Georgia approves almost $1.8B in rate hikes to cover coal ash clean up

Regulators failed to determine whether the utility's spending was prudent on a clean-up plan that lacks detail, according to environmentalists.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 18, 2019

House foregoes new tax credits for storage, offshore wind as it approves $1.4T spending bill

The Senate passed the spending bills on Thursday, which included a one-year tax credit extension for onshore wind, and incentives for geothermal, biodiesel and Native American-owned coal plants.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Dec. 20, 2019

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

Investigations of ComEd, Exelon lobbying threaten Illinois energy transition

Lawmakers and clean energy advocates vow to continue fighting for the state's landmark clean energy bill despite a "black cloud of corruption."

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2019

Massachusetts AG Healey stokes grassroots effort for clean energy market rules in ISO-NE

The office, which also acts as the state's ratepayer advocate, endeavors to grow public awareness of the grid operator amid growing tensions between Massachusetts' clean energy goals and market policies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Dec. 13, 2019

National Petroleum Council calls for sharp increase in carbon capture subsidies

A new report ordered by former Energy Secretary Rick Perry concludes widespread deployment of carbon capture technology is "essential" to maintaining a reliable electric grid while also combating climate change.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2019

Dominion extends poop power push with $200M Vanguard Renewables partnership

The five projects trap methane from cow manure to create renewable natural gas offer "a new way to improve on farm economics."

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 13, 2019

Natural gas plant replacing Los Angeles coal power to be 100% hydrogen by 2045: LADWP

The plant would be the first of its kind to generate all hydrogen through electrolysis, or "green hydrogen."

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 12, 2019

Squirrels, cyberattacks, age and climate: Obama DOE official reviews top risks to US grid

While there is much attention on cyber threats and other high profile vulnerabilities, the more mundane, day-to-day risks are also very important, John MacWilliams, a former chief risk officer at DOE, said Wednesday.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 12, 2019

NorthWestern Energy unveils plan to buy 25% of Colstrip coal unit for $1

Utility officials noted that building a gas-fired plant with the same capacity could cost about $240 million while wind + storage "could cost several billion dollars and still not provide equivalent capacity."

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2019

Self-committing coal suppressing Southwest Power Pool prices by $2/MWh, market monitor concludes

Wind and natural gas dominate market-based dispatches in SPP, while coal was the main culprit distorting the market, consistent with clean energy groups' findings in other power markets.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 11, 2019

Road to 100: How four cities are leading the renewables revolution

Utility Dive visited four U.S. cities powered by 100% renewables, getting local insights on the political will and economic drivers that got them there.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 10, 2019

Road to 100: How Western water rights and local billionaires complicated Aspen's renewables path

Controversy over hydropower in the Mountain West politicized the city's 100% renewables goal, bringing in a wave of opposition.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 10, 2019

New Jersey lowers price utilities pay for solar as it phases out credit program

Regulators set up a "bridge" program as the state draws down its solar credits that cap the price utilities pay for solar power. Advocates fear those caps will hinder development.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 10, 2019

Indianapolis Power & Light announces early retirement for 2 coal units, but NGOs eye bigger target

The utility said Monday it will retire units 1 and 2 at its St. Petersburg plant, but the Sierra Club is pushing for the closure of the much bigger units 3 and 4, noting Indianapolis' renewable energy goals.

By Matthew Bandyk • Dec. 10, 2019

The Utility Dive Awards for 2019

The annual awards highlight the biggest trends in innovation in the electric utility sector: from penciling out electrification efforts to pioneering new revenue streams for distributed resources.

Dec. 9, 2019

Project of the Year: Soleil Lofts solar+storage development

The virtual power plant outside of Salt Lake City underscores the role of utility involvement in emerging grid products.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2019

Executive of the Year: Mary Powell, Green Mountain Power

Powell is leaving her post at the end of the year, but created a new playbook for the investor-owned utility to continue to prioritize customer choice.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 9, 2019

ERCOT sees brighter days ahead on system reserves despite rising peak demand

The grid operator for most of Texas says it is experiencing above-normal growth in peak electricity demand, but should head into next summer with sufficient resources to keep the lights on.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 6, 2019

FPL's Turkey Point first US nuclear plant to get license out to 80 years

Federal regulators extended the approved lifespan of two of the Florida facility's units until 2052 and 2053.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Dec. 6, 2019

Dominion suspends plan to add 1.5 GW of peaking capacity as Virginia faces gas glut

The utility's decision follows reporting that it has over-forecast demand for years in order to justify natural gas additions.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 5, 2019

Is FERC overstepping its authority and hurting renewables? States, power groups question PURPA plan

Diverse stakeholders said the commission's proposal would leave small facilities in unregulated markets at a disadvantage, while several major utilities backed their trade group in supporting the changes.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 5, 2019

Road to 100: How a demolished Kansas town became a model of DOE renewables resilience

The destruction wrought by a 2007 tornado gave the federal government an opportunity to build up a fully renewable town in a conservative part of the country.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 4, 2019

Renewables, legal groups challenge FERC's authority to upend PURPA

Federal regulators are proposing changes to the law for the first time since 2006. Some groups argue the move falls outside the commission's authority and will harm renewables in markets monopolized by utilities.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 4, 2019

In a first, natural gas group supports carbon pricing even if members 'don't get off scot-free'

BP, Shell and several members of the Natural Gas Supply Association previously supported a carbon tax, prompting a new pledge from the group, though some environmental groups criticized the lack of details.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 4, 2019

Regulators should 'ask tough questions about carbon capture' before closing coal: Wyoming PSC Chair

Wyoming is in a uniquely precarious position as the country's top coal producer. Its head utility regulator says ratemaking should encourage utilities to profit from carbon capture and utilization outside their rate base.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 3, 2019