CenterPoint unveils CO2 emissions strategy omitting details on future of 1 GW of coal capacity

The Houston-based owner of electric and natural gas utilities plans to cut its operational emissions by 70% by 2035.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 4, 2020

CAISO urges CPUC to consider increased interim natural gas needs as part of long-term state transition

California's grid operator said intra-day and seasonal gas usage in the electric sector could rise while the state transitions to 100% clean energy.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 4, 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

Comprehensive Senate energy bill draws industry, bipartisan support, but lags on tax credits, efficiency

The bill would include 17 demonstration projects for advanced nuclear, carbon capture, long duration storage and geothermal, moving away from the Trump administration's more research-focused funding approach.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 3, 2020

Virginia legislature torn over keeping a Dominion coal plant running past 2030

The Senate and General Assembly are reconciling two versions of a clean energy package, including an amendment that would exempt a newer coal plant in Wise County from retiring in the next decade.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 3, 2020

Don't fall for utility talking points on coal ash pollution — it's dangerous and we need real solutions to clean it up

The failure of the U.S. EPA to classify coal ash as hazardous should not be used as an excuse to pretend it’s harmless. Instead, it should be remembered as the success of a massive utility lobbying complex, the authors write.

By Nelson Brooke​, Casi Callaway​, Justinn Overton​ and Stephen Stetson​ • March 2, 2020

Green hydrogen gets real as utility business models and delivery solutions emerge

The fuel may be the only way to meet power system needs in zero emissions scenarios and the market signals to produce and use it are finally clear.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2020

NYC storage 'most adversely impacted' by FERC orders: NYISO CEO

Nuclear zero emissions credits and new renewable energy resource credits upstate will not face similar hurdles to market participation, said Richard Dewey, CEO of the grid operator.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 28, 2020

'Beyond frustating' Senate dispute stalls bipartisan energy legislation

Adoption of the comprehensive package was disrupted over an amendment that would limit the use of hydrofluorocarbons.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 10, 2020

Indiana Senate passes controversial coal bill after removing fuel oversupply provision

The latest iteration removed language that would have allowed utilities to store up to 90 days of fuel supply on site and shortens the sunset period. It now heads to conference committee, where stakeholders warn it could be reverted to its original version.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 5, 2020

Spending more on renewables 'inappropriate,' as technology is already viable: DOE Secretary

Dan Brouillette defended President Donald Trump's proposed cuts to energy efficiency and renewables to a House committee as a pivot toward emerging technologies that have not yet reached market maturity, such as energy storage.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 28, 2020

CPUC proposes optimal 2030 system portfolio tripling battery storage, more than doubling solar

The California Public Utilities Commission on Friday proposed a 46 million metric ton greenhouse gas emissions target for the electric sector in 2030.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 27, 2020

'Nobody's really for this bill, so why does it keep moving?': Indiana coal bill hits state Senate today

House Bill 1414 has drawn a diverse coalition of business and energy stakeholder opposition. After passing the House earlier this month, it's headed to the Senate today.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 27, 2020

As Puget Sound Energy moves to sell Colstrip share, critics say Northwestern desperate to keep coal plant online

The Montana utility saw a massive profit from the plant in 2008, and now will do anything to keep the facility in its ratebase, say environmentalists.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 26, 2020

Consumers Energy talks tree-planting, carbon capture, innovation with net zero carbon 2040 target

The Michigan-based utility set a "first-in-the-nation" net zero emissions goal to make up for the emissions of two gas units that will remain open past 2040.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 26, 2020

State of the Electric Utility 2020

Renewables and sustainability are top priorities for utilities, but there is room for improvement on cybersecurity, climate resilience and more, Utility Dive's seventh annual report finds.​

By Nami Sumida • Feb. 26, 2020

FERC takes steps to modernize PURPA, but will it do more harm than good?

Proposed changes to the funding mechanics for Qualified Facilities under the law could negate or reverse the cost reductions the renewable energy sector has benefited from in the past few years.

By Tanya M. Larrabee • Feb. 25, 2020

Final EPA coal ash proposal could allow some ponds to go unlined, despite DC Circuit ruling

The agency found its latest proposal could save utilities between $41 million and $138 million per year, siding with industry to give more "flexibility" on what kind of liners adequately protect human health and groundwater.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 24, 2020

Cap coal ash in place? Duke and others have learned better

Forward-thinking utilities recognize that their communities and increasingly-stringent standards require more than leaving coal ash in polluting pits and have moved their coal ash to dry lined storage, the author writes.

By Frank Holleman • Feb. 24, 2020

Duke's $10B coal ash cleanup breaks precedents and could cost North Carolinians much more

What is happening with Duke Energy in North Carolina is a major shift in the way the utility industry has been regulated and overseen for the last several decades.

By Stan Wise • Feb. 24, 2020

FERC deals blow to New York renewable, storage projects, adding hurdles to NYISO capacity market

The commission's Feb. 20 orders join actions in PJM and ISO New England that "go after clean energy policies," Commissioner Richard Glick said after announcing his dissents.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 21, 2020

Michigan finds 'fundamental flaws' in DTE's resource plan, directs utility to pursue renewables

DTE wants to operate its Belle River coal plant until 2030, but regulators directed the utility to file a renewable energy plan with alternative generation options, or see the plan rejected.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 21, 2020

American Electric Power 'feeds the beast' of earnings growth with more renewable capital projects

The former coal plant giant is looking for growth in renewable energy projects and expects all or some of its 1,485 MW North Central Wind project in Oklahoma, now in regulatory limbo, to move forward.

By Matthew Bandyk • Feb. 21, 2020

Southern Company decreases coal burn, moves closer to completing Vogtle nuclear project

Behind schedule and billions over budget, the first of two new nuclear units at Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle could be online in less than two years, executives said Thursday.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 20, 2020

Largest New England coal plant clears ISO-NE capacity auction, will stay online until 2024

Critics say the plant, which runs at just 10% of its capacity from a decade ago, is a sign the auction favors incumbent generators over new, clean resources.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 20, 2020

Jeff Bezos commits $10B to climate. How should he spend it?

The funding announcement "dwarfs other philanthropy in this realm," and could go toward anything from an amplified Beyond Carbon campaign to a mass electric vehicle rollout, stakeholders said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 19, 2020