Historic Los Angeles methane leak puts natural gas emissions under scrutiny

A massive natural gas leak in southern California raises questions over the electricity sector's increased utilization of the resource for power generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 21, 2015

After Paris, utilities look to deeper decarbonization

Power companies realize they will likely need to cut CO2 emissions more than current regulations demand, but how remains a challenge. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 18, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

Reserve margins are falling, but utilities will reliably meet demand, NERC says

The North American Reliability Corp.'s 10-year reliability assessment predicts 27 GW of coal retirements and increases to both renewable and gas-fired generation.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2015

New Mexico regulators approve plan to keep PNM's San Juan coal plant operating

The plan calls for more coal, alongside natural gas and a small amount of solar.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2015

Ohio's Echogen tapped for 10 MW supercritical CO2 coal demonstration plant

The Ohio-based company will partner with two others and the Electric Power Research Institute to develop the demonstration power plant using "supercritical" carbon dioxide that can provide power more efficiently than traditional power plants.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2015

Duke unveils first solar projects owned and operated by its regulated utilities

The 75 MW solar acquisition is driven by North Carolina’s 12.5% by 2021 renewables mandate. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2015

San Diego City Council approves 100% renewables by 2035 Climate Action Plan

The mandate is expected to cut city emissions 50% and grow the economy, lawmakers said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2015

El Paso pushes Texas regulators to scale back utility rate hike, reject new solar rate class

Under El Paso Electric's proposed increase, customers would see average monthly bill increase of more than $8 when new rates become effective in 2016.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2015

Texas wind sets new records as gas, coal, nuclear generation shares decline

Strong winds, new installed capacity and low gas prices are reshaping the ERCOT generation mix.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 16, 2015

Grand Rapids, Michigan to slash building energy use 50% by 2030

Grand Rapids, Michigan is the latest city to join the 2030 District movement, partnering real estate developers and public officials in a bid to reduce energy use and emissions. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2015

Court ruling lets EPA enforce MATS rule despite Supreme Court rejection

The Enviornmental Protection Agency will be allowed to enforce the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards while it works to fix a flaw in the cost accounting of the regulation identified by the Supreme Court. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 15, 2015

AEP strikes settlement deal for Ohio plant subsidy proposal

In an abrupt turn of events, American Electric Power has reached a settlement guaranteeing income from of its nine Ohio generating units in exchange for promises to develop more wind and solar at cease coal use at other facilities.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2015

2015: A banner year for energy storage

Energy storage hit many milestones in 2015 and reached its highest level of deployment to date.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 15, 2015

FirstEnergy's plant subsidy proposal could triple fixed charges, critics say

FirstEnergy's plan to guarantee income at two of its power plants includes a proposal to raise fixed charges, which opponents say will lead to higher bills and no incentive to conserve energy.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2015

Paris climate talks end in landmark agreement

195 nations signed on to an agreement Saturday that aims to keep global temperature increases "well below" 2 degrees Celsius.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 14, 2015

Report: Solar, energy storage investments poised to boom in Asia

The Asia-Pacific market is emerging as a dominant market for energ storage and smart grid investments, with solar poised as fastest-growing generation resource in 2016,  according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2015

How utilities are meeting rising corporate demand for renewables

U.S. companies are bypassing utilities to buy renewables, but three new IOU programs hold promise for power company involvement in the burgeoning sector. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 14, 2015

SunEdison signs 5 MW of storage contract with Ontario grid

SunEdison has signed a contract with Ontario's grid operator to  supply 5 MW of storage for 10 years, which is the first, large-scale, grid connected energy storage project for the company. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 14, 2015

Study: CCS technology four times as expensive as originally thought

The first analysis of the "energy loop" in carbon capture and storage facilities led University of Michigan analysts to conclude coal should simply be left in the ground.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 14, 2015

FERC: Atlantic Coast Pipeline must consider alternate routes

Federal regulators want backers of the 564-mile pipeline project to consider routes that would have less of a impact on national forests.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2015

EIA sees power sales steady in 2016 as C&I demand compensates for lower residential sales

The federal government sees residential retail sales dropping slightly in 2016, but increases in the commercial and industrial sectors will make up for the decline.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2015

Sour stocks illustrate a rough year for independent power producers

Four independent power producers have seen their stock prices tumble this year, and, according to one analyst, they are "courting irrelevance." 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2015

Compressed air storage mulled for site of retiring Utah coal plant

The 1,800 MW Intermountain Power Plant in Utah will be shuttered in a few years and those who buy its power are looking to energy storage for greener solutions.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2015

FirstEnergy's Ohio subsidy case delayed as regulators set more hearings

The utility had reached a 16-party settlement on a plan to guarantee income at a pair of Ohio power plants, but opponents say the deal raises issues that were not addressed in the original proceeding.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2015

The factors driving wind and solar toward grid parity

A new analysis from Deloitte shows when, where, and why renewables can be cost-competitive. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015