FERC: Low gas prices continue to push down power prices

But the country has restarted exports of liquefied natural gas, potentially giving a boost to demand and prices.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2016

Nuclear industry demands more 'efficient' decommissioning rules

Plants are spending more than $1 million per month on rules that should no longer apply, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2016

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Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Report: MISO boosts coal retirement projections in recent CPP analysis

The grid operator for much of the United States Midwest also believes the renewable siting process needs updating, according to the report issued last week.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2016

Alevo inks deal for 8-MW storage project in Delaware

Alevo signs deal for 8-MW storage project in Delaware that will sell into PJM.

By Peter Maloney • March 18, 2016

Alaska bill looks to redirect power cost funds for energy efficiency, general fund

As a fund to subsidize higher power costs in rural Alaska reaches nearly $1 billion, lawmakers are considering ways to divert some earnings back into the state's general fund and renewable energy projects.

By Robert Walton • March 18, 2016

Arizona utility to build 63 MW microgrid for on-demand data center

Designed to serve Aligned Data Center's new facility in Phoenix, Arizona Public Service's microgrid will utilize diesel generators and a heat-removal technology which reduces water use by 85%.

By Robert Walton • March 18, 2016

EIA: Gas poised to knock out coal from top spot in 2016

This year for the first time, the U.S. Energy Information Administration believes gas-fired power will exceed coal's share of the generation mix.

By Robert Walton • March 18, 2016

DTE Energy announces $1.4B pipeline upgrade plan in Michigan

The utility said it will modernize its cast iron and steel main pipelines as well as make upgrades at compressor stations and install advanced metering.

By Robert Walton • March 17, 2016

Report: US generators face $2B in lost revenues from rooftop solar

As more homes install rooftop solar, a report from ICF International finds that grid operators plan to cut the amount of conventional generation they purchase starting in 2019. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2016

Australian company unveils major 250 MW geothermal project in California's Salton Sea

Australian company, Controlled Thermal Resources, hopes to obtain regulatory approval through economies of scale and providing a baseload resource to offset intermittant wind and solar resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2016

EIA: Electricity sales fell 1.1% in 2015

It marks the fifth time in the past eight years that power sales have fallen, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said.

By Robert Walton • March 16, 2016

Duke-Piedmont $4.9B deal inches closer to completion with Tennessee regulators' nod

The Tennessee Regulatory Authority approved a change of control necessary for Duke Energy to take over operations in that state if and when North Carolina regulators approve the deal.

By Robert Walton • March 16, 2016

Study: US offshore wind farms costs could drop 55% in 13 years

If wind developers commit to building 2,000 MW of new capacity, economies of scale will drive prices down 55% over 13 years, according to a new study. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 16, 2016

ERCOT: Wind, solar nearly two-thirds new capacity in 2016

The ERCOT system capacity is expected to grow almost 12,500 MW while coal declines and nuclear stagnates. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 16, 2016

Virginia town pushes EPA to probe Dominion coal-ash draining

The Dumfries, Va, town council voted to press federal regulators to investigate whether Dominion Virginia Power violated its permit when more than 30 million gallons of water from the Possum Point coal ash ponds was released into a tributary connected with the Potomac River.

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2016

West Virginia lawmakers greenlight coal-fired power plant upgrade bill

The West Virginia Senate last week passed unanimously a measure allowing utilities to recover the cost of coal upgrades through a bill surcharge and sent it to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D)'s desk. 

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2016

ComEd forges ahead with ambitious microgrid plans amid legislative debate

A $4 million DOE grant could help ComEd build up to six microgrids in Chicago, depending on the outcome of pending legislation.

By Peter Maloney • March 15, 2016

ERCOT: Wind energy climbs, but February demand drops

Record-breaking wind installation helped the resource to overtake nuclear as ERCOT's third largest power source. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 15, 2016

New York PSC request for $98.6M bond for energy service companies 'wild speculation,' critics say

Energy Service Companies, known as ESCOs, have come under scrutiny in New York for allegedly overcharging customers. The state wants the companies to post a bond, almost $100 million, to cover potential repayments.

By Robert Walton • March 14, 2016

General Electric seeks to capture CO2 for energy storage

GE Research is working on a way to use supercritical CO2 to enhance the storage capabilities of thermal solar power.

By Peter Maloney • March 12, 2016

Arkansas joins growing list of states halting work on Clean Power Plan compliance

A joint letter from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and Arkansas Public Service Commission indidcated a planning meeting scheduled this month has been canceled.

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2016

West Virginia lawmakers poised to pass bill to ease coal plant retrofits

The West Virginia Senate’s Committee on Energy, Industry and Mining voted to allow utilities to upgrade boilers at coal plants outside fo the full base rate review process.

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2016

Indiana Michigan Power's plan to burn coal could cost billions, greens say

 Indiana Michigan Power has no plans to shut down the coal-fired Rockport Generating Station, leading environmentalists to question whether the plant is still necessary in the face of possible billions in costs to upgrade. 

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2016

Maryland will keep opposing Dominion's coal ash disposal plan, officials say

The company reached a deal with Prince William County in Maryland, as well as the James River Association environmental group, allowing it to move forward with coal ash removal at 11 ponds.

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2016

US, Canada pledge cooperation on Paris climate accord, clean energy, methane leaks

After the first joint meeting between President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the two nations committed to cutting methane emissions 40%-45% by 2025 from the oil and gas sector, as well as working together on the Paris climate accord.

By Gavin Bade • March 10, 2016