Arizona regulators to decide if SunZia power line must guarantee space for renewables

Opponents fear that without restrictions, a line planned to transmit renewable energy will end up carrying gas-generated power.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 3, 2016

Settlement not the end of debate over Duke's Edwardsport coal gasification plant

Environmental groups signed on to a settlement last month limiting operating costs at Duke Energy's Edwardsport coal gasification power plant, but they say nothing precludes them from keeping a close eye on the plant's operations in the future.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 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

Dynegy, NRG Energy ask FERC to step in Ohio plant subsidy cases

Dynegy and NRG Energy have asked federal regulators to rescind a waiver for affiliate power transactions FERC granted to First Energy and American Electric Power.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2016

Should utilities be afraid of Sonnen's new community storage offering?

Community energy storage in the U.S. could ramp up with German storage developer Sonnen's entry into the market.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 2, 2016

Low natural gas prices squeeze New England oil generation

A winter storm spiked demand earlier this month, but year-over-year, the New England ISO reports its oil-fired power generation has taken a tumble.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2016

Oregon utilities back bill for 50% renewables, coal phase-out

Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp are jointly lobbying for a proposal they say will save consumers money while extending the life of some coal generation.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2016

Georgia Power adds 525 MW of renewables in latest IRP

The utility has asked regulators to sign off on more than 500 MW of clean power in their 2016 integrated resource plan (IRP), and said efficiency will help reduce peak demand by almost 2,000 MW.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2016

After SCOTUS decision, exiting FERC member Clark pushes for review of DR compensation

"As it so often is, it is about the money," FERC Commissioner Tony Clark wrote in a response to the Supreme Court's decision on Order 745 and the commission's jurisdiction over demand response.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2016

Wind industry added 5 GW capacity in Q4 2015 with 75% of contracts to non-utility customers

The wind energy industry now has nearly 74.5 GW of cumulative installed capacity in the United States. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 29, 2016

NC regulator pushes for solar limits, new nuclear incentives

The renewable energy industry is booming, but Secretary of Environmental Quality Donald van der Vaart wants North Carolina to consider limits on solar farms and incentives for new nuclear generation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

EIA: Natural gas topped coal for fifth consecutive month in November

Before 2015, gas-fired generation had never exceeded coal. But last year, gas came out on top in at least six months and December data are still pending.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

Entergy says proposed New York nuclear plan too late to save FitzPatrick plant

New York is racing to find ways for nuclear generators to continue operating, but Entergy told Bloomberg Business that “whatever this proposal may turn out to be, it would not be in place in time."

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

ConEd creates new subsidiary for electric and gas transmission

Just last week the company's new subsidiary, Consolidated Edison Transmission, LLC, announcd it had acquired 12.5% of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2016

ISO-NE chief: Winter leaves gas-reliant New England in 'precarious' spot

Last year, the New England ISO got almost half its power from gas-fired generation — up from 15% in 2000, and more than any other fuel source in the region.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2016

Rebuffed by DC Circuit, CPP opponents appeal to Supreme Court for stay on carbon rules

The expedited hearing schedule set last week by the D.C. Circuit Court won't be fast enough to prevent "irreparable harms" to states, the critics argue.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2016

New Jersey Gov. Christie vetoes offshore wind bill

The bill, sent back to the legislature without Christie's signature, would have pushed regultors to reconsider smaller offshore wind energy applications. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

In PURPA ruling, FERC says Entergy not obligated to buy from large QFs

Federal regulators ruled Entergy does not need to purchase power from most qualifying facilities over 20 MW, saying MISO already affords them the "nondiscriminatory access" to power markets envisioned by the law. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

New York regulators propose nuclear power mandate in new clean energy plan

Utilities will need to procure almost 16% of their power from nuclear sources in New York by 2020 under a proposal to save the state's carbon-free generators.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2016

Kentucky pursues Clean Power Plan extension, but plans to keep fighting regulation

The announcement is significant because the state had previously it would not play ball with the new carbon regulations, but requesting an extension means states must demonstrate progress on a plan.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2016

National Grid pursues approval for long-term natural gas capacity contracts

The utility has asked Massachusetts regulators for authorization to sign long-term fuels supply contracts, which it says could save customers billions of dollars.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2016

FERC's Tony Clark won't seek reappointment, warns of CPP challenges

EnergyWire reports that Tony Clark, the lone Republican FERC commissioner, will not seek reappointment when his term expires at the end of June.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2016

Two competing carbon control bills on tap for Oregon legislature

One bill aims to set emissions caps and encourage trading, while the other would phase out coal-fired generation and set ambitious reneawble energy goals. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2016

As hearings conclude, FirstEnergy subsidy proposal remains in doubt

FirstEnergy reached a 16-party settlement last year in the plant subsidy case, but a pair of offers from rival generators say the plan would upend regional electric markets and have offered alternative power supply proposals. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2016

Report: 2016 capacity additions will net 45 GW to US grid

The United States electricity grid will add 55 GW of net capacity this year, predominantly composed of wind, gas and solar power.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2016

Can utilities learn to love distributed solar like central station arrays?

Utility-scale solar has become mainstream among U.S. power providers, but persisting questions around cost and valuation are masking further opportunties in the distributed generation space, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016