What will NextEra's acquisition of HECO mean for solar energy?

NextEra Energy is a leader in renewable power — unless you're talking about its regulated utility Florida Power & Light, and this worries solar advocates in Hawaii.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 2015

AEP weighing sale of merchant generation business

The Ohio-based utility could sell as many as seven generation facilities, reports say.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 6, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

California Gov. Brown sets 50% renewable energy goal by 2030

In his inaugural address, Gov. Jerry Brown called for California to get half its power from renewables in 15 years.  

By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 2015

Activists push for new RTO as Southeast utility reserve margins called into question

NC WARN wants federal regulators to investigate Duke, Southern, FPL, TVA, and other Southeastern utilities, saying their new generation capacity is actually unneeded overbuilding aimed at pumping profits and blocking renewables.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 6, 2015

Nuclear plant leaked oil into Lake Michigan for months

Over 2,000 gallons of oil have been spilled by the Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman, Mich.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 5, 2015

Future of coal at stake as New Mexico regulators consider PNM plan

The replacement of Sun Juan coal units is expected to set a new direction for generation in the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 5, 2015

Southwest Power Pool plans new gas plants, transmission to meet EPA rules

The RTO’s upgrades will add up to 21 GW of natural gas generation and 3.3 GW of wind to replace coal

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 5, 2015

Xcel proposes doubling renewable energy in Minnesota

The utility has a plan to slash carbon emissions by 40% by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 5, 2015

DHS data dump could enhance cybersecurity risk for utilities

The potential to remotely damage generators has been known for years, but the U.S. Department of Homeland Security mistakenly released documents revealing far more detail about how to exploit the issue.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 5, 2015

Regulators direct BNSF to provide detail on coal delivery plan

Deliveries of coal are reportedly improving to utilities which had faced precarious stockpiles.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 5, 2015

Texas leads on wind generation as U.S. expands renewable power production

After 14 years in office, wind generation may be one of Texas Gov. Rick Perry's unlikely legacies.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2015

For some states, 2015 begins with stronger renewables mandates

Increasing renewable portfolio standards have kicked in for utilities in four states.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2015

North Carolina regulators reject proposals to change utility-scale solar regulations

NCUC upholds standard contract term, project size, and avoided cost calculation for utility scale solar projects.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 2, 2015

Global utility-scale PV sets new build record for 5th year running

Cumulative utility-scale PV capacity grew over 10,000 megawatts in 2014 to over 30.3 gigawatts

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 1, 2015

Louisiana power demand outpaces Entergy capacity additions

Despite bringing a new unit online and buying a power plant, Entergy will need to construct new power plants to meet Louisiana demand.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 30, 2014

Vivint Solar plans 20 new offices in big national market epansion

Building on solar’s boom and its billion dollar IPO, Vivint Solar eyes 20 new markets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 30, 2014

Solar, wind power dominate new generation in November

With one month left in the year, it's anyone's guess whether natural gas or renewables will add more MW in 2014.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 29, 2014

EPA's long-awaited coal ash rule pleases nobody

EPA says it went as far as the law and the facts will allow in ruling on the handling of coal ash.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 28, 2014

Warm December drives natural gas prices to near two-year low

There is more gas in storage now than there was at this point last winter, but levels are still significantly below the five-year average.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 23, 2014

PJM wants to postpone plant retirements to ensure reliability

The regional grid operator says scheduled plant retirements next year could put reliability at risk in the winter.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 23, 2014

Jobs fall in generation industry — except for renewables

Jobs in solar energy generation are up more than 200% since the beginning of 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but nuclear energy generation has lost more than 4,900 jobs.

By Randy Lilleston • Dec. 23, 2014

Nebraska utility will get nearly half its energy from renewables by 2016

New 25-year contracts for wind and solar will save ratepayers $429 million.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 22, 2014

Kentucky regulators approve state's first utility-scale solar project

The array will give Louisville Gas and Electric (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities (KU) needed reserves.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 22, 2014

Greens want Duke to pay for Edwardsport shortcomings

The environmental group said Duke Energy has not lived up to its promises and should pay for any emissions compliance costs at its Edwardsport facility in Knox County, Indiana.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 22, 2014

SolarCity brings in head Obama campaigner, preps major customer acquisition drive

Former Obama organizer Jon Carson, SolarCity’s new sales ambassador, believes connecting people will get more solar on the grid.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 21, 2014