Senate targets nuclear, carbon capture support as pressure mounts for Republican climate response

While the Republican-led Senate is prioritizing baseload power generation and technologies that would clean up coal plants, both chambers are supporting energy storage.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 24, 2019

Carbon capture advocates, lawmakers call for effective 45Q tax credit implementation

Bipartisan legislation expanding the incentive for carbon capture technology became law more than a year ago, but so far companies have been unable to claim it.

By Robert Walton • May 22, 2019

Senators launch bipartisan initiative on long term solutions to expiring energy tax credits

Finance Committee task forces are expected to produce options by the end of June that can be enacted this year while clean energy advocates are pushing to also give storage access to tax credits.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 21, 2019

Want to know if California can make zero emissions by 2045? Here's what to watch

To reach a zero emissions economy, California needs to eliminate natural gas by regionalizing the Western grid and coordinating local and state system planning.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 21, 2019

Xcel to close 2 coal plants, add 3 GW solar in settlement to acquire Mankato gas plant

The settlement over the purchase of a 720 MW natural gas plant was reached before the utility released its 2020-2034 draft resource plan, which includes extending operation of the Monticello nuclear plant through 2040.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 20, 2019

New Hampshire Gov Sununu vetoes bill that would quintuple net metering cap

Legislators passed a bill in May to increase the cap from 1 MW to 5 MW and will now need to pass the bill by a two-thirds margin, again, to override the governor's veto.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated June 4, 2019

DOE looking to save ailing Colstrip plant, fossil fuel chief tells Senate

"We're happy to work with Colstrip and see what opportunities there are to keep it open," Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy at the Department of Energy Steven Winberg told Sen. Steve Daines, R-MT.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 17, 2019

Solar, wind industries urge feds to smooth deployment kinks

Transmission, soft cost reductions and greater resource efficiency require federal investment to maximize technology growth, industry leaders told the House Subcommittee on Energy Wednesday.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 16, 2019

How arcane accounting rules could help save coal-heavy utilities

How fast utilities can refinance or securitize their coal assets (already underway in multiple states), and how much customers pay, depends heavily on depreciation.

By Ron Lehr • May 15, 2019

Florida approves TECO solar energy tariff, increasing access to green energy

As TECO works to develop the largest percentage of solar power of any Florida utility, its customers will be able to subscribe for a $0.063 per kWh charge to access 17.5 MW of solar.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 15, 2019

OG&E: Coal, cogen plant acquisitions to save customers millions by ending PURPA contracts

State regulators have approved Oklahoma Gas & Electric's application to purchase the 360 MW AES Shady Point plant near Poteau, Oklahoma, and the 146 MW Oklahoma Cogeneration facility in Oklahoma City.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2019

'Solar access' bill limits community solar potential in Nevada, critics warn

The bill limits solar providers outside the state's monopoly utility NV Energy from developing programs and doesn't require bill savings for all participants.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated June 5, 2019

Bankruptcies rack up in coal sector as past reserve investments catch up with industry

Cloud Peak Energy, which supplies almost 60 million tons of coal to utilities across the country, filed for bankruptcy Friday after being one of the last remaining coal companies in the country to have held on to its debt.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 14, 2019

Tech giants pressure Dominion for more storage, renewables, less gas in Virginia

The utility's latest IRP calls for new natural gas capacity due to the increased load expected from data centers, leading to complaints from Microsoft, Apple and other companies with green sustainability goals.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 14, 2019

Anbaric to flip Massachusetts coal plant site into offshore wind facility with 400 MW storage

The former Brayton plant site, symbolic of the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, will also have a 1,200 MW high-voltage direct current converter.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 14, 2019

Department of Energy to award $79M for bioenergy research and development

Projects relating to "urban and suburban wastes," "plastics in the circular carbon economy" and "rethink[ing] anaerobic digestion" are among multiple areas of interest for the new federal funding.

By Cody Ellis • May 13, 2019

South Carolina unanimously passes solar bill to lift 2% net metering cap

The bill addresses a number of other solar development barriers as well, including PURPA and resource planning reform.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 10, 2019

New York to phase out coal by 2020 through strict emissions regulations

The state is the first to approve a regulatory phaseout of coal-fired power plants, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2019

NERC to analyze first potential cyberattack on US grid

The nonprofit has no information suggesting malicious intent behind the loss of visibility to a utility control system that occurred in early March and impacted electrical system operations in California, Utah and Wyoming.

By HJ Mai • May 10, 2019

Florida's solar turnaround sparks concerns over limits on community projects

Many are asking how big this boom will get, but a better question may be how this growth will evolve as its impact sparks responses by utilities, solar developers and policymakers.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 9, 2019

Republicans show increasing appetite for climate action, despite opposition to Paris accord bill

GOP legislators are increasingly calling for measures to address climate change, but through private sector innovation, as opposed to carbon taxes, mandates or sweeping Green New Deal-style policies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 9, 2019

South Carolina regulators slash Duke Energy Progress rate hikes, cut $333M coal ash recovery

The Public Service Commission adopted a similar motion reducing another Duke subsidiary's proposed rate hike by 54%, signaling the impact of stakeholders that rallied to oppose the increases.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 9, 2019

Texas grid operator braces for tight supply-demand balance this summer

ERCOT says it continues to see "above-normal growth" in electric demand on its system, largely due to new industrial load on the coast and the oil and gas industry in the west.

By Robert Walton • May 9, 2019

Three Mile Island to close after bailout bill stalls in Pennsylvania legislature

The plant gained international fame when a partial nuclear meltdown permanently shut down Unit 2 in 1979. Economic competition is now driving Unit 1 to close, despite 15 years left on its operating license.

By HJ Mai • May 9, 2019

EPS Ep. 12: An on-the-ground account of coal ash pollution in Texas

The most contaminated coal ash site in the country offers a firsthand look at the waste's impact on land and where that leaves federal regulations.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 8, 2019