EIA: U.S. coal burn will remain steady in 2016 despite plant retirements

The United States is retiring a record number of coal-fired power plants, but those which remain will work overtime and keep coal consumption steady next year in light of forcasted higher gas prices. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

Former FERC Chair Wellinghoff: Utility gas investments risky as energy storage prices fall

The falling prices of wind, solar and energy storage pose a real threat to utility gas investments, according to former FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 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

AEP CEO: Clean Power Plan could be the 'catalyst' to transform utility industry

American Electric Power CEO Nick Akins said the government's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, when paired with large-scale solar, could tranform the nation's power grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

Stressed by falling gas and power prices, unregulated utilities get negative outlook from Moody's

The outlook for regulated utilities is stable, while unregulated power companies with coal and nuclear plants are facing significant challenges.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015

BLM, state set new standards for renewables development plan for California desert

Environmentalists applauded land protections on the plan, but the wind industry says it could put the state's 50% renewables mandate in jeopardy. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Beyond fixed charges: 'Disruptive Challenges' author charts new utility path

If Peter Kind's 2013 paper put the utility sector on notice, this one could give it whiplash.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Moody's cuts Mississippi Power credit rating to near-junk status

The move comes after new members were elected to the Mississippi PSC, sparking concerns they will be less friendly to the utility in rate recovery proceedings for the Kemper coal facility.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015

NARUC 2015: How the Clean Power Plan is transforming 'baseload' generation

EPA regulations and economic forces are changing the way utilities think about baseload power.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 11, 2015

Dealing with stagnant load growth, ISO-New England turns to gas, efficiency and DERs

The region expects to lean heavily on energy efficiency and distributed resources to meet demand across the next decade.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2015

Researchers identify new storage tech for concentrated solar power plants

Researchers in Oregon and Florida have identified a storage medium that could widen the reach of concentrated solar power projects.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 10, 2015

NARUC 2015: Utilities push regulators to shift focus to Clean Power Plan compliance

As legal challenges play out, state utility regulators are preparing to comply with the EPA's emissions rule.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 10, 2015

Many states opposed to the CPP are working on compliance plans

Even the states that are suing the EPA are developing compliance strategies for the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2015

AEP Ohio wholesale auction prices continue to decline, stressing utilities

Falling power prices in AEP Ohio's wholesale auction are creating problems for nuclear and coal generators.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 9, 2015

Sierra Club: Power sector's carbon emissions hit lowest level since 1995

Coal retirements have put the United States in a strong position ahead of Paris climate talks planned this month, according to a new Sierra Club report. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2015

Dynegy plans to retire Illinois coal plant, citing market design flaws

The generator blamed a "poorly designed wholesale capacity market" in portions of Illinois for the move.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2015

Michigan lawmakers add 30% renewables 'goal' to energy legislation

Democratic lawmakers in Michigan's House have won amendments to energy legislation that would set a renewables goal for large utilities and maintain the 10% cap on electric choice. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2015

44 states take sides in Clean Power Plan legal melee

Virtually every state has staked out a side, either for or against, the Obama adminstration's signature climate legislation with six remaining neutral. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2015

Arizona Supreme Court to decide if waste qualifies as a renewable resource

The Sierra Club has asked the court to prevent waste-to-biofuels facilities from qualifying for the state's renewable energy mandate.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015

NYISO: Closing NRG Huntly and Dunkirk coal plants won't threaten reliability

Lawmakers have already put a $19 million relief package together for communities, and both plants are scheduled to come offline in early 2016. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015

Midwest power co-ops face steep challenges for Clean Power Plan compliance

Co-op officials aren't excited by the prospect of compliance with the regulatory package, which will push them to draw down coal generation and invest in cleaner energy.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2015

Puerto Rico Gov. Padilla floats bill to restructure debt-strapped PREPA

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority needs to restructure more than $8 billion in debt while modernizing its generation fleet and grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2015

Marijuana grow houses trigger 7 summer outages for Pacific Power

Marijuana became legal for recreational use in Oregon this summer, and since then Pacific Power has faced seven blackouts it attributes to indoor grow operations.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2015

Greens slam SoCal Edison plan for 3 new gas plants in $12B grid modernization

While SCE is one of the nation's leading utilities in energy storage, it wants to construct three new gas plants it says are needed to integrate more renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2015

House subcommittee passes 2 resolutions to roll back EPA carbon rules

Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky) shepherded the measures through a House subcommittee, but the long-term outlook is dim for any legislative attempt at rolling back the Clean Power Plan.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2015

Wind's huge October: Generation records set in 4 of 7 organized markets

Better turbines and new installed capacity from the recent ‘wind rush’ make the resource a significant part of the energy supply on grids across the nation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 5, 2015