Midwest coalition asks EPA to help it develop voluntary carbon market

Some Midwest states challenging the government's Clean Power Plan are also hedging their bets and are asking for flexibility in meeting the targets should their legal efforts fail.

By Robert Walton • May 11, 2015

Video: Transformer fire shuts down Indian Point nuclear plant

The plant's Unit 3 reactor is safe and stable, but will remain offline for what may be several weeks. 

By Davide Savenije • May 11, 2015

How will the EPA's Clean Power Plan affect the economy?

A new independent study predicts job growth from the plan, but the impacts will be localized.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 8, 2015

Minnesota Power affiliate Allete Clean Energy adds 7th wind farm in 15 months

Allete will purchase a 100 MW Pennsylvania wind farm in its latest move. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 8, 2015

Cheap natural gas crowding out coal on Texas grid

Coal plants supplied 26% of ERCOT's power in the first quarter of 2015, down from 39% a year before.

By Gavin Bade • May 7, 2015

How utilities and policymakers can maintain and boost renewable energy's value

New research puts numbers on the strategies and technologies that best support renewables.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 7, 2015

NC House passes bill to freeze renewable portfolio standard

A last-minute amendment had many renewables advocates worried a key tax provision was about to be rescinded, but it was withdrawn in exchange for other concessions.

By Davide Savenije • May 7, 2015

Mass. grapples with policy options as it hits solar net metering cap

A task force created by the legislature has released a slate of recommendations for how to proceed.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 7, 2015

MidAmerican Energy plans 552 MW of new wind in Iowa

The new projects will extend MidAmerican's status as the leading U.S. utility in terms of wind ownership. 

By Davide Savenije • May 7, 2015

ICYMI: What to expect when demand response goes before the Supreme Court

Legal battles and market uncertainty are the new status quo until SCOTUS rules. And even then, 'certainty' could take many forms.

By Davide Savenije • May 6, 2015

Hawaii legislature sets 100% renewable portfolio standard by 2045

The industry will be watching if Hawaii can transition to 100% renewables in a closed energy ecosystem. 

By Davide Savenije • May 6, 2015

Nebraska wind PTC bill dies at hands of filibuster

Nebraska lags behind its neighbors in wind, and it doesn't look like the state legislature will be able to change that.

By Gavin Bade • May 6, 2015

Duke moves further into natural gas with stake in $3B pipeline

Electric utilities are increasingly getting into the gas production and delivery business to hedge against price spikes.

By Gavin Bade • May 6, 2015

Report: For CPP compliance in Minnesota, renewables can beat gas on price

Without subsidies, the state’s wind is now economically competitive with natural gas.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 6, 2015

Under pressure from Koch-funded groups, Kansas axes renewables mandate

What was a mandate is now a voluntary state goal in a win for conservative groups backed by fossil fuel money.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 6, 2015

California utilities ready plans for community solar programs

California's mandate will see 600 MW of community solar installed at the state's IOUs.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2015

PNM strikes deal to keep coal plant operating through 2022

Environmentalists and consumer advocates would rather see the New Mexico utility consider more renewables, instead of coal.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2015

Report: Wind rush continues with 1,200 MW capacity installed in Q1 2015

Large corporate buyers like Dow Chemical, Walmart, Kaiser Permanente, and Google Energy took over half the capacity of the of Q1 PPAs.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 4, 2015

DC Circuit overturns EPA backup generator rule

The decision is a blow to demand response providers; a win for generators. 

By Gavin Bade • May 4, 2015

Supreme Court to hear FERC Order 745 case over demand response rules

The highest court in the land will hear the case — but not for another 5 months at least. 

By Davide Savenije • May 4, 2015

FirstEnergy earnings jump on line investments, 'conservative' competitive strategy

The company will significantly lower the amount of power it generates this year.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2015

Wisconsin approves We Energies-Integrys merger

Regulators attached conditions to the merger approval, including returning sharing excessive profits with customers.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2015

Xcel subsidiary Northern States Power tests community solar in Wisconsin

A proposed 3 MW offering comes in response to co-ops’ development of solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 1, 2015

Entergy eyeing up to $300M investment in natural gas reserves

The utility said the potential to invest in natural gas reserves will largely hinge on a regulatory proceeding ongoing in Louisiana.

By Robert Walton • May 1, 2015

NRC approves DTE Energy to construct new nuclear generator

But due to the low cost of gas-fired generation and Michigan's regulatory structure, it is doubtful the facility will ever be built.

By Robert Walton • May 1, 2015