Generation: Page 2

NRG: Interconnection costs may sink Dunkirk repowering project

NRG Energy wants to repower the Dunkirk coal-fired power plant in New York to burn natural gas, but unexpected costs have put the project at risk.

By Robert Walton • June 08, 2018

Navajo coal plant nears 2019 closure with Arizona water agency decision

The agency found cheaper sources of energy and did not renew its power purchase agreement, raising the bar for a potential buyer to rescue the Navajo Generation Station.

By Peter Maloney • June 08, 2018

Gas pipeline group slams DOE memo to save coal, nuclear plants

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America called DOE's depiction of energy security threats "fundamentally flawed, particularly as it relates to natural gas pipelines." 

By Gavin Bade • June 08, 2018

New England fully integrates demand response into wholesale markets

The grid operator for the region says it is the first to incorporate active demand resources into the energy dispatch and reserve-designation process.

By Robert Walton • June 07, 2018

NRC Chair: Nuclear safety regulatory process not to blame for plant retirements

The process has constantly adapted for efficiencies, although it has not significantly impacted the economic basis of early plant retirement, said Kristine Svinicki at a joint FERC-NRC hearing.  

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 07, 2018

Xcel details plans to shut 660 MW coal, build 1.8 GW renewables in Colorado

The plan would raise the renewable share of the company's Colorado generating portfolio to 55% and reduce the coal share from 44% to 24%, all by 2026.

By Robert Walton • June 07, 2018

Palo Verde nuke can remain open with 50% Arizona RPS, NRDC report finds

Arizona voters in November could consider a proposal to raise the state's renewable portfolio standard to 50%. Arizona Public Service says that would force the closure of the nation's largest nuclear power plant.

By Robert Walton • June 06, 2018

Exelon CEO endorses nuke bailout, punts on leaked DOE memo

Chris Crane said there is "not enough information to pass judgment" on the DOE plan — a day after he told Utility Dive that grid conditions do not justify it. 

By Gavin Bade • June 06, 2018

California shift from annual to hourly GHG emissions tracking to focus reductions

Environmental groups cheered the updated methodology, but one NGO fears demand response programs will not be properly credited.

By Robert Walton • June 06, 2018

Exelon CEO: No grid emergency to justify DOE coal, nuke bailout

The head of the nation's largest nuclear generator says he would rather work with FERC and the nation's grid operators to devise long-term solutions to grid resilience.

By Gavin Bade • June 05, 2018

McIntyre says FERC could be kept out of DOE effort to save at-risk generators

FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre said he trusts Energy Secretary Rick Perry to decide whether or not to invoke emergency powers to save coal and nuclear plants from retirement.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 05, 2018

FERC splits again on affiliates, climate in Florida pipeline approval

Both the owner and offtaker of the Florida Lateral Project are owned by NextEra Energy, raising questions from one regulator about whether the pipeline is needed. 

By Gavin Bade • June 05, 2018

Zinke presses to keep Navajo Generating Station online

The largest coal plant in the Western U.S. is slated to close at the end of 2019. But stakeholders are fighting to keep it online, and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is looking to a 1968 law for help.

By Robert Walton • June 05, 2018

Opinion

Will FERC uphold state support for clean energy?

Some are celebrating FERC's apparent defense of state environmental policies, but that reaction is premature, write Danny Cullenward and Shelley Welton.

By Danny Cullenward and Shelley Welton

Trump orders Perry to stop coal, nuclear retirements

The president’s directive to the Department of Energy comes the same day as the release of a memo advocating DOE use its emergency powers and a Cold War-era law to bail out at-risk plants.

By Gavin Bade • June 01, 2018

Trump administration preparing 2-year coal, nuke bailout

The federal government would purchase power from at-risk plants using its emergency authority and a Cold War-era nationalization law, according to a memo released Friday.

By Gavin Bade • June 01, 2018

DOE cybersecurity report reveals 7 'gaps' in power sector defense capabilities

The assessment warns restoration following a cyberattack "could be more challenging than previously experienced," in part due to the unprecedented nature of such an incident.

By Robert Walton • June 01, 2018

NET Power demo plant takes key step toward emissions-free gas generation

The company says it is the only industrial-scale supercritical carbon dioxide-based power plant and CO2 cycle test facility. It's aiming to deploy a 300 MWe commercial-scale version by 2021.

By Robert Walton • June 01, 2018

US doubles solar manufacturing, but not jobs (yet)

Job creation is not guaranteed in the sector despite an increase in domestic solar panel manufacturing, according to analysts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 31, 2018

New wind project would move MidAmerican within reach of 100% renewables goal

The utility wants to generate enough electricity from wind to equal its customer demand for a year, though other assets will likely remain on the system. 

By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2018

Opinion

Why natural gas' reign may come to a quick end

Turbulent markets and disruptive technology will require every fuel source — even those that are currently winning on low costs — to become even more efficient, writes Uptake's Michael Donohue.

By Michael Donohue

NERC: Texas, California will face tight markets this summer

Texas is facing a generation shortfall, due in part to plant retirements, and California is facing a limit on natural gas output due to Aliso Canyon storage facility constraints.

By Robert Walton • May 31, 2018