Efforts to save largest Western US coal plant stall; December decommissioning on track

Navajo Generating Station's owners say the latest prospective buyer, the Navajo Transitional Energy Company, is unable to provide the necessary assurances to protect the plant's stakeholders in the event of a sale.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2019

'Virtually all' coal plants monitoring groundwater show ash pollution, report finds

The first comprehensive analysis of utility groundwater reports — representing three quarters of the U.S. coal fleet — reveals a widespread environmental and public health issue.

By Gavin Bade • March 4, 2019

New Brunswick Power, Florida developer partner to build first hydrogen-powered electric grid

The Canadian utility and Joi Scientific are looking to build a prototype in two to three years that could generate 10-100 MW, with the goal to make New Brunswick Power an "emissions-free utility."

By Catherine Morehouse • March 1, 2019

New York moves to phase out older peaking plants as it targets 100% clean energy

A new state proposal would set lower thresholds for emissions of nitrogen oxides, and allow plant owners to meet the new standards in part by installing renewable or batteries.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2019

Business, enviro groups see strong prospects for Illinois 100% clean energy bill

Analysts consider energy efficiency essential to achieving a 100% renewables by 2050 goal, and the bill recommends extending the timeline for such energy saving programs to maximize benefits.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 1, 2019

Sen. Inhofe: Carbon capture hearing is 'first official recognition' that US needs fossil fuel generation

The senator on Wednesday co-sponsored the carbon capture infrastructure build out bill, the USE IT Act, reintroduced Feb. 7 after unanimous approval last year by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 28, 2019

EPA enforcement shift will allow coal plants to pollute more, former air official says

EPA's decision to de-prioritize enforcement of the New Source Review standards will allow plants to make upgrades without oversight, a former director of the agency's Air Enforcement Division told Congress.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 27, 2019

TVA staff sees no need to add solar capacity until 2023

"There was a strategy in the draft IRP to promote efficient load shape and it emphasized energy efficiency, demand response, electrification and storage," said Jane Elliott, part of TVA's enterprise planning group.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 27, 2019

Possible reprieve for New Mexico coal plant is a surprise for PNM

The San Juan Generating Station is slated for shutdown in 2022, but the city of Farmington, New Mexico, has reached an "initial agreement" with a private holding company to keep it operating.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2019

SEU 2019 survey: Uncertainty mounts in the clean energy transition

Utilities are still moving to a cleaner, more distributed power system, but our annual survey shows they are increasingly unsure about what types of regulation and market structures they want to foster the transition.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 26, 2019

New Orleans finalizes $5M Entergy fine, buoying utility's gas plant plans

The fine is the largest ever imposed by the city — a response to the utility's role in paying actors to support a proposed power plant at local hearings — but the settlement allows plans for the gas plant to move forward.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2019

Alabama Power says federal regulations forcing it to close century-old coal plant

The utility said it could cost $300 million to comply with new environmental mandates to continue operating Gorgas' three coal-fired generating units — money it is not willing to spend.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2019

DTE, Consumers push natural gas redundancy check in fire-driven Michigan energy review

A January fire at the Ray Natural Gas Compressor Station prompted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to order a review of the supply, engineering and deliverability of natural gas, electricity and propane systems.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 21, 2019

APS to install 850 MW of storage, 100 MW of solar in major clean energy buy

The utility also signed a seven-year contract for natural gas peaking capacity, which it hopes will be replaced by renewables and storage in the mid 2020s. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 21, 2019

EPA: Carbon emissions from power plants rose in 2018 amid higher electricity demand

The report is the second in as many months to forecast a reversal of years of emissions cuts from the U.S. power sector.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 21, 2019

Supreme Court Clean Water Act case could have big impact on coal ash disposal

A case, which the High Court accepted Monday, regards whether pollution that travels through groundwater is subject to the federal law — a key issue for utilities operating coal ash facilities.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 20, 2019

Senate bill targets significant savings from gas demand response amid supply challenges

The legislation, introduced by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Angus King, I-Maine, includes $10 million for pilot programs aimed at reducing market price volatility.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2019

FERC reasserts authority over PG&E contracts in bankruptcy court filing

PG&E may want to exit older renewable energy contracts as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding, but FERC argued it must separately win approval from the agency to alter their terms.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 19, 2019

Developer eyes world's largest solar+storage facility for Texas

Listed in the ERCOT interconnection report, the project would combine 495 MW of solar with 495 MW of energy storage in 2021, if completed.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 19, 2019

PJM to ask FERC to invalidate its energy market rules after stakeholder impasse

The grid operator's controversial five-point proposal includes changes that will boost the real-time and day-ahead markets by allowing larger, less flexible units to set prices.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 15, 2019

TVA votes to retire Paradise, Bull Run coal units despite Trump tweet

Even if power demand increases and prices for natural gas more than double, TVA found the plants would not be competitive.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 15, 2019

Murkowski 'frustrated' by FERC impasse, pushes White House for nominees

The chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee said some issues are "perhaps deadlocked right now" due to a vacancy on the commission, but said the White House has not communicated about potential nominees.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 14, 2019

Dominion to halve emissions from gas infrastructure in next decade

Renewable energy advocates were unimpressed by the commitment, saying the best way for Dominion to reduce methane emissions is to stop building pipelines.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2019

AEP to buy Sempra Renewables for $1B, including 724 MW wind and battery assets

The acquisition follows parent-company Sempra's announcement last summer that it plans to spin off its nonutility operating renewable assets.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 13, 2019

Glick calls for 'new approach' to capacity markets in wide-ranging NARUC talk

The FERC regulator’s hour-long address contrasted with that of his colleague Commissioner Bernard McNamee, who spoke for 11 minutes and addressed no specific policy issues.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 13, 2019