NextEra mulls bid for Evergy amid market volatility, may face competing offers from AEP, Ameren: Report

NextEra continues to show interest in purchasing an electric utility after JEA's board of directors in 2019 rejected its bid and several others to buy the municipal utility.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 8, 2020

Xcel sells 720 MW gas plant less than 3 months after purchasing through unregulated subsidiary

The company's rapid turnaround is in response to shareholders who preferred the utility remain fully regulated.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 7, 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

Dominion prepares to file Virginia IRP without natural gas buildout

The utility reacted to new clean energy state laws by renouncing plans to build out gas-fired and nuclear generation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 6, 2020

Pelosi steps back on infrastructure push as renewables industry vies for aid

Clean energy advocates say there are still avenues for power sector relief from the federal government, including critical project deadline extensions.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 6, 2020

BlackRock, Morgan Stanley to utilities: Tackle climate-related risks or lose market value

Analyst research shows utilities that address climate-related physical and transition risks earn higher valuations from investors.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2020

Con Edison reaches 170 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths, as risks rise for utility workers

Daily numbers continue climbing for the utility whose workforce serves New York City, the area that faces the largest outbreak of the novel coronavirus. U.S. utility workers may be at risk of contracting the virus from continued customer interactions.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 3, 2020

California proposes PG&E, SCE as central procurement agencies, but CCAs have doubts

The system would help create an effective portfolio of local resources, reduce the need for backstop procurement and allocate costs equitably, the CPUC said.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 1, 2020

When will the US get 1 GW of offshore wind on the grid?

Two analyses foresee the U.S. reaching the offshore wind milestone by 2024, but disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic and continued federal inaction on permitting could create delays.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 31, 2020

Nuclear regulators ease some power reactor regs in response to COVID-19

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued guidance for plant operators on how to safely operate with workforces reduced by the coronavirus.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 31, 2020

New Jersey looks to exit PJM capacity market, worried MOPR will impede 100% carbon-free goals

New Jersey officials fear the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's expanded application of its Minimum Offer Price Rule will impede the state's ability to utilize more clean energy.

By Robert Walton • March 31, 2020

EPA gives power plants, regulated entities pollution compliance flexibility, citing COVID-19 concerns

Environmentalists worry the new policy will give power facilities "an open license to pollute."

By Catherine Morehouse • March 30, 2020

Colorado expedites Tri-State member exit charge case, as power supplier gets 'split decision' on FERC jurisdiction

The decision allows the Colorado PUC to determine fees required for La Plata Electric Association and United Energy to exit Tri-State Generation and Transmission's service.

By Robert Walton • March 27, 2020

How COVID-19 is impacting 5 state energy legislation efforts

At least 22 states have delayed legislative sessions and most others are shifting priorities toward the pandemic. That means state energy progress will likely take a hit this session, stakeholders say.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 26, 2020

Coronavirus could disrupt normal refueling practices for nuclear facilities as staffing concerns grow

Across the U.S., nuclear sites need to accommodate an influx of workers during the spring for cyclical refueling procedures, which will be difficult based on public health restrictions put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 26, 2020

Cheapest is not always best: Concentrated solar power could beat lower price PV with new market rules

With its zero-emissions mandate, California will need a diversity of renewable resources along with CSP, "particularly because of its long duration storage" potential, the state's Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild said.​

By Herman K. Trabish • March 26, 2020

Nearly $2T stimulus package omits direct renewable sector aid after Trump, McConnell opposition

President Donald Trump signed the latest stimulus package into law Friday. Power sector leaders see broad benefits stemming from the bill, including small business and unemployment loans.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 30, 2020

Competitive Power Ventures gas plant uses new GE combustion system to cut fuel costs with ethane blend

CPV says its 1,050 MW Fairview natural gas-fired power plant can run on a cheaper fuel mix without impacting operational efficiency or increasing emissions.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 24, 2020

Tracking the impacts of coronavirus on the US power sector

Oct. 8: How Austin Energy simultaneously managed COVID-19 and a new carbon price adder; Public-private partnerships hold the key to a clean energy future post-COVID

By Nami Sumida • Updated Oct. 8, 2020

18 Senate Democrats call on Congress to include renewables in stalled stimulus package

A Friday letter recommends tax credit extensions or an elimination of the tax credit phase-out, direct payment, refunds, or safe harbor extensions, among other options.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 23, 2020

PG&E, SCE abandon big microgrid plans for temporary emergency measures as wildfire season nears

Regulators' push to implement a law requiring microgrid rollouts is being frustrated by the costs of traditional generation and clean energy complexities.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 23, 2020

Unemployment poised to skyrocket, creating urgent need to spur renewables: Obama veteran of 2008 financial crisis

Power sector leaders are pushing Congress to address hits to the industry, as a former Obama transition team member says renewables and transmission buildouts could be the first jobs to start hiring.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 20, 2020

PJM MOPR compliance plan allays renewable sector concerns of being shut out of capacity auctions

The grid operator's long-awaited compliance filing is a "phenomenal" attempt to minimize the most contentious aspects of the federal order, according to an industry lawyer.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 19, 2020

Oklo submits first advanced reactor license application in US as NRC moves to streamline reviews

Advanced reactors purport to be the "next generation" of nuclear that can fix the problems facing the current industry, but first they need to go through a lengthy regulatory process.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 18, 2020

DOE nixes automatic confidentiality designations for utilities, seen by NGOs as potential boost for coal and nuclear

"You could see a pathway for DOE using this information to prohibit coal or nuclear plants from closing and limiting the public's ability to engage in that decision making process," a clean energy advocate said.

By Robert Walton • March 18, 2020

A red state template for 100% renewables? Utah bill unites Rocky Mountain Power, cities and activists

An 80% Republican legislature has approved HB 411, which will move more than a third of the state’s electricity load to 100% renewables by 2030.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2020