct. 29, 2015

Southern Co., rural co-ops buck utility trend in challenging Clean Power Plan

While most utilities around the country are deciding to comply rather than fight the Obama administration's plan to reduce greenhouse gasses, coal-dependent Southern Co. and a coalition of electric co-ops have filed suit against the regulatory package. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2015

FERC: Renewables account for over 60% of new generation in 2015

The latest energy infrastructure report from FERC finds wind up to 5.9% of U.S. generation capacity, while solar passes the 1% mark, even with the rooftop sector not included.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 28, 2015

SCE fined $16.7M for illegal regulatory communications on San Onofre closure

Utility execs had prohibited communications with regulators on the $4.7B settlement, an administrative law judge decided.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 28, 2015

Duke CEO: Piedmont deal heralds new focus on natural gas industry

In the future, gas infrastructure investments will be a growing focus for Duke Energy, according to CEO Lynn Good.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2015

Study: 3 years after Sandy, East Coast and Gulf power grids still vulnerable to storms

A new report shows millions of consumers, hundreds of substations and dozens of power plants are susceptible to a strong hurricane battering the United States' Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2015

NEI chief: More nuclear retirements to come in unregulated markets

The head of the Nuclear Energy Institute predicted that nuclear plants would be forced to shutter due to market rules that he says do not properly value baseload capacity.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2015

Plans to expand Texas nuke plant by 2 units pass NRC safety tests

Nuclear regulators have completed a Final Safety Evaluation Report examining a Texas nuclear expansion, concluding the developer is technically and financially capable of moving ahead with the South Texas Project in Bay City.  

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2015

From theory to practice: The challenges in moving to 'Utility 2.0'

Executives from four major utilities spoke at ESNA 2015 about the trials and tribulations of putting more new technology on their grids. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2015

Colorado governor does not support his state's Clean Power Plan challenge

Colorado appears well-positioned to meet Clean Power Plan mandates, but now faces conflict between two top elected offices over supporting the regulation. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 27, 2015

Xcel CEO: Wind is a better long-term buy than natural gas

Wind's 20-year PPA price of $25/MWh compares favorably with the economics of gas generation, CEO Ben Fowke said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2015

Are utility investments in natural gas a good bet?

Storage, solar and nuclear have all been talked about as potentially leapfrogging natural gas, long known as the “bridge fuel.” So why are utilities doubling down?

By Robert Walton • Oct. 27, 2015

SCE reaches $400M settlement with nuclear insurer on San Onofre closure

The settlement stems from a radioactive leak on Mitsubishi equipment that led to the closure of the nuclear plant.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 26, 2015

Settlement proposed to keep RE Ginna nuke operating in New York

The deal could cost ratepayers more than $15 million a month to keep the plant operating another year and a half.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2015

AEP anticipates decision on Ohio plant subsidies by end of year

The decision will weigh heavily on whether the utility decides to sell its merchant generation fleet.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2015

Minnesota, North Dakota clash in court over coal power import ban

A panel of three judges will decide the dispute, centered around the interstate trade of coal power, but observers say there is little indication which way they will rule.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2015

No power buyers in sight, AES to shutter Pennsylvania coal plant 2 years early

The generator is scrapping plans to convert the Beaver Valley coal plant to natural gas after it was unable to find a buyer for the power.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2015

Utility-backed group launches campaign warning of coal retirements

More than two dozen units at 9 coal-fired stations are slated to close in less than six months, says a nonprofit utility-backed group supporting Michigan generation.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2015

Final Clean Power Plan rule published; 24 states sue EPA

The final Clean Power Plan rule was published today in the Federal Register, and already a coalition of fossil fuel interests and states has teamed up to file a challenge.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2015

Cheap gas stalls Indiana wind development

Indiana has brought only two windfarms online in the past four years, despite a recent study finding the sector is poised to triple its installed capacity.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2015

Las Vegas casinos, NV Energy locked in 'toxic' defection struggle

Several large power customers want to leave NV Energy in search of cheaper power, but the utility says that will leave remaining customers footing the bill for lost revenues.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2015

First set of EPA coal ash regulations now in effect

Now utilities are responsible for "fugitive" ash and must begin inspections of coal ash ponds as federal regulators work on a second set of rules. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2015

Supreme Court takes up new federal-state power authority case

The case, which centers on FERC's ability to regulate interstate power markets, echoes oral arguments on FERC 745, which the High Court heard last week.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2015