New waste-to-hydrogen processes could contribute to a carbon negative future

With the rise in production and sales of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and power generators, the technology is entering a new maturation point that could encompass both mobile and stationary storage options, the author writes.

By Jean-Louis Kindler • June 3, 2020

Outdated NEPA needs modernizing. Just ask Warren Buffett

As the U.S. economy prepares to recover from the current crisis, important job and revenue-creating proposals like the 1,000 mile Gateway West transmission project don’t need to languish in a regulatory morass, the author writes.

By Paul Griffin • June 3, 2020

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

Massachusetts hopes 'localized approach' to GHG inventory can spread

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council rolled out tools for local communities to collect and track emissions data, something officials believe could be replicated in other regions.

By Chris Teale • June 2, 2020

Ex-FERC commissioners debate solutions to coal self-committments said to cost millions

Former FERC Commissioner Suedeen Kelly says the issue will have to be resolved at the state level, while former Chair Jon Wellinghoff argues such market distortions should be addressed by FERC.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 1, 2020

IRS clarifies carbon capture tax credit, but more policies needed to drive deployment, analysts say

Despite the proposed safety guidelines for the storage and utilization of captured carbon dioxide, some analysts say more incentives are needed for utilities to consider the new technology.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 1, 2020

LCOE is not the metric you think it is

The levelized cost of energy formulation overprices solar energy by 27%  and wind energy bu 18% as compared to natural gas-based power, the author says in calling for a new way to compare generation options. 

By James Loewen • May 28, 2020

EPA backtracks on fish-protecting requirements in long-delayed Merrimack coal plant permit

The permit has not been updated since 1992, and environmentalists say the agency's proposal is "a complete 180" from the permit proposed in 2011, which would have required the plant to install cooling towers.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 28, 2020

24 Congressional Democrats urge FERC to reject net metering overhaul

The proposal is an affront to states' rights as well as a threat to distributed energy compensation policies, senators and representatives wrote.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 28, 2020

Alliant coal plant could cost Wisconsin customers $257M by 2030, report says

One analyst notes the report does not take into account potential customer recovery of stranded costs, but the group says building out a new clean energy portfolio would still be cheaper than operating existing coal by 2026.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 27, 2020

Murkowski, Collins, Tillis urge Treasury to extend aid to solar industry

The Republican senators asked Secretary Steven Mnuchin to extend safe harbor requirements for the "start of construction" on renewables projects, and modify the "physical work test" rule to ensure eligibility for tax credits.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 26, 2020

Alliant Energy to retire 380 MW coal-fired unit said to have lost millions with uneconomic scheduling

The unit lost $8.3 million in net energy market revenues in 2016 alone, as well as millions more in subsequent years, according to a report last fall by the Sierra Club.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 26, 2020

Got to have a code: Co-ops, The Wire's Omar Little, and the struggle to exit G&T providers

HBO's The Wire and rural electric cooperatives are rarely mentioned in the same breath, but both prestige dystopian television show characters and cooperatives purport to live by a code, the authors write.

By Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • May 22, 2020

State-federal tension 'at an all time high' between MOPR, net metering attack, says head Maryland regulator

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Neil Chatterjee, meanwhile, urged states to give the MOPR time.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 22, 2020

FERC approves PJM reserve overhaul with $2B price tag, critics say move ignores overcapacity

"We are starting to see evidence that the future of PJM as we know it is at stake ... no matter how many times the chairman denies it,” Commissioner Richard Glick said in his dissent.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 21, 2020

Developer plans to build hydrogen plant that runs on waste in Southern California

The plant will process 40,000 tons of waste every year to produce up to 3.8 million kilograms of hydrogen, according to SGH2 Energy.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 21, 2020

Exelon, PSEG urge New Jersey to adopt FRR alternative to PJM, as competitive providers push for CASPR

Utilities and competitive suppliers have expressed concern that FERC's Minimum Offer Price Rule would harm coastal states' nascent offshore wind industry, but have competing proposals over how to save it.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 21, 2020

As utilities tackle immediate COVID-19 impacts, analysts stress need to focus beyond the pandemic

Power systems across the country need new approaches for today's shifting loads, but focusing on recovery and tomorrow’s resources can be even better, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 20, 2020

D.C. Circuit gives new life to Maryland drive to tighten pollution limits for upwind coal plants

The Tuesday ruling could not only help Maryland, but other states seeking remedies to meet federal ozone standards as well.

By Larry Pearl • May 20, 2020

Colorado ALJ clears way for Tri-State exit fee determinations

Some Tri-State Generation and Transmission members want to exit its service in search of a cleaner and cheaper generation mix, but new analysis from Rocky Mountain Institute indicates the utility is already transitioning away from coal.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2020

PJM, retail suppliers scrambling to appease MOPR concerns amid state threats to exit capacity market

Critical stakeholders are signaling they may be willing to negotiate as Maryland, New Jersey and others are looking for a way out of the capacity market.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 20, 2020

PJM MOPR could cost market consumers up to $2.6B annually, report finds

While stakeholders widely agree that the next auction will likely not lead to cost increases, a recent report finds long-term impacts could cost up to $24 billion over the next nine years.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 19, 2020

Shrinking fossil fuel demand could hit California's cap-and-trade auction, experts say

A report from the California Energy Commission found gasoline, jet fuel and diesel production in the state dropped nearly 48%, 68.3% and 33.2%, respectively, from mid-March to the end of April.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 18, 2020

Maryland lawmakers struggle to mitigate MOPR harm to offshore wind with shortened legislative session

Eighteen legislators filed joint comments with FERC on Friday and over 60 are calling on state regulators to provide developers with a contingency auction for offshore wind.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 18, 2020

DOE targets operational advanced reactors as soon as 2025, launches $230M program

With a growing number of traditional nuclear power plants closing, advocates are looking to a new generation of reactors to propel the industry and help meet ambitious carbon reduction goals.

By Larry Pearl • May 15, 2020

Texas coal generator may restart to meet projected record summer demand

Despite the load impacts of COVID-19, the grid operator for most of Texas expects record electricity demand this summer driven by heat.   

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2020