Gridlock in transmission queues spotlights need for FERC action on planning

FERC is calling for stakeholder input to address the backlog in transmission queues holding 70% of the renewables needed for Biden's policy goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 19, 2021

Heatwave, wildfires heighten urgency for Western RTO: Glick, Clements

Some ex-FERC commissioners and chairs have urged FERC to tackle this unilaterally, but Chair Richard Glick and Commissioner Allison Clements believe such a policy should come from Western stakeholders themselves.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 16, 2021

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

Sen. Lankford voices doubts over Democratic clean energy standard, calling it 'punitive' for fossil fuels

Democrats are advancing clean energy funding and policy through a variety of legislative pathways, but Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., doubts how much will make it into a final bill.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2021

FERC launches proceeding to reform transmission policy

“This is the beginning of a very long process,” said Commissioner Mark Christie.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 16, 2021

Developers enter largest green hydrogen PPA in US with 345 MW of wind to power facility

A new liquid hydrogen plant, part of a network Plug Power plans to build to satisfy rapidly growing demand, will be powered by a wind farm developed by Apex Clean Energy.

By Emma Penrod • July 15, 2021

Clean electricity standard lands spot in $3.5 trillion Democratic-backed infrastructure deal

Efforts to pass a national standard that would require utilities across the country to slash emissions took a step forward Wednesday.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 15, 2021

Senators clash over policy to increase FERC transmission siting authority

Proposed legislation could allow federal regulators to override state authority in siting transmission where demand and congestion are high. One Republican proposed eliminating it, sparking a Senate committee debate.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 15, 2021

ERCOT releases plan to boost reliability after blackouts, as report outlines gas, electric failures

Former PUCT officials called the plan "a good start," but said the state still needs to think about how it can improve demand response and energy efficiency programs.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 14, 2021

New York to test green hydrogen at Long Island power plant

The experiment is part of a research initiative by the power authority as the Empire State scrambles to reduce carbon emissions by 85% over the next three decades.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 12, 2021

As Chatterjee's tenure ends, FERC could be 'single most impactful agency' on climate: Rep. Casten

The question of who will fill Commissioner Neil Chatterjee's seat took on new urgency last week as the commissioner announced that July would, probably, be his last open meeting.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 12, 2021

PJM Board approves new MOPR plan in effort to placate states, FERC

The plan aims to accommodate state policies, mitigate buyer side market power and be a long-lasting, resilient solution, according to PJM officials.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 9, 2021

DOE taps GE Hitachi to lead research on lowering advanced nuclear construction costs

The latest initiative to further development of modular nuclear technology also signals a need for the Biden administration to establish a supply chain for high-assay low-enriched uranium.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 8, 2021

Groups ask Congress for first-of-its-kind cost analysis of RTOs amid market expansion debate

Though markets were restructured in the early 2000s and some studies have pointed to their benefits, a more comprehensive cost analysis has never been done.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 8, 2021

Decarbonize the power sector by 2035? 'I'm skeptical,' NRG VP says of Biden plan

President Joe Biden's administration will spur the growth of renewables and other clean energy technologies, but wholly eliminating power sector emissions by 2035 is a tall order, experts say.

By Robert Walton • July 2, 2021

As utilities risk missing carbon reduction targets, analysts stress need for organizational change

Sierra Club and the Smart Electric Power Alliance published separate analyses on the shortcomings of utilities in their net zero emissions pledges, finding a common solution in new organizational approaches.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 1, 2021

'What in the world is happening with the weather': Western heat wave raises questions for grid planning

The heat wave showed that the region can face weather events outside of anything it has experienced in the past — "and a huge amount of utility planning is based on looking at our previous experience," one expert said. 

By Kavya Balaraman • July 1, 2021

Transmission developer files complaint with FERC against PJM's 'Catch-22' on merchant-owned transmission

Under PJM's market rules, merchant-developed transmission projects have to be evaluated in the generation interconnection queue, causing years of delay for the SOO Green HVDC Link.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 1, 2021

FERC's Glick names former ratepayer advocate to lead Office of Public Participation

Glick selected Elin Katz, former head of the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel, to run FERC’s new division, which aims to increase public involvement in the agency’s decision-making.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Oct. 13, 2021

Building a US clean manufacturing strategy to counter China and tackle climate change

The authors highlight four industries, including hydrogen production, that promise to become major export businesses as global markets for clean products grow.

By David Hart and Stefan Koester • June 29, 2021

Massachusetts state rep, favored by renewables industry, emerges among the frontrunners to fill FERC seat

Though a final nominee has not yet been announced, Maria Duaime Robinson has been vetted by the White House, according to sources.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 28, 2021

NRC special inspection at Vogtle could lead to more delays for troubled nuclear project

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission August 27 released initial conclusions from its June 21 inspection of Vogtle. If finalized without any changes, the findings will lead to increased oversight of the plant, the commission said.

By Jason Plautz • Updated Aug. 30, 2021

California braces for energy resource shortfalls amid extreme heat and drought

Customer conservation and demand response "are going to be critical to getting through the year," California Independent System Operator President and CEO Elliot Mainzer said Friday.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 2021

California approves 11.5 GW of new clean resources in largest-ever single procurement order

"This is a landmark decision. I don’t think it's hyperbole to describe it as such," CPUC Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said at the Thursday meeting.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 25, 2021

Consumers Energy to end Michigan coal use by 2025, but critics wary of plan to buy existing gas plants

The utility plans to eliminate coal 15 years ahead of its current track, and by 2040 it would deliver more than 60% renewable energy.  

By Robert Walton • June 24, 2021

CPUC ditches natural gas in 11.5 GW proposal but leaves door open for future fossil fuel procurement

Regulators want further analysis of the potential reliability impacts before asking for additional fossil fuel procurement, they said in a new version of the proposed decision. 

By Kavya Balaraman • June 24, 2021