Global energy demand sees biggest increase this decade, with gas the fuel of choice: IEA

The International Energy Agency's Global Energy and CO2 status report also found that renewables were the top means of meeting new electric power demand, though not enough to prevent a rise in global CO2 emissions.

By Robert Walton • April 9, 2019

Report: Los Angeles is top city for US solar use

After years of rapid growth, the U.S. now has enough solar to power one in 11 homes, according to Environment America.

By Jason Plautz • April 9, 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

Montana reviews controversial coal-saving bill, passes community transition actions

The "Save Colstrip" legislation is expected to reach the House floor in the coming weeks, as the governor considers three more coal-related bills.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 9, 2019

'No chance' on making Duke absorb coal ash costs, North Carolina GOP says

A new bill to prohibit cost recovery from ratepayers follows a PUC ruling last week that Duke must fully excavate all its coal ash ponds, estimated by the utility to add $4-5 billion to the already $5.6 billion clean up.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 9, 2019

Ohio GOP lines up bill to save FirstEnergy nuclear plants

Draft language released last week would create an "Ohio clean air fund" that would direct $300 million in annual customer payments to the Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear plants.

By Gavin Bade • April 8, 2019

Montana Supreme Court upholds ruling that PSC intentionally set PURPA rates to kill solar projects

Solar developers sued state regulators and NorthWestern Energy after a commissioner was caught on tape admitting that cuts to compensation rates were likely deep enough to kill small solar projects.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Aug. 25, 2020

Bankruptcy judge turns back FirstEnergy reorganization plan

The company's deal with creditors would have shielded it from cleanup costs at 8 GW of retiring coal and nuclear plants, but the judge called it "patently unconfirmable."

By Gavin Bade • April 5, 2019

Indiana GOP advances coal rescue bill that would pause utility plant builds

House Republicans in the state are taking a novel approach to keeping coal plants online — preventing investment in their competitors.

By Gavin Bade • April 5, 2019

Floating solar offers unique bargains — U.S. utilities are missing out

Siting photovoltaics on water is proving reliable worldwide, and the PVs could meet almost 10% of U.S. electricity needs at market-competitive costs, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 4, 2019

Save coal plant and prevent forest fires? APS assesses biomass conversion at Arizona unit

The Arizona Corporation Commission last December adopted a policy to encourage power generation from forest biomass in an effort to address the risk of wildfires while also creating jobs.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 4, 2019

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