White House rejects biomass as carbon neutral

In a policy statement opposing House efforts to undermine environmental reforms, the Obama administration said it opposed efforts to declare forest biomass fuels as 'carbon neutral.'

By Robert Walton • July 2, 2015

HECO files with regulators to cut solar net metering rates in half

HECO also wants to up the minimum monthly bill to cover a cost shift it says costs $53 million per year.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 2, 2015

Austin Energy gets record low solar bids at under 4 cents/kWh

Solar bids are getting cheaper so quickly that the utility is asking its oversight arm to slow down approvals so it can get the best deal possible.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 2, 2015

What happened when NRG Energy disrupted its own business model

The country’s biggest independent power producer is going retail with rooftop solar, EV chargers, and connected consumer products.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 1, 2015

Lower gas prices edge coal out of SPP market

June coal-fired generation on the Southwest Power Pool grid fell more than 6% year-over-year.

By Robert Walton • July 1, 2015

Georgia Power unveils rooftop solar installation offering

The utility will not yet offer leasing or loan financing and the solar arrays "will not be rate based assets," an executive told Utility Dive.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 1, 2015

Obama calls for 20% renewables by 2030 as Brazil, China join in new climate goals

The United States, Brazil and China all announced climate change initiatives yesterday, calling for conservation, emissions reductions and more non-hydro renewable resources.

By Robert Walton • July 1, 2015

Maine lawmakers override Gov. LePage's veto of value of solar bill

Huge bipartisan majorities send “Ratepayer Focused Strategy” for solar to state regulators, while LePage looks increasingly weak.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 1, 2015

DOE-backed floating wind project may lose funding as utilities reject power prices

Utilities they can buy onshore wind at a quarter of the price of WindFloat’s ocean wind electricity.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 30, 2015

Study: More than half of large US businesses generate power on site

Businesses are increasingly focused on keeping down energy costs, and a growing number are generating some portion of their own electricity needs.

By Robert Walton • June 30, 2015

Supreme Court rejects EPA MATS rule

The agency interpreted the Clean Air Act unreasonably by not considering costs in crafting the emissions regulations, the court decided on Monday.

By Gavin Bade • June 29, 2015

Minn. PUC approves Xcel-solar industry deal on community shared solar

State regulators limit co-located projects to 5 MW while Xcel promises to speed approvals.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 29, 2015

PJM: Carbon rules could cut coal burn more than 40%

New analysis from the grid operator finds the Clean Power Plan could reduce coal generation by up to 42%, but could also be significantly less.

By Robert Walton • June 29, 2015

Grid Edge Live 2015: The trends behind the explosion in distributed resources

Billions will go to DERs in the next three years, driven by changing policies and new utility opportunities.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 29, 2015

EPA, Alabama Power reach deal to close, convert coal plants, invest in EV chargers

The agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Justice and the utility builds on a previous settlement reached nearly a decade ago.

By Robert Walton • June 29, 2015

New York Gov. Cuomo releases REV roadmap, seeks deep GHG cuts

A new state energy plan would mandate 50% renewables and cut building energy use 23% by 2030.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 29, 2015

Measure to block EPA Clean Power Plan passes House

The bill would allow states to opt out of Clean Power Plan compliance until court challenges have been completed.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2015

Feds hand down fines, order emissions cuts at Four Corners coal facility

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency directed the plant's owners to spend $160 million upgrading sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollution controls.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2015

Report: Few gas line expansions needed to meet Clean Power Plan mandates

Plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants will not drive significant gas pipeline expansions, according to a new report from Advanced Energy Economy.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2015

How utilities are leveraging new software to help customers go solar

A new Clean Power Research product helps customers choose the right size and rate for rooftop solar, and pick the right finance plan.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 25, 2015

Gov. Pence: Indiana will not comply with EPA Clean Power Plan as proposed

Absent significant changes to  the rule, the Indiana Gov. Mike Pence sent President Obama a letter indicating his state will not be filing a compliance plan.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2015

Duke proposes full excavation of 12 North Carolina coal ash basins

The decision drew praise from environmentalists, but also calls to address coal ash at a dozen other sites around the state.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2015

How California plans to integrate distributed resources into its ISO market

California’s ISO will be the first to open its market to rooftop PV, batteries and EVs, but there's much to do before the first bids can come in.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 24, 2015

Duke solar partner REC Solar buys commercial sector competitor Stellar Energy

With a 400 MW portfolio, Duke’s installer is getting ready to compete with sector giant SolarCity.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 24, 2015

MISO: Clean Power Plan could halve coal burn

Coal accounted for almost 60% of MISO's generation last year, but by 2030 could supply just a quarter.

By Robert Walton • June 24, 2015