States leaning toward mass-based CPP compliance, regional cooperation

A mass-based approach could ease the implementation of carbon markets, but EEI warns that trading schemes should be as broad as possible to keep compliance costs low.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2015

What's the value of energy storage? It's complicated

Experts at ESNA's conference last week discuss the complications of valuing storage.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 20, 2015

Fitch: Coal-bound states, co-ops & public utilities most challenged by CPP compliance

The ratings agency warned that compliance costs could rise significantly if federal assumptions on energy efficiency and renewable power are overstated.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2015

Fresh merger worries for Exelon as DC group files to acquire Pepco assets

Retail supplier WGL Energy Services also raised concerns about the possibility of utility-owned generation in DC, which has had a wires-only power company since the 1990s.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 20, 2015

Critics challenge Duke Energy's plan for more generation

Duke Energy says it needs larger winter reserves and has proposed another 480 MW of gas-fired generation by 2029, but critics said the extra generation is unnecessary, pointing to lethargic demand growth. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2015

How digital power plant tech can help utilities get the most from their assets

GE says its new plant technology can yield up to $230M in annual benefits for a gas plant and $100M for a wind farm.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 19, 2015

Report: 11% of nukes could retire early, putting Clean Power Plan goals at risk

Data from SNL shows up to 11% of U.S. nuclear generation could be at risk of early retirement, but new carbon regulations could revive the industry.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2015

FERC: Grid operators, fuel supplies prepared for a mild winter

With natural gas prices low and moderate temperatures expected this winter, FERC's 2015-2016 Winter Energy Market Assessment predicts grid operators will have little trouble meeting demand, but the Northeast will still see higher fuel prices. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2015

ERCOT: Texas CPP compliance easier under finalized rule

The Clean Power Plan's impact on retail electricity prices in Texas will be less than originally thought, but could still raise bills more than 15% by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 18, 2015

Feds close to issuing 1st nuclear license in 20 years

Tennessee Valley Authority's 1,150-MW Watts Bar-2 is "substantially complete" and a license could be issued by the end of this month, the first one since 1996. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2015

600 MW of Midwest power plants to retire amid environmental and economic concerns

For varying reasons, a combined 600 MW of  coal, biofuels and gas plants in the Midwest shut down by the end of this year.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2015

Despite Supreme Court's MATS ruling, coal plants still on track to retire

With a few exceptions, coal facilities that had been planning to shut down due to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards are still heading in that direction.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2015

AEP, international coalition urge energy research ahead of Paris climate summit

Ahead of International climate talks in Paris, American Electric Power has joined with 10 other utilities from around the globe to advocate for consistent long-term carbon policies.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2015

Appalachian Power asks regulators to shutter 2 coal plants

Converting the two plants to use natural gas would not be economical, the utility told regulators. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 14, 2015

Entergy to shut down Pilgrim nuclear plant by 2019

Low energy prices and rising operating costs led to the decision to retire Massachusetts' last remaining nuclear plant. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 14, 2015

Michigan plans to shutter 25 coal units by 2020

The coal retirements will help comply with the Clean Power Plan even though they were planned before rule was finalized.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 13, 2015

Report: Utilities don't plan to join fight against EPA's Clean Power Plan

The Obama administraton's Clean Power Plan is pushing the country to embrace a cleaner energy future, but many utilities say market forces were already leading them in that direction.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 13, 2015

Facing coal retirements, Western utilities turn to cheap natural gas

While still integrating cleaner renewable energy, utilities are increasingly turning to natural gas as a cheap alternative to coal or out-of-state power.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 13, 2015

Staff recommends PUCO reject AEP's coal plant subsidy proposal

Staff of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has recommended that regulators reject a plan to guarantee profits from five coal-fired power plants run by American Electric Power, but left the door open for a revamped proposal. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 13, 2015

NY Gov. Cuomo proposes linking RGGI, California carbon markets

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants the link the northeast's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative with carbon markets in Canada and California.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2015

Green groups push for alternatives to Florida utility's proposed $1.2B gas plant

Florida Power & Light's proposed $1.2 billion, 1.6 GW plant faces questions from two environmental groups that would rather see the utility look to renewables.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2015

EEI took middle road, pushed for 70 ppb ozone standard, report says

The utility group, seeing the writing on the wall, advocated new ozone standards be set at 70 parts-per-billion, even though some of its allies in the generation and industrial sectors wanted the standard to stay where it was.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 9, 2015

FERC investigating MISO auction over market manipulation allegations

Federal regulators lauched a private investigation over alleged market manipulation by Dynegy in MISO's April capacity auction, spurred by complaints filed from Illinois AG's office and a handful of consumer and industry stakeholders. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 9, 2015

Talen Energy announces sale of three power plants for $1.5B

The deal is the latest  in an ongoing trend of Canadian companies buying up U.S. power assets, with over $11 billion spent on such acquisitions this year. 

By Davide Savenije • Oct. 9, 2015

EIA: Gas generation surpasses coal in U.S. for 2nd time ever

Natural gas was king in July for the second time this year, edging out coal generation by 0.1%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 9, 2015