Dominion gears up to close 11 coal ash ponds in Virginia

Draining the ponds will likely begin next month, but protestors are still pushing for changes to permits issued to Dominion Virginia Power by state regulators.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2016

EIA: Gas will top coal for power generation this year

For the first time, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts gas burn will exceed coal in the power sector. And generation is expected to rise 1.6% next year.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

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

EIA: Coal dominated capacity retirements in 2015

Almost 18 GW of generation was pulled offline last year, and of that, 80% was coal-fired, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2016

Bill backing nuclear research unanimously passes House, heads to Senate

The Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act would promote development of small, modular reactors, and other new technologies. Advocates call the measure "an important step forward in maintaining America’s leadership in the worldwide nuclear energy sector."

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2016

Minnesota Power IRP 'out of touch' with renewables demand, greens say

The utility's latest IRP outlines its future power mix, which includes one-third coal, but environmental advocates said Minnesota Power isn't doing enough to invest in renewable energy. 

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2016

SPP notches back-to-back wind generation records

The grid operator achieved 44.8% of its electricity from wind March 6 and 45.1% on March 7, bringing its total record counts to six so far this year. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2016

HECO, E-Gear try storage to resolve solar installation bottleneck in Hawaii

Hawaiian Electric and E-Gear to deploy storage pilot program to address solar installation bottleneck on Molokai.

By Peter Maloney • March 9, 2016

Charts: How will the Clean Power Plan stay affect the utility power mix transition?

Utilities will keep adding renewables and natural gas, but what happens to the Clean Power Plan could have a big effect on just how much of both are brought online in the coming years.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 8, 2016

Wind and solar provided all new U.S. electric capacity in January

Renewables also beat earlier EIA estimates for generation share in 2015. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 8, 2016

Washington Colstrip coal plant bill awaits governor's signature

The measure, creating a fund for the possible decommissioning of two coal-fired units in Montana, still needs the signature of Gov. Jay Inslee (D). 

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2016

Oregon passes utility-scale solar incentives to support 50% RPS

The proposal, overshadowed last week by the larger bill its aims to support, would provide $0.005/kWh for 2 MW to 10 MW installations.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 7, 2016

Clean coalition: How utilities and greens teamed up to pass Oregon's 50% RPS

A unique combination of threat and opportunity brought Oregon’s investor-owned utilities to the negotiating table, but not everyone is pleased with the results.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 7, 2016

BLM issues new guidelines to streamline Western solar development

Identifying Solar Energy Zones aims to shorten development timelines and protect sensitive environments from effects of solar plant construction. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2016

South Carolina governor signs off stricter coal ash disposal law

MRR Pickens LLC, based in North Carolina, has a contract to dispose of coal ash in Pickens County, S.C., but the deal may now be in danger.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2016

Virginia lawmakers push back slate of clean energy bills into 2017

Virginia lawmakers have largely stopped consideration of more than a dozen renewable and storage measures, but are still making progress on a bill to support Dominion's construction of utility-scale solar projects.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2016

NRC engineers urge shutdown of nuclear plants if design flaw not fixed

"Open phase events" could impact almost any United States nuclear plant, potentially damaging cooling systems, a group of engineers at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have told the agency.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2016

Oregon bill to curb coal, set 50% RPS heads to governor after Senate passage

Gov. Kate Brown is expected to sign the bill to set a 50% renewable energy standard and eliminate coal from the state's power mix. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 3, 2016

EIA: Solar to lead utility-scale capacity additions in 2016, followed by gas, wind

The forecasted 9.5 GW of solar capacity additions would be slightly higher than the 9.4 GW added in the three previous years combined.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 3, 2016

PJM wants FERC review of proposed Ohio power plant subsidies

The state is considering controversial proposals from American Electric Power and FirstEnergy to guarantee profits from some struggling plants, but PJM is joining calls for more oversight of the contracts, which they say will lead to disruption in regional markets

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2016

North Carolina approves 2 of Duke's 3 proposed gas units, opponents vow appeal

Critics, wary of increasing reliance on natural gas, are already indicating they will appeal the state's decision, saying Duke "never had to substantiate its claim that customer demand will soar."

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2016

Mass. Sen. Markey to push extension of 30% ITC for offshore wind to 2025

Long lead times for offshore wind facilities means many developers can't take advantage before current incentives phase out in the early 2020s. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2016

The sector favorite: Storage tops utility tech picks for second year running

Utility Dive's third annual survey of electric utility professionals shows even greater interest in energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • March 1, 2016

'Only a matter of time': U.S. offshore wind struggles to get off the ground

The U.S. offshore wind industry still lags far behind Europe and China but it has its first steel in the water and sees growth in its future.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2016

Wind on track to top hydro as the leading U.S. renewable after 2017

Fueled by the PTC extension, wind growth barrels ahead as hydro expansion remains more modest.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2016

Minnesota Power line approved to link Canadian hydro and storage to Midwest wind

The Great Northern transmission line line will help the Minnesota utility access hydropower and pumped storage facilities in Manitoba. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2016