Committing to climate: Transformation is underway in the US power sector

The electric power sector is taking climate action, and investors are taking notice. Here's how far it has come and where it needs to go next.

By Dan Bakal • April 22, 2019

FERC approves LNG terminals as anti-fossil protestors scale headquarters

Both sides say climate change is a 'crisis' — but have divergent strategies to address it.

By Gavin Bade • April 18, 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

Environmentalists push SWEPCO to show value of coal in its IRP

In its IRP, SWEPCO said it plans to include more gas and wind in its power mix, but more than 80% of the utility's energy will come from coal-fired generation this year.

By Robert Walton • April 18, 2019

Utilities flee UARG as Congressional Dems tee up probe into lobbying group

Decisions from seven major utilities to leave the lobbying group show their resource choices may be changing their public policy agendas. 

By Gavin Bade • April 17, 2019

Montana House unexpectedly rejects bill to save Colstrip coal plant

The vote — which came a day after lawmakers preliminarily approved the measure — caught environmental advocates by surprise. 

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2019

Green Mountain Power aims for 100% renewables by 2030 with up to 100 MW storage

Vermont's largest utility is 90% carbon free, but reaching 100% renewables will require the utility to increase its deployment of distributed resources and storage.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 16, 2019

Most MISO zones clear planning auction at $2.99/MW-day

Solar still makes up a relatively small percentage of the region's total capacity, but MISO officials said 680 MW of solar cleared in this year's auction, compared with 461 MW last year.

By Robert Walton • April 16, 2019

Baltimore trash-to-energy incinerator sues county for failure to deliver waste

Waste-to-energy qualifies as a renewable resource under Maryland law, and the facility alleges the county failed to deliver a contractually-mandated minimum of 215,000 annual tons of waste to the incinerator.

By Rina Li • April 16, 2019

Vistra, greens at odds over Illinois solar+storage bill that would preserve coal plants

A bill pending in the state legislature could provide millions of dollars for Vistra to transition its coal plants to solar and storage in the mid-2020s — years after the plants would retire absent the measure.

By Robert Walton • April 16, 2019

Supreme Court won't hear nuke subsidy cases, clarifying state energy jurisdiction

The decision not to hear challenges to Illinois and New York nuclear subsidies is the final ruling upholding those policies, which can now serve as legal models for other states.

By Gavin Bade • April 15, 2019

Michigan denies Consumers PURPA reset amid solar outcry

State regulators also gave themselves more time to review the IRP after criticism from solar companies over more than 3 GW of PURPA projects pending interconnnection.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 15, 2019

Calpine sells 2 gas-fired plants to Starwood Energy

The sale features more than 825 MW of contracted capacity in two wholesale markets, including Wisconsin's largest peaker and the newest plant in Calpine's fleet.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2019

DOE to spend additional $100M on lower emission coal plant development

A day before the DOE announcement, a bipartisan group of senators led by the leadership of the Senate energy committee introduced a new carbon capture bill to expand the agency's research initiatives.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 15, 2019

Renewable procurement gaps pose risk for California's climate goals, but what solution is best?

A new bill may capture broad agreement about the need for a central backstop procurement entity, but doubts about it remain.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2019

Inslee signs 100% clean energy bill in midst of 2020 White House bid

The bill was signed despite lack of bipartisan support and would require the electric grid to be 100% carbon-free by 2045, carbon-neutral by 2030 and coal-free by 2025.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 8, 2019

Indiana lawmakers reject generation moratorium aimed at saving coal

Debate over the generation moratorium corresponded with a lobbying campaign by out-of-state coal interests that supply fuel to Indiana generators, the Indianapolis Star reported.

By Gavin Bade • April 12, 2019

Duke to resist North Carolina DEQ's 'disruptive' and 'expensive' coal ash excavation order

The utility plans to file an appeal with state regulators following an order which determined the only way to ensure Duke's coal ash is stored safely is to fully excavate all ponds.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 12, 2019

Puerto Rico governor signs 100% renewable energy mandate

The law aims to replace imported oil, gas and coal, which today make up the brunt of the island's generation. 

By Gavin Bade • April 12, 2019

Chicago becomes largest US city to commit to 100% clean energy

The city council voted unanimously on the resolution, which also calls for complete electrification of the city's bus fleet by 2040.

By Kristin Musulin • April 12, 2019

PJM won't delay capacity market order despite FERC impasse over rule changes

Last month PJM warned FERC that it was nearing a number of deadlines to prepare for the auction and needed a decision soon.

By Gavin Bade • April 11, 2019

Hawaiian Electric targets nearly 1.4 GWh storage, 135 MW solar equivalent in latest solicitation

If approved by Hawaii regulators, the second phase of the utility's procurement plans would compensate for the planned closure of two fossil-fuel power plants and bring the state closer to its 100% renewable energy goal.

By HJ Mai • April 11, 2019

California utilities support centralized renewables procurement proposal, but urge caution

A California Administrative Law Judge issued the proposal in March after concluding that integrated resource plans filed by utilities and community choice aggregators would not reliably meet the state's climate goals. 

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2019

Maryland 50% RPS bill doubles offshore wind target, expands solar-carve out

The measure passed Monday by state legislators also allows waste-to-energy facilities to qualify for the renewable portfolio standard.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 22, 2019

New Jersey governor unveils portal to enhance state's offshore wind supply chain

As the state works to add 3,500 MW of offshore wind by 2030, Gov. Phil Murphy announced a free online registry to connect investors in offshore wind projects with New Jersey-based partners and suppliers.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 10, 2019

DOE calls for large Puerto Rico gas plant as island targets 100% renewables

A gas generator 1.2 GW or larger would "greatly enhance" reliability and resilience, a senior agency official told lawmakers, but "could be at odds" with Puerto Rico's recently passed 100% renewables goal.

By Gavin Bade • April 9, 2019