We Energies gets OK to switch coal plant to natural gas

We Energies plans to switch the 280-MW Valley power plant to natural gas by early 2016.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 3, 2014

Minnesota state agency crafts 'value of solar' formula

The move in Minnesota to peg the value of solar comes as states are looking closely at rooftop solar policies.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 3, 2014

PacifiCorp utility wants to change PURPA contract rules

Amid a dispute, Rocky Mountain Power is seeking a new approach to Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act contracts.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 3, 2014

Dominion Resources to sell retail business

Dominion "fine tunes" its business model by focusing on regulated utility and solar operations.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 2, 2014

Demand response growing in Texas

The rise of demand response in Texas may be pushing out the need to build new power plants.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 31, 2014

CMS Energy plans to buy natural gas plant

CMS Energy plans to buy a Michigan plant instead of building one.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 31, 2014

Southeast's renewable capacity is half the national average

But not counting hydro, the Southeast is only slightly behind the rest of the U.S. on renewables.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 30, 2014

California PUC President: Utility death spiral is 'last year's hype'

Utilities have adapted before and the smart ones will do so again, according to PUC President Michael Peevey.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 30, 2014

Colorado PUC enters net metering fray

Arizona, California, and now Colorado will soon make key decisions on the costs and benefits of rooftop solar. Utilities, solar advocates and other states are watching.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 30, 2014

NextEra: Solar 'crowding out' wind in parts of U.S.

NextEra Energy Resources sees solar beating out wind in parts of U.S., but expands wind development plans.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 29, 2014

Fitch: Cold weather exposes natural gas vulnerability

The power sector's growing reliance on natural gas makes it susceptible to cold weather disruptions.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 29, 2014

Tucson utility to convert coal unit to natural gas

The move is part of Tucson Electric's plan to move away from coal.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 29, 2014

Arizona regulators to investigate value of distributed generation

The investigation will be watched by utilities, solar developers and other state regulators.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 29, 2014

SunPower lands $220M in financing for solar leasing

The move is another sign of expanding financing options for solar developers.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 29, 2014

California solar advocates win victory over utility rate changes

A California PUC law judge rejects utility plans to slash high-tier rates, which would have hurt solar's competitiveness.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 28, 2014

Utilities adapt as solar rises in the Southeast

Falling solar prices has caused Southeast utilities to rethink their stance towards the technology.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 28, 2014

New England's second-largest power plant to retire

The coal-fired Brayton Point plant will retire despite its "must run" status.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 28, 2014

Conservatives split on rooftop solar

Tea Party Republicans are working with solar advocates in various states.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

Wyoming wind power could save California $750M

An NREL study points to major savings. But power lines need to be built to deliver the wind energy to California.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

California city mandates solar for all new homes

The solar rule is part of the city's effort to be the first net-zero energy city in the world.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

Lux Research: Solar prices to fall by up to 30% by 2020

With lower costs, Lux expects solar prices to fall by up to 8 cents/kWh by 2020.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 24, 2014

New England seeks more power lines for renewables

New England's power supply could be remade by plans to add power lines for renewables and increase natural gas pipeline capacity.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

Duke Energy wants to cut solar subsidies in N.C.

Duke Energy is joining the list of utilities that want to cut how much they pay customers with rooftop solar.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

Iowa Supreme Court to decide third-party solar case

Iowa utilities contend that third-party solar operators illegally infringe on their customers.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

The forgotten renewable: A user's guide to geothermal

Geothermal offers baseload power and is backed by some major companies. It may be ready for a bigger role in the renewable sector.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 22, 2014