South Mississippi drops bid for portion of Kemper coal gasification plant

Citing rising costs and changing energy needs, South Mississippi Electric has dropped its bid to purchase a portion of Southern Company's gasification plant.

By Robert Walton • May 22, 2015

Did the EPA drop carbon capture tech from its new power plant rules?

A report suggests the agency may have dropped a controversial requirement that new coal plants be built with CCS technology.

By Robert Walton • May 22, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

2 new reports examine Clean Power Plan compliance methods, legitimacy

As states ready themselves for the final rule to be unveiled, stakeholders are considering compliance options and legal battles. 

By Robert Walton • May 22, 2015

Southern purchases 103 MW Georgia solar plant

Southern Power now has more than 1,100 MW of renewables in its portfolio.

By Robert Walton • May 22, 2015

Minnesota co-op Stearns Electric adds community shared solar option

Each $1,300 module will give an expected $5 per month bill credit to member subscribers.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 21, 2015

PJM coal burn drops 14% in Q1, driven by low gas prices

The system performed better during the cold 2015 winter than it had the year before, but forced outage rates remain a problem for the grid operator.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2015

Arizona Public Service will join California Energy Imbalance Market

The Phoenix-based utility expects to begin participating in California's new Energy Imbalance Market beginning in the fall of 2016.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2015

Duke will shutter Asheville coal plant, replace it with 650 MW of natural gas

The $1.1B build-out will include new transmission infrastructure and a solar array.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 20, 2015

SNL: Wind rush continues with 2,166 MW of new capacity announced in Q1 2015

10 new projects were announced in the first quarter, including two 408 MW offshore wind projects for Hawaii.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 20, 2015

AEP tweaks coal subsidy proposal, asks Ohio regulators to reconsider

The utility says 3,000 MW of coal-fired power necessary for reliability would be unprofitable without taxpayer support.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2015

Xcel strikes deal to cut pollution in national parks, end haze lawsuit

Some $50 million in emissions reduction upgrades will significnatly reduce the pollution coming from Xcel Energy's Sherco power plant in Becker, Minn.

By Robert Walton • May 19, 2015

Oklahoma legislators, wind industry reach compromise on tax breaks

Wind developers give up the property tax exemption, but get to keep the zero emissions tax credit.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 19, 2015

What a 50% renewables mandate means for California

A new report says billions of dollars in clean energy development could be unlocked, but it will mean big changes for utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 19, 2015

Cheap emissions credits allow coal plants to pollute, worsening NJ air quality

Coal generators in states upwind of New Jersey have been shutting off carbon capture technology because it is cheaper to buy credits, taking a significant toll on the state's air quality.

By Robert Walton • May 19, 2015

Wright-Hennepin: A case study in utility transformation

Solar is helping the small co-op survive amist competition from large IOUs and flat load growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 18, 2015

New Mexico regulators reject PNM's rate increase, solar fee proposal

The utility failed to calculate its need for revenues accurately, regulators said.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 18, 2015

Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Energy pushing for PURPA reform

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) said Berkshire Hathaway Energy would stand to profit substantially from proposed changes to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2015

Manitoba tribe battling Minnesota hydro bill

The Pimicikamak Okimawin tribal nation has been lobbying Minnesota lawmakers in opposition to a new hydro project and potential regulatory changes that could increase the state's dependence on the energy source.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2015

Coal state senators introduce package of 5 'clean coal' bills

Senators from West Virginia and North Dakota have propsed several pieces of legislation aimed at keeping the resource in the United States' energy mix.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2015

Report: RGGI changes will be needed under Clean Power Plan

A report from the Acadia Center outlines key changes member states of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will need to make in order to comply with the the Clean Power Plan.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2015

Duke pleads guilty to nine coal ash charges stemming from Dan River spill

Multiple failures to avoid the disaster lead to $102 million in fines and reparations.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 15, 2015

SNL: Over 12,000 MW of coal plants will retire in 2015

With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule now in effect, coal plants are retiring or converting at record rates.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2015

Duke Energy reaches agreement to expand community solar in South Carolina

The deal could grow Duke Energy's South Carolina solar portfolio from 2 MW to 110 MW.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2015

Report: Georgia Power's Vogtle nuclear plant may see more delays

The Associated Press has obtained a report showing delays to construct Georgia Power's Vogtle nuclear plant are likely to extend even beyond current estimates.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2015

Maryland Gov. Hogan signs community shared solar bills into law

The new laws authorize a 3-year pilot program and studies of costs, benefits, and best practices for community solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 14, 2015