NRC hints at upcoming early site determination for TVA advanced nuclear project

The Tennessee Valley Authority has not determined whether it will move ahead with the project but wants the option to locate small modular reactors at the Clinch River Site.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2019

Top Arizona regulator spurs retail choice progress, pushes for rule drafting

The Arizona Corporation Commission had closed its retail electric competition docket in 2013, following the opposition of Arizona Public Service.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 16, 2019

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

ERCOT calls 2 energy emergencies in one week, 3rd in 5 years

Warm temperatures all week meant Texas generators ran overtime to meet cooling demand, ultimately creating more unplanned outages.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2019

Everyone loves a guaranteed discount: New financing approach drives community solar growth

Innovations are transforming community solar nationwide, but the technology is also booming in Florida where, despite utilities not using discounts to spur development​, FPL is planning the world's largest community solar project.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 15, 2019

ERCOT reserves drop below 2,300 MW, forcing Texas grid to call for energy emergency

Demand sent prices soaring and forced the grid operator to issue the emergency alert for the first time in more than five years.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2019

Renewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility

New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019

Consumers Energy agrees to clear PURPA queue, add 584 MW renewables by 2023

Michigan regulators approved the settlement, which will address over 3 GW of qualifying facilities waiting to interconnect.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Sept. 11, 2019

New York initiative aims to eliminate conflicts between resource adequacy, clean energy goals

The Public Service Commission wants to ensure available capacity products align with the state's renewable energy and emission reduction goals, rather than unwittingly keeping afloat older and dirtier resources.

By Robert Walton • Updated Aug. 13, 2019

Hollywood's next star could be virtual power plants as LADWP closes out natural gas

Power plant-scale VPPs are not in operation but pilots and proposals are about to get big tests.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2019

First Energy Solutions accelerates closure of Pennsylvania's largest coal plant

The company says Bruce Mansfield Unit 3 is no longer economical and will be shut down in early November.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 13, 2019

EPA moves to streamline permitting for power plant expansions, gas pipelines

One of the agency's actions aims to guarantee developers will avoid triggering New Source Review permitting if one portion of their project increases emissions, as long as those emissions are offset by a larger decrease in other parts of the project.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 12, 2019

Vineyard Wind shareholders commit to Mass. offshore wind project despite federal delays

With the wind investment tax credit set to sunset at the end of this year, the 800-MW project's financing could be jeopardized if the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management does not speed up its final environmental impact study.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Aug. 13, 2019

Seattle mayor proposes heating oil tax to push electrification

The 24 cents-per-gallon tax would cover rebates and grants to help 3,000 homes transition to electric power.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 9, 2019

Coal, nuclear could see boost in New England this winter as new tariff goes into effect

The tariff will compensate power plants such as nuclear, coal-fired and oil-fired generation, but excludes resources such as offshore wind, which the grid operator has credited for providing significant value during cold snaps.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Aug. 12, 2019

New Mexico governor wants to upend PRC as regulators skirt clean energy law

Michelle Lujan Grisham intends to speed up a legislative decision that would restructure the state's regulatory body as tensions mount over implementing New Mexico's comprehensive Energy Transition Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 8, 2019

Los Angeles County to go carbon neutral by 2050

The OurCounty plan calls for eliminating fossil fuel production and transitiioing the workforce toward clean energy.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 8, 2019

Virginia rejects Dominion bid to recover environmental spending on coal units slated for shutdown

The State Corporation Commission said the $18.4 million Dominion spent on Chesterfield units 3 and 4 was not a reasonable investment, but approved a $286.8 million rate rider for enviromental costs at several other coal units.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 7, 2019

As co-ops struggle with stranded fossil fuel assets, Tri-State may finally embrace the energy transition

"Our goal is a transition that lowers rates. It might be hard – but it might be beautiful," the G&T's new CEO told Utility Dive.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 7, 2019

Georgia Power coal ash plan mirrors conditions that led to Duke spills: Report

Three of the utility's coal ash disposal sites sit on floodplains and another buries a creek in 97 feet of coal ash.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 6, 2019

Bipartisan Senate support for nuclear grows with $7.5B bill to extend life of current fleet

The bill is a continuation of the Senate's focus on supporting new nuclear technologies while improving the economic viability of the current fleet.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 5, 2019

California grid operator asks FERC for broader authority to maintain system reliability

The California ISO has asked federal regulators for the authority to issue reliability-must-run designations for a range of needs, beyond the local capacity needs the program typically serves.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 5, 2019

Dominion invests $1.1B in offshore wind, watches Northeast developments

The utility's non-regulated generation business is developing two turbines off the coast of Virginia, with plans to develop more as prices drop.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 5, 2019

Ohio nuclear and coal bailout is a loss for nuclear power and the climate

HB6, which links nuclear power to coal and not renewables, risks undermining the burgeoning bipartisan consensus that nuclear power will play a crucial role in tackling climate change, while attracting to nuclear the ire usually reserved for coal.

By Randolph Bell • Aug. 5, 2019

Dominion's 100% renewables tariff could kill Virginia's retail choice ambitions

Competitive retail providers are fighting for customers in the state, alongside a growing number of displeased ratepayers.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 5, 2019

Colorado regulators propose rules governing Tri-State resource planning

Tri-State Generation & Transmission is moving to become federally regulated, but says it will participate in the Colorado rulemaking process.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 5, 2019