TVA to retire coal plant, choose new natural gas or renewables

Gas is lowest cost now but new transmission could make wind the wiser choice long term.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 11, 2014

NRG Energy loses money during mild spring

CEO David Crane said he does not recall "a first half of the year where we were so whipsawed by the weather."

By Robert Walton • Aug. 11, 2014

Has APS invented a rooftop solar business model for utilities?

Regulators must decide if Arizona Public Service's rooftop solar proposal is a breakthrough or a threat.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 11, 2014

OGE breaks even in Q2 as utility eyes $1.1B in emissions costs

The utility wants to clean up its coal and natural gas but it’s going to cost customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 9, 2014

SolarCity losing money but keeps growing fast

The company got more installs faster and cheaper than ever in Q2 2014 but is still spending faster than it is getting.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 9, 2014

Minnesota regulators turn away from value-of-solar concept

Community garden rates will be tied to fuel costs instead of solar’s calculated value.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 9, 2014

The worst-ranked utilities for clean energy

Utilities from the Southeast are deploying the least renewables and energy efficiency. 

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 8, 2014

NRG to close, convert or retrofit 4 Illinois coal plants

One plant will be shuttered, another will be switched to natural gas and two more will receive environmental retrofits.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 7, 2014

Michigan utilities, solar advocates find harmony on community solar

DTE Energy, Consumers Energy and advocates like community solar but net metering and incentives fights go on.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 6, 2014

U.S. utilities signed up for 3 GW of utility-scale solar in the last year

Utilities and developers who think past the ITC can lock in today’s low prices.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 6, 2014

2nd-biggest U.S. residential solar installer files for IPO, sources say

Vivint Solar is one of the biggest competitors for SolarCity -- and utilities. 

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 6, 2014

FirstEnergy CEO: Competitive markets 'are clearly in transition'

Operating earnings for the company fall on high expenses at its regulated utilities and lower margins at its competitive arm.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 6, 2014

Mississippi Power to buy renewables, convert coal units

Sierra Club reached a settlement with the Southern Co. subsidiary over the construction of the Kemper IGCC plant. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 5, 2014

Will fixed charges on rooftop solar drive consumers off-grid?

With the price of solar-plus-storage dropping, a bill charge could make using the grid too costly.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 5, 2014

FirstEnergy wants regulated utilities to subsidize unregulated power fleet

FirstEnergy has filed rate plans for its regulated utilities to buy power from retail electricity seller FirstEnergy Soluitons.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 5, 2014

Ameren CEO: EPA emissions rule is 'unworkable'

Ameren says the EPA rule asks for too much too soon and may be illegal.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 5, 2014

Problems with coal deliveries threaten grid reliability in Midwest

Xcel, Dairyland Power, other utilities report plants many not be able to meet demand peaks.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2014

AEP's Ohio Power takes net metering to state supreme court

FirstEnergy Ohio, Dayton Power & Light, and Duke Energy may also argue net metering causes a cost shift.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2014

How should utilities value solar?

Solar is a revenue opportunity utilities can no longer ignore. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2014

SoCal Edison inks deal for 1.3 GW of new solar

The utility looks ahead to 2020 -- when California IOUs are supposed to hit their 33% renewable portfolio standards. 

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 4, 2014

Exelon pushes Illinois lawmakers to subsidize nuclear fleet

Losing revenue to renewables, Exelon argues nuclear will help meet Illinois emissions goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2014

PG&E earnings down 18% as San Bruno explosion continues to plague utility

Higher operating costs, including an estimated $2.7 billion to deal with the aftermath of the gas pipeline explosion, drove earnings down.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 1, 2014

Dominion Resources Q2 earnings down 21% in 2014

Energy demand was off and new construction incurred costs but Dominion’s growth plans moved ahead.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 31, 2014

PSE&G income up on Energy Strong rate recovery plan

The $1.2 billion grid-hardening plan promises the utility growth through 2018.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 31, 2014

PPL plans 725-mile transmission line to deliver cheaper power to East Coast

It could cost up to $6 billion to deliver shale gas-produced electricity to New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 31, 2014