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

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

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

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

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

Dominion strikes deadline day utility deal to keep Millstone nuke operating

The company warned that New England's sole nuclear generator could retire if a contract for its output was not signed by March 15. 

By Gavin Bade • March 15, 2019

Market Monitor: 3 GW nukes, 12 GW coal uneconomic in PJM

The only nuclear plants receiving market signals to retire are one-unit generators, Monitoring Analytics said, and the only one to recieve a state subsidy "did not need" it.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 15, 2019

Chatterjee: Transmission could be resilience docket solution

The FERC chairman's remarks at CERAWeek represent a shift from past emphasis on generator fuel supplies in the resilience debate. 

By Gavin Bade • March 14, 2019

FPL proposes country's largest community solar project at 1,490 MW

If approved by Florida regulators, the project would more than double U.S. community solar capacity, currently at 1,387 MW.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 14, 2019

As US solar expands, states increasingly tackle compensation and community project complexities

Years of debate by "nerds in beige rooms" has led to today's booming solar market, but solar policy is becoming even more complicated.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 14, 2019

McNamee still mulling resilience docket recusal

In his first comments to the press since his confirmation, the Republican regulator said he is working with ethics officials to determine if the resilience docket too closely resembles a plant bailout plan he crafted in 2017.

By Gavin Bade • March 14, 2019

Perry says federal coal and nuke bailout not dead, but encourages states to act

The Secretary of Energy supports "thoughtful" state subsidy programs, but said he was not aware of discussions in Pennsylvania, where a lawmaker says DOE staff told him a federal bailout was not forthcoming.

By Gavin Bade • March 14, 2019

NYSERDA targets retail and bulk storage incentives as state aims for 3 GW by 2030

The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority's plan allocates $130 million and $150 million to the retail and bulk storage markets, respectively.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 13, 2019

Kansas City, Missouri, pledges carbon-free government by next year

The city council voted unanimously to get its electricity from renewable sources, develop a community solar farm and buy more electric vehicles.

By Chris Teale • March 13, 2019

Three's company: New Mexico joins California, Hawaii in approving 100% clean energy mandate

The bill requires the state to phase out all natural gas and coal-fired plants by 2045, signifying a major shift in energy priorities since a new governor and a new crop of legislators took office in January.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 13, 2019

Federal court denies FERC jurisdiction in PG&E bankruptcy case

FERC asserted it had "concurrent jurisdiction" and could prevent power contracts from being altered as part of PG&E's bankruptcy proceeding.

By Gavin Bade • March 13, 2019

Pennsylvania lawmaker: State crafted nuke subsidy bill after DOE said not to wait for bailout

The new bill to provide financial support to the state's nine nuclear plants is part of a trend of states taking the lead on premature retirements in the face of inaction from the federal government. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 12, 2019

PJM pushes FERC to act on capacity market rules, citing 'uncertainty' and 'confusion'

Until FERC approves a replacement for the capacity market design it threw out last year, PJM said it is directing market participants to prepare for an upcoming auction under both sets of rules.

By Gavin Bade • March 12, 2019

Duke defends IRP as greens push North Carolina regulators to reassess

Consumer and environmental advocates say the utility's 15-year plan in North Carolina is too expensive and doesn't do enough to eliminate fossil fuels. 

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2019

Dominion faces March 15 deadline to secure utility contracts for Millstone nuke

The plant owner has been negotiating with Eversource and United Illuminating to secure higher priced power purchase agreements, according to local news reports. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 8, 2019