DOE touts nuclear-powered hydrogen production projects with Xcel, Constellation, 4 other partners

The clean hydrogen demonstration projects also involve Bloom Energy, Energy Harbor, Arizona Public Service and PNW Hydrogen and will take place at four nuclear plants around the country.

By Rod Kuckro • Nov. 10, 2022

Vistra’s coal-to-battery storage projects receive FERC waiver from MISO interconnection transfer rules

The agency should reconsider “nonsensical” limits on a generator’s ability to transfer interconnection rights, which are a roadblock for new generation at power plant sites, Commissioner Allison Clements said.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 10, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

Fossil fuel, renewable trade groups explore potential paths to energy bipartisanship in a divided Congress

Energy permitting reform, increasing access to rare earth minerals and domestic clean energy manufacturing are areas for compromise, said Scott Segal, a partner at the energy-focused law firm Bracewell.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2022

Government electricity price forecast ticks higher, as consumer advocate warns there is little relief in sight

“Underlying fuel prices for natural gas and coal remain high and could go higher next month,” said National Energy Assistance Directors Association Executive Director Mark Wolfe.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2022

NiSource to sell minority share of NIPSCO subsidiary to fund $15B 5-year growth plan, 2040 net-zero goal

Natural gas will continue to play a major role in the utility’s portfolio. Some 350 MW to 400 MW of gas-peaking capacity may be necessary to meet electricity demand, company officials said.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2022

Avangrid, Eversource call for more efficiency, DR to avoid New England outages amid potential fuel crunch

ISO New England’s upcoming capacity auctions should be delayed to better reflect the region’s wintertime needs, the grid operator’s market monitor said.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 8, 2022

As FERC’s transmission proposal sparks clashes, potential solutions emerge from MISO, elsewhere

Federal transmission planning reforms must decide who builds and where, who benefits and pays, who balances state and national interests, and who enforces the rules, stakeholders said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 7, 2022

FERC interconnection reform proposal poses a barrier to Colorado joining an RTO: PUC Chair Blank

“I'm really concerned that this [proposal] would undermine our transition, and the effective working of our resource planning and acquisition process,” Colorado PUC Chair Eric Blank said.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 7, 2022

CAISO avoided outages in September heat wave – a ‘remarkable outcome’ – with 4 GW storage, conservation

The state’s gas-fired plants were “critical” during the worst of the heat wave, but some were unavailable at times, California’s grid operator said in a report.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 4, 2022

DTE Electric proposes $9B spend on 5.4 GW renewables, 760 MW storage, coal-to-gas power plant switch

The Detroit-based utility aims to exit coal in 2035, with carbon capture and small nuclear reactors as replacement options.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 4, 2022

PacifiCorp, TerraPower to assess feasibility of adding up to 5 more Natrium nuclear reactors by 2035

The companies announced plans last year to bring a Natrium demonstration plant to Kemmerer, Wyoming, where two coal units of PacifiCorp’s Naughton power plant are scheduled to retire in 2025.

By Larry Pearl • Nov. 2, 2022

AES Indiana says converting 1,052 MW of coal to gas will be $381M cheaper than renewables and storage

The utility’s resource plan includes little near-term solar and fails to take advantage of Inflation Reduction Act tax credits for “energy communities,” said Ben Inskeep, Citizens Action Coalition program director.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 2, 2022

Xcel to retire Texas coal-fired power plant early, speeding up companywide exit from coal to 2030

The Minneapolis-based utility plans to add 11,700 MW of wind and solar across its eight-state system.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 1, 2022

PG&E formally asks NRC to extend Diablo Canyon power plant license to 2030 to boost grid reliability

Diablo Canyon provides more than 8% of California’s in-state generation. The state will fund a $1.4 billion loan to PG&E to relicense the plant.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 1, 2022

PJM capacity market flaws reduced latest auction revenue by $706M, or nearly 25%: market monitor

In a change from previous reports, the PJM Interconnection’s market monitor found the last auction was competitive, driven by a revised offer seller cap rule that is being challenged in court.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 1, 2022

Dominion settles with Walmart, others on potential cost overruns for $9.8B offshore wind project

“Today’s settlement strikes a much better balance between shareholders and ratepayers that enables the project to move forward,” said Will Cleveland, a Southern Environmental Law Center senior attorney.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 31, 2022

Bringing equity to electricity service through home, power sector and regulatory innovation

Individual homes can be upgraded, community solar can help to lower bills and regulators can broaden the public engagement process to be more inclusive, consumer advocates say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2022

LS Power, Longroad Energy win contracts for Maine transmission line, 1,000-MW King Pine wind farm

The Maine Public Utilities Commission is seeking participation in the projects from Massachusetts and other states.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 27, 2022

National Grid, VEIR collaborating on superconductivity in transmission

Technology that can increase capacity on transmission rights-of-way is highly sought after as electrification increases.

By Stephen Singer • Oct. 26, 2022

FERC approves MISO reliability contract to keep Ameren Missouri’s Rush Island coal plant operating

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected the St. Louis-based utility’s request to include an extra 0.5% return on equity in its cost recovery for the plant.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 26, 2022

Tucson Electric, PNM seek FERC’s OK to end their San Juan plant ownership pact ahead of decommissioning

Farmington, New Mexico, which wants to install carbon capture equipment at the plant and keep it running, has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject the request, however.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 24, 2022

PJM capacity proposal: fuel for the ongoing market ‘crisis,’ or a needed step to limit overprocurement?

Power plant owners pressed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject the largest U.S. grid operator’s proposed capacity market rule changes while environmental and ratepayer advocates supported them.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 24, 2022

Puerto Rico’s grid threatened by FERC cap on LNG storage facility: PREPA

The liquefied natural gas limit affects operations at two power plants that supply 40% of Puerto Rico’s electricity, according to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 24, 2022

ISO-NE, ERCOT, MISO face possible capacity shortfalls in extreme winter weather: FERC

Reviving retired coal plants to address reliability and gas concerns is “fantasyland,” Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Richard Glick said. “It's not going to happen.”

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 21, 2022

PPL’s Rhode Island utility issues solicitation for up to 1,000 MW of offshore wind

A Nov. 1 bidders conference is the first step in Rhode Island Energy’s procurement, which could supply up to 30% of the Ocean State’s electricity in 2030.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 20, 2022