As Maine re-ups net metering, fight over solar tariffs brews in Connecticut

Connecticut last year quietly passed a law to end net metering and lawmakers are now struggling to find answers for the future of solar.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated April 4, 2019

NiSource report emphasizes safety after Massachusetts gas explosions, accelerates emissions targets

The utility said it has replaced over 430 miles of gas pipeline and plans to invest another $150 million to install shut-off devices on its low pressure systems after a series of deadly explosions in September.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 3, 2019

Federal judge blocks potential path to viability for 2.3 GW Navajo coal plant

Coal producer Peabody Energy, the Hopi Tribe and labor union United Mine Workers of America tried to add legal pressure onto the Central Arizona Project to ensure the coal-fired plant had a large buyer for its output.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 3, 2019

DTE accelerates carbon reduction efforts by 10 years

The utility announced plans to reduce carbon emissions 80% by 2040 through phasing out its coal plants earlier and expanding investment in renewables and energy efficiency.

By Robert Walton • April 2, 2019

Duke: North Carolina coal ash pond excavation order to cost up to $5B

Eight of 14 sites had been slated for excavation at a cost of $5.6 billion, but the fate of the remaining sites was unknown until Monday, when regulators ordered the final six sites excavate all their ponds.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 2, 2019

As 100% renewables goals proliferate, what role for utilities?

The momentum behind demand for renewables is growing; utilities lose if they ignore it and there is much to gain in planning ahead.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 2, 2019

PJM files update to energy market price formation rules with FERC

The proposed tariff changes from the grid operator seek to resolve the "unjust and unreasonable" design of its reserve market rules.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 1, 2019

FPL unveils plans for largest solar-powered battery in the world

The 409 MW/900 MWh storage center would be four times larger than the current record-holder: Tesla's 100-MW/129MWh system in Australia.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 28, 2019

Idaho Power targets 100% carbon free energy by 2045, joining the ranks of Xcel

The utility's announcement directly followed Consumers Energy setting a goal of reducing carbon emissions more than 90% by 2040 as clean energy economics push utilities to shift their generation portfolios.

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2019

Bipartisan nuclear bill extends federal PPAs to 40 years to push advanced reactors

Reintroduced from the last Congress, the bill has four new co-sponsors, including Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who chairs the Senate appropriations subcommittee on energy and water spending.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 28, 2019

ISO-NE files short-term fuel security plan to relieve gas constraints

The ISO's proposed Inventoried Energy Program would provide higher payments for resources that can store fuel onsite in the winters of 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.

By Gavin Bade • March 27, 2019

Electricity costs from battery storage down 76% since 2012: BNEF

Renewable energy projects featuring battery storage could challenge fossil fuels in the area of dispatchable power as the cost of electricity from lithium-ion batteries has fallen by more than two-thirds since 2012.

By HJ Mai • March 26, 2019

Puerto Rico passes 100% renewable energy bill as it aims for storm resilience

The bill, expected to be signed by Gov. Ricardo Rosselló​, would ban coal plants by 2028 while setting a 2050 target for going fully renewable.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 26, 2019

Dominion makes final decision to close 10 coal and gas-fired units in Virginia

The utility had placed the units in cold storage, but now says it will permanently close them as there is little chance they can be profitable in today's cleaner energy markets.

By Robert Walton • March 26, 2019

Letter urges European Parliament to exclude fossil fuel funds from Cohesion Policy

Nearly 50 organizations signed the letter, saying such investments would hurt European communities both environmentally and economically.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 26, 2019

Xcel CEO pushes nuclear to hit utility's 100% clean energy by 2050 goal

The economics of nuclear continue to pose a challenge for utilities, but Xcel CEO Ben Fowke highlighted the potential of smaller plants with passive safety controls that would be smaller capital bets for executives like him.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 26, 2019

The biggest numbers game in the power sector: Data analytics and the utility community of the future

Data analytics are helping utilities improve operations and customer engagement, but a decentralized transactive energy network is in the works and will require additional computing advances.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 25, 2019

EPS Ep. 10: PJM CEO Andy Ott talks reserve market reform and winter reliability

The CEO of the nation's largest wholesale power market says a new round of reforms will better compensate power plants for reliability services they offer every day.

By Gavin Bade • March 25, 2019

Mandate or not? Colorado speaker, governor debate path to 90% carbon reductions

A Colorado bill aims to decrease carbon emissions 90% below 2005 levels by 2050, following conflict within the Democratic leadership in the state over whether to mandate or guide the path to such reductions.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 25, 2019

Majority of coal plants are uneconomic to nearby wind, solar, report finds

Nearly three quarters of U.S. coal generators cost more to operate last year than replacing them with renewables within 35 miles, according to a report from Vibrant Clean Energy and Energy Innovation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 25, 2019

CAISO: Changes to RMR procurement could keep generators from gaming the system

The changes would aim to properly incentivize load serving entities and supply resources to meet the California ISO's reliability needs.

By Robert Walton • Updated March 29, 2019

Plant bailout back on tap as Perry, coal interests reportedly derail FERC nomination

After months of lying dormant, discussion about a plant bailout in Washington this week may indicate the White House is preparing another effort to save retiring generators. 

By Gavin Bade • March 20, 2019

Nevada legislators introduce 100% carbon-free bill, with provision to include all energy providers

The legislation also mandates a 50% renewable portfolio standard, which voters in the state preliminarily approved as a ballot initiative in November.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 20, 2019

As first US utility-scale offshore wind project nears approval, supply chain, permitting come into focus

Despite a lack of domestic components and a complex permitting process, Vineyard Wind is confident in its ability to move forward this summer with construction of its 800 MW project off the coast of Massachusetts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 18, 2019

Steel-for-fuel, data-for-fuel, and other good ideas for asset retirement

Balanced, collaborative and innovative stakeholder processes can help regulators align securitization of obsolete power plants with the public interest.

By Carl Linvill and Megan O’Reilly • March 18, 2019