Arizona showdown: Lawmakers face regulators in fight over zero-emissions mandate

Conservatives say the Arizona Corporation Commission's proposed zero-carbon mandate oversteps its constitutional authority while defenders say the legal debate is an excuse to impede the state's climate fight.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2021

Cleaning up the power grid requires a federal-state partnership

The federal government can take several actions that would enable and empower states to reach their 100% clean energy goals, the authors write.

By Bentham Paulos and Warren Leon • Feb. 8, 2021

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

Senate confirms former North Carolina regulator Regan as head of EPA

Michael Regan had pledged to take a "clean slate" approach when determining how to take on the Clean Power Plan versus the Affordable Clean Energy Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 11, 2021

Alliant, Duke announce generator shutdowns, accelerating nation's transition to coal-free status

Alliant Energy's plan to shutter its 1,100 MW Columbia Energy Center will make its Wisconsin subsidiary coal-free by 2025.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 4, 2021

Boston kicks off community choice electricity program, aiming to surpass state's renewables requirement

The Massachusetts capital now becomes a key East Coast adopter of a locally driven utility model championed in major California and Ohio cities — its latest effort toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 1, 2021

Nuclear has another friend in Biden, but changes at the NRC could mean more scrutiny ahead

The president has voiced strong support for nuclear, but as a new NRC chair begins his tenure, the sector could face stricter regulations.

By Matthew Bandyk • Feb. 1, 2021

Xcel cuts carbon emissions 50% by 2021, eyes Colorado transmission, coal plants to reach 2030 goal

The utility hinted that its Colorado IRP would include heavy investments in transmission and renewables, as well as action on its remaining coal plants in the state, and likely looking similar to its plans in Minnesota.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 29, 2021

'No compelling reason not to': Former FERC chairs, commissioners call for federal transmission overhaul

Nine former commissioners and chairs agree that now is the time for federal regulators to tackle interregional grid planning, following the release of a report.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 28, 2021

Biden order aims to double offshore wind, boost transmission, end fossil fuel subsidies

In total, the president signed three executive orders, all aimed at placing the climate crisis at the center of his administration and moving the U.S. toward 100% clean electricity by 2035.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 28, 2021

Want a more distributed and lower cost power system? Try this new planning tool

Vibrant Clean Energy offers system modeling to match today's granularity and breaks the barrier between bulk system and distribution system planning.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2021

Chatterjee calls on Congress to update federal energy policy to alleviate burden on FERC

"Legislative intransigence in Washington has put more and more of the critical decision making in the hands of agencies...that may not necessarily have the tools to address the complex challenges before us," the commissioner said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 27, 2021

FirstEnergy, Duke challenge Sierra Club claims of 'greenwashing' on climate goals

The conservation group created a rubric to grade 79 utilities on their long-term strategies, assigning failing grades to companies lacking plans to retire coal generation by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2021

Duke coal ash clean up settlement shifts $1.1B in costs away from North Carolina ratepayers

The proposed settlement details how the utility will allocate the costs of its coal ash removal, allowing it to earn a return on equity from the cleanup, though at a lower rate than it had originally proposed.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 26, 2021

Duke stranded gas assets could cost customers $4.8B, report finds

The utility's long-term resource plans in the Carolinas could add up to 9.6 GW of new gas resources by 2050, but a "substantial" amount will need to come offline to meet its zero-emissions goals, the report found.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 26, 2021

Minnesota governor accelerates state's carbon-free power target 10 years, to 2040

The state's largest investor-owned utilities — Xcel Energy and Minnesota Power — are pursuing 100% carbon-free energy by 2050, and expressed some concern about the governor's accelerated timeline.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 25, 2021

PJM, utilities 'messing with' state sovereignty is 'biggest threat' to climate goals: Maryland commissioner

State lawmakers say that while leaving the capacity market appears less likely with the new administration, his comments reflect a broader power struggle between the state and its grid operator.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 22, 2021

Biden moves to rejoin Paris climate accord on first day in office, signs order to quickly review Trump regulatory actions

Stakeholders say Biden's day one actions signify that energy and the environment will be a top priority for his team.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 21, 2021

FERC rejects NYISO MOPR expansion, gas infrastructure orders, in Danly's last meeting as chair

"This meeting is not normal," an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a tweet.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 20, 2021

DC Circuit rejects Trump EPA ACE rule, opening door for more stringent regulations under Biden

The court found the Clean Power Plan replacement "hinged on a fundamental misconstruction" of the Clean Air Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 20, 2021

Hawaii finalizes utility regulation considered potential template for US power system transformation

Stakeholders agree the state's final performance-based regulation order includes opportunities and safeguards that can lead to a new regulatory paradigm.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2021

2021 Outlook: Greening natural gas while planning for service reliability

Natural gas remains essential to the U.S. energy grid despite deep decarbonization targets, experts say, as utilities and generators pilot lower emission projects, while also looking to energy storage and other options.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 15, 2021

New York to build nation's largest offshore wind program to bolster green economy

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state selected Equinor Wind US to develop two projects, which will combine for 2,490 MW, more than 20 miles off the coast of Long Island.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2021

California releases final root cause analysis of August rolling blackouts

Renewables and storage advocates said the report shows California should invest more aggressively in long-term energy storage, to ensure power from intermittent resources, such as solar, can be available during peak hours.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2021

Minnesota Power to pursue 100% carbon-free energy by 2050, nix coal by 2035

The utility's commitment means that no more coal-fired plants will operate in the state past 2035.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 14, 2021

2021 Outlook: 10 power sector trends to watch

A new administration under a new party is one of many signs that 2021 will look different for policymakers, regulators, utilities and other stakeholders, but the continuation of some older trends is expected as well.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 13, 2021