Supreme Court preps for hearings on Maryland power subsidies case

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments next week over how the state of Maryland negotiated subsidies for a natural gas power plant built to ensure there is adequate supply to meet demand.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 16, 2016

How utility executives see the future of the electricity business

Here are some of the key findings from Utility Dive's third annual State of the Electric Utility report.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 16, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

Oregon lawmakers propose carbon tax, coal phase-out

The bills would phase out coal, increase renewables and enact a carbon tax. But Oregon is currently in a short legislative session, and some say more time is needed to consider such significant changes.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2016

Alaska utilities to purchase stake in ConocoPhillips gas field

Municipal Light & Power and Chugach Electric Association will need authorization from Alaska regulators for the $152 million deal.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2016

EEI: Utilities moving from coal, toward gas & renewables regardless of CPP stay

Carbon emissions from the power sector are already down about 17% since 2000, according to Edison Electric Institute officials. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to delay implementing the Clean Power Plan will not reverse those efforts.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2016

Bad power deals cost Maine $38M, governor says

 "Socialists love to subsidize new wind and solar,"  said Maine Governor Paul LePage (R). 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2016

8 trends shaping the grid of the future

A Deloitte study finds "alternative energy’s shift to the mainstream is largely complete and likely irreversible."

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 11, 2016

Sunverge Energy to roll out solar management system

Sunverge Energy says its next generation solar integration system will be available this summer.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 11, 2016

States mull next steps after Clean Power Plan freeze

For the most part, even states opposed to the Clean Power Plan were working on compliance strategies. But with the Supreme Court delaying the law's implementation, tough decisions must now be made.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2016

Feds approve 2 new nuclear reactors in Texas

NRG Energy is the dominant partner in the expansion, but the generator said several years ago that it was not pursuing development of the project. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2016

Report: Dominion dumped 33.7 million gallons of untreated coal ash water in Quantico Creek

The utility is working on a plan to manage 200 million gallons of coal ash, but critics question whether drainage into Quantico Creek fell within water permits the utility obtained.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2016

Supreme Court puts Clean Power Plan on hold

In a surprise move, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to stay the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan until the D.C. Circuit Court reviews it and appeals to the high court are exhausted. 

By Davide Savenije , Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 9, 2016

How Austin Energy is looking to manage solar-plus-storage on its grid

Austin Energy has been awarded a $4.3 million grant to implement a DERMS system aimed at integrating solar power into its grid.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 9, 2016

Report: Eastern Interconnect working group's research showed deeper decarbonization possible before CPP

In 2010, 39 states and 26 major utilities said they could cut carbon emissions 42% by 2030, according to a new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2016

NY governor orders investigation of Entergy's Indian Point nuclear plant

The nuclear plant is leaking contaminated water, with monitoring wells showing "alarming levels" of radiation.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2016

Why natural gas investments could spell trouble for electric utilities

Natural gas is cheap right now, and utilities are rushing in. But if prices rise, consumers could wind up footing the bill — and if utilities overbuild, carbon compliance may be at risk. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2016

Sacramento muni cancels 400MW pumped storage project

Costs and environmental delays helped to scuttle SMUD's plans for a 400-MW pumped storage project in northern California.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 8, 2016

NextEra gives cost estimates for HEI's new energy plan

NextEra was the primary data provider for eight of the 14 project proposals Hawaiian Electric's revised "2016 Power Supply Improvement Plan," which was previously rejected by Hawaiian utility regulators in November 2015. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2016

CA lawmakers: PacifiCorp-CAISO regional market could hurt clean energy targets

Integrating PacifiCorp into the California Independent System Operator's grid could save billions of dollars, but lawmakers are wary of any plan that would "cede authority of our state’s cutting edge clean energy and climate policies."

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2016

Coal companies, enviros back tax incentive extension for carbon capture projects

Coal companies and environmental advocates both agree that permanently extending a carbon capture and sequestration tax incentive is the right thing to do.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2016

FERC approves plans for NextEra natural gas pipeline in Florida

The vast majority of new generation in Florida is gas-fired, but the two major pipelines supplying the state are nearing full capacity.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 5, 2016

ISO-NE Chief: New England 2 years away from potential supply shortage

New England's heavy gas reliance already puts the region in a precarious spot, but ISO-New England President and CEO Gordon van Welie said the 2017-2018 winter is what most worries him right now.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2016

EIA: Renewables to be 14% of U.S. electricity generation in 2016

Wind should supply 5.2% of U.S. power next year and solar is projected to top 1%. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2016

FERC Order 745 ruling a 'good omen' for Clean Power Plan, say legal experts

How much the justices decide to defer to agency interpretation of the law could be a key factor in a future CPP case.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2016

PJM pushes for consumer protections in AEP plant subsidy case

PJM Interconnection wants assurances that the utility will not intentionally underbid its generation aimed to supress prices if Ohio regulators approve American Electric Power's proposed power purchase agreements to guarantee income for its aging generation. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2016