PJM natural gas generation capacity surpasses coal for first time

Amid a wave of coal plant retirements, gas is now the dominant fuel in the PJM market.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2015

Coal plant retirements April-June account for 3% of Q1 consumption

Analysis shows coal units being retired this year were dispatched frequently during the winter.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2015

PPL completes spinoff of competitive generation business

Combined with generation asssets held by Riverstone Holdings, the new entity is among the largest independent power producers in the country.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2015

BLM fast tracks permitting for 3 solar projects worth 440 MW on federal land

Streamlined permitting in pre-identified development zones shows the feds can move faster.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 3, 2015

SDG&E microgrid uses solar, storage to avoid outage in small town

In May, San Diego Gas & Electric used a microgrid to supply power to almost 3,000 people during planned maintenance of its system.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2015

Growing public utility Sonoma Clean Power ousts PG&E from county

Three more communities in Sonoma County, Calif., have made the clean energy agency their default provider.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2015

Central Hudson rate case will test REV rules on distributed resources

Central Hudson Gas & Electric included distributed energy resources in its new rate case, causing independent generators to question whether it violates state rules.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2015

How the EPA Clean Power Plan will transform the US energy system

Carbon regulations will mean huge changes for solar, but how fast the market grows will depend on a number of policy choices and economic conditions.  

By Gavin Bade • June 3, 2015

DC Circuit Court rejects challenges to EPA ozone regulations

The top federal appeals court in the nation rejected multiple challenges to the agency's broad powers to regulate ground-level ozone, caused by fossil fuel burning. 

By Gavin Bade • June 2, 2015

After Senate showdown, Buffett's Berkshire pushes PURPA reform in House

Berkshire Hathaway Energy wants to do away with requirements that utilities purchase power from small renewable and cogeneration facilities.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2015

Utilities claim MISO charges millions in unjustified transmission fees

Southern Co. and three utilities located in Missouri claim the Midcontinent ISO has been overcharhing them by millions to bring power across the Entergy grid which the regional operator began managing in 2013.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2015

Exelon to decide fate of Illinois nuclear plant in September, CEO says

The fate of two of Exelon's nuclear facilities may be tied to the upcoming PJM base residual auction; a third plant not in that market is also struggling.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2015

Texas renewables mandate repeal bill flounders in state House

Sen. Troy Fraser's SB 931 to end the Texas renewables mandate and defund a transmission build out is going nowhere.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2015

Illinois AG, consumer group accuse Dynegy of MISO market manipulation

Federal regulators will take comment on the allegations until June 17.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2015

Kansas Gov. signs law directing agencies to comply with Clean Power Plan

While the state is still opposed to the Clean Power Plan, Gov. Brownback seems to believe making a state compliance ban is better than having the EPA do it for them.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2015

NRG, ITC partner in proposed $3.5B bailout Puerto Rico's troubled utility

The two companies have reportedly partnered with a private investment firm in a $3.5 billion deal to assist the island's ailing utility.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2015

SCE&G, Duke reach settlements to add 190 MW of solar in South Carolina

SCE&G will add 84 MW, and Duke will construct 106 MW, each split equally between utility-scale installments, and residential, C&I, and community solar projects.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 29, 2015

New Mexico regulators delay San Juan coal plant decision

Regulators delayed a decision on Public Service of New Mexico's plan to purchase additional power from the coal-fired facility.  

By Robert Walton • May 29, 2015

How climate change threatens the Western grid, and what to do about it

Current estimates of reserve margins could be as much as 25% off, according to new research.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 29, 2015

Lawsuit alleges TX regulators illegally allowed coal plants to pollute above EPA limits

Environmental groups say email records show Texas regulators plotting with utilities to give them a break from EPA particulate regulations.

By Robert Walton • May 29, 2015

Weak winds in Q1 hit utilities, developers in their pocketbooks

But, analysts say increased accuracy of long-term forecasts for bigger wind projects eases the short term concerns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 28, 2015

Illinois lawmakers ignore Exelon's warnings, delay nuclear subsidy bill

Though Exelon has threatened to shutter three facilities absent legislative action, it appears Illinois lawmakers will not consider subsidies in this session.

By Robert Walton • May 28, 2015

Federal appeals court rejects Kansas, utility challenge to cross-state pollution rule

The D.C. Circuit unanimously rejected Kansas' challenge to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s implementation of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule.

By Robert Walton • May 28, 2015

Coal retirements could lead Kentucky to 'accidental' compliance with the Clean Power Plan

While the state debates with the idea of not submitting a plan to meet Clean Power Plan emissions targets, coal plant retirements could lead to compliance anyway.

By Robert Walton • May 28, 2015

Buffett's BHE Renewables buys 655 MW of wind, 7 solar projects

Warren Buffett's unregulated renewables subsidiary acquires Nebraska, Minnesota, and Illinois holdings from Geronimo Energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 27, 2015