How a green business group is transforming the way utilities sell renewables

The Corporate Renewables Partnership helps connect the nation's biggest companies with utilities and IPPs that can satisfy their huge demand for renewable resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 1, 2015

EIA: Coal burn down to level not seen since early 1980s

New data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows declining coal use and an expected downturn in gas production from some major shale regions.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 1, 2015

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

Ameren, Missouri DNR in tussle over SO2 emissions at Labadie coal plant

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources says Ameren's massive coal plant near Labadie is exceeding federal limits on sulfur dioxide emissions.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2015

Florida regulators decline to make utility fuel hedging a central theme in rate cases

According to the Florida Office of Public Counsel, the state's investor-owned utilities have lost more than $6 billion for customers since 2002 in hedges designed to keep electricity prices stable and low.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2015

Favorable weather helps SDG&E and CAISO both set renewables records

Bright sun and strong wind on August 19 meant SDG&E could generate more renewable power than ever before.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2015

FERC backs PJM on capacity auction transition rules

FERC Chairman Norman Bay dissented, saying the new rules would cost consumers more than $1 billion more and supply little benefit in return.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2015

Michigan Tea Party lawmaker looks to incentivize solar, restructure energy choice

Green advocates in Michigan may have found an unlikely ally in Tea Party Republican state Rep. Gary Glenn.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2015

NRG: Western NY coal plant conversion in jeopardy due to Entergy lawsuit

Two years ago the state hailed a plan to convert the NRG Dunkirk coal facility to gas, but a lawsuit from Entergy Corp. challenging subsidies means the coversion has now been delayed.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2015

FPL's natural gas investment isn't saving customers money, yet

State regulators allowed Florida Power & Light to invest directly in natural gas production, but so far that decision is costing ratepayers millions of dollars.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2015

How demand flexibility is about to transform electricity delivery

For utilties, when consumers use energy could become just as important to their bottom lines as if they generate it themselves.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2015

Hawaii Gov. Ige reveals opposition to utility LNG import plans

Two utilities are in talks to bring liquefied natural gas supplies to the island, but Hawaii Gov. David Ige now says those plans do not mesh with the state's 100% renewables goal.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2015

President Obama calls for clean energy revolution: 'There is something big happening in America'

President Obama shows renewed passion in his legacy fights against climate change and for renewable energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 25, 2015

Idaho regulators reduce PURPA contracts from 20 to 2 years

The decision, a victory for the state's major electric utilities, is designed to keep customers from paying high costs for renewable generation, critics say.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2015

How Warren Buffett's bet on an Energy Imbalance Market in the West is paying off

NV Energy is in, Arizona Public Service and Puget Sound Energy are coming next year, and others want to know more.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2015

PJM auction results: Capacity payments to plants rise 37% in bid to avoid outages

While the auction results were good news for most existing generation, three of Exelon's nuclear plants did not clear.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 24, 2015

Nuclear industry darkened by delays, cost overruns at Vogtle & Summer facilities

Boosts to the industry could come from Energy Department loan guarantees and Clean Power Plan compliance credit. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2015

Why can't utilities innovate like startups?

A new paper produced by a utility-private sector working group outlines how utilities can be set free to innovate.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2015

How wind's record low prices are driving a 'big build cycle'

“This year will be big. Next year will be similarly big. What happens after 2016 is anybody’s guess because of concerns about the federal production tax credit.”

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 20, 2015

How regional compliance can help states meet EPA emissions targets faster and cheaper

SPP study concurs with MISO and PJM studies: States can meet emissions targets faster and cheaper by sharing generation and transmission resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 19, 2015

In SolarCity's 'new paradigm' for distribution planning, DERs come first

Top solar installer calls for new distribution system planning with priority on distributed resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2015

Opponents file lawsuit to void contract for first U.S. offshore wind project

The high price of the nation’s first ocean wind installation is being challenged as building proceeds.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2015

TVA seeks to license the first U.S. nuclear reactor of this century

Watts Bar unit 2 will also be the first U.S. reactor with post-Fukushima FLEX protections.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2015

15 states launch legal battle against EPA's Clean Power Plan

The state filed a request for an emergency stay. 

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 17, 2015

Mississippi Power wins rate relief for troubled Kemper 'clean coal' plant

Without the rate increase, Mississippi Power would "stand on the brink of bankruptcy."

By Randy Lilleston • Aug. 17, 2015

California weighs 'off-the-shelf' gas plant in case of reliability issues

The plan comes as Southern California looks to replace lost capacity from the San Onofre closure and the expected retirement of once-through cooling units.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 17, 2015