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

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

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

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

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

After public rebuke, Duke axes Carolina power line, downsizes gas plant proposal

The utility will construct two smaller gas-fired plants instead of one, and scrapped plans for a new line and substation, opting to lean on efficiency and demand management instead. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 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

NY Gov. Cuomo: State will fight Entergy plans to shutter FitzPatrick nuclear plant

The state questioned Entergy's corporate citizenship following the announcement it would shut down the 838-MW James A. FitzPatrick nuclear facility in Scriba, N.Y.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2015

How to decarbonize the US energy system, in 14 charts

A powerful new policy simulator lays out the costs and benefits of the Clean Power Plan and deeper decarbonization on the electricity sector and broader economy. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 5, 2015

Oregon ballot initiatives to eliminate coal power by 2030 clear first hurdle

Renew Oregon submitted twice the necessary signatures in an initial step to putting coal to the test in next November's election.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2015

EIA: Nuclear capacity set to rise despite recent shutdowns

Though the agency's data wasn't updated in time to account for Entergy's recent announcement that it will shutter a facility in New York, the U.S. Energy Information Admnistration says nuclear capacity will likely rise between now and 2020.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2015

How the legal battle over demand response could hinder California's climate goals

Observers say demand response could be key to California's bid to reach 50% renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2015

Duke looks to extend licenses for aging nuke fleet in the Carolinas

Duke Energy officials say they will hold on to their nuclear fleet in North and South Carolina as long as possible, doubting the chances for new generation.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 3, 2015

Entergy announces plans to retire NY's FitzPatrick nuclear plant

Entergy Corp. will shut down its 838 MW James A. FitzPatrick nuclear power plant by late 2016 or early 2017. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 2, 2015

Duke's Piedmont deal forces restructuring ownership of Atlantic Coast Pipeline

Dominion Resources will remain the lead owner of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, but how the shares will be restructered remains to be seen.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2015