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

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

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

Ditching PJM capacity market could cost New Jersey $386M through 2022, market monitor finds

New Jersey regulators opened a docket to investigate how the state could reach its 100% clean energy goals under the constraints of new rules in the PJM market.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 15, 2020

Markets over regulation: Driving lower emissions generation through a carbon tax

Taxing carbon emissions would increase the price discrepancy between natural gas and coal and appropriately build into the prices the cost of CO2 emissions on the economy and our society, the authors write.

By Deborah A. Carroll, Kelly A. Stevens and John W. Rowe • May 15, 2020

Walmart blasts Virginia regulator's report on pricing, biomass in Dominion's proposed 100% renewable energy tariff

Tension is mounting in Virginia's regulatory proceeding that would block Dominion customers from leaving its service for clean energy and charge a premium for 100% renewable energy.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 14, 2020

Colorado Tri-State ruling could provide co-op exit template amid rising tensions with G&T providers

Tri-State is struggling to respond to member demands for renewable energy. The conflict could have implications that drive an energy transition — or tear the electric cooperative system apart.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 13, 2020

Duke CEO decries 'assault' on natural gas as shareholders, others target company's resource plans

Shareholders grilled the utility on its long-term investment plans, questioning why the company is lagging behind others in its renewable energy buildouts.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 13, 2020

Renewables poised to outstrip coal generation in 2020 as COVID-19 accelerates transition: EIA

Coal consumption is expected to decrease nearly a quarter to 453 million short tons this year due to shrinking power consumption and natural gas prices.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 13, 2020

NRC commissioner blasts proposed emergency preparedness rules for SMRs as a 'radical departure'

Small modular reactors could be exempt from a 10-mile evacuation zone requirement under a new proposal. Could the Nuclear Regulatory Commission offer its emergency preparedness alternative to existing facilities?

By Guy Burdick • May 13, 2020

Treasury Department offers wind industry coronavirus lifeline with safe harbor extension

The renewables sector is urging Congress to enact temporary refundability for renewable energy credits and take other "commonsense measures," to aid the industry. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 28, 2020

Replace NYC peakers with renewables+storage? Plant owners say they're working on it

An environmental justice group has called for renewables and battery storage to replace fossil fuel peaking units in New York City. Generators say the transition is already underway.

By Robert Walton • May 12, 2020

NV Energy crafts solar+storage subscription plan to keep large customers in its service

The utility said the new pricing structure would only affect large energy customers subscribing to the program.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 12, 2020

Dominion's nearly $50 monthly power bill hike in Virginia is a warning for other states

The utility's monopoly status is functionally similar to the Fixed Resource Requirement offramp that some states across PJM are seeking, and could mean trouble for ratepayers, writes EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler.

By Todd Snitchler • May 11, 2020

Great River Energy to exit coal, close 1.15 GW plant, but North Dakota governor vows rescue

Gov. Doug Burgum, R, called the generation and transmission provider's decision "disappointing" and promised to "find a path forward for Coal Creek Station" to maintain the jobs and baseload power it provides.

By Robert Walton • May 11, 2020

MISO: Majority of coal is self-committed, 12% was uneconomic over 3-year period

Advocacy groups say the numbers support their arguments that running coal plants uneconomically is costing ratepayers billions of dollars.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 7, 2020

DC Circuit grills NARUC, FERC on whether Order 841 will harm state ability to regulate distribution

The fundamental question for judges is whether FERC's landmark energy storage order will harm states' ability to operate the safety and reliability of their distribution systems.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 6, 2020

New York to include small combustion turbines in annual carbon emission limits

New York is the last of the 10 states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to outline how it will meet the lower regional CO2 limits set to begin in 2021 and continue with annual reductions through 2030.

By John Funk • Updated Dec. 2, 2020

United Power sues Tri-State claiming 'civil conspiracy' to block Colorado jurisdiction over exit fees

The complaint alleges Tri-State Generation & Transmission has caused United Power hundreds of millions of dollars in damages in an effort to keep members from leaving its service.

By Robert Walton • May 6, 2020