SCANA agrees to settle $2B class action suit over nuclear costs

But the agreement is contingent upon South Carolina regulators approving Dominion Energy's bid to purchase SCANA and its principle subsidiary, South Carolina Electric & Gas.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 26, 2018

Brown mandates a 'greener' Golden State

As California inches closer to a renewable-only grid, S&P Global Ratings Director of Sustainable Finance Michael Ferguson assesses which assets from a credit perspective could stand to either benefit or face heightened risks.

By Michael Ferguson • Nov. 26, 2018

Dominion offers 15% rate cut in updated bid to acquire SCANA

Dominion would lower rates even further than its previous two offers in its bid to acquire SCANA Corp. and its principal subsidiary South Carolina Electric & Gas.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 21, 2018

FERC rejects generator proposal for CAISO capacity market

Generators said growing renewable energy is putting them out of business, but FERC determined they failed to identify where CAISO market rules are unreasonable or any serious reliability problems that could result.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 21, 2018

New Jersey moves ahead on nuke subsidies, approving ZEC application process

The plants must show a "clear need" for the zero emission credits, while meeting a number of other requirements, including evidence they'll help the state reduce emissions.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 21, 2018

FERC nominee McNamee slams renewables, green groups in Feb. video

The nominee told Texas lawmakers that renewable energy "screws up the whole physics of the grid" and portrayed industry lawsuits with environmental groups as a "constant battle between liberty and tyranny."

By Gavin Bade • Updated Nov. 21, 2018

Entergy Arkansas to phase out 1 gas, 2 coal plants in Clean Air Act settlement

While Entergy will stop burning coal at its White Bluff and Independence power plants by the end of 2028 and 2030, respectively, it is not restricting its options for new power generation.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2018

New Microsoft contract could expand corporate renewable energy deals to smaller buyers

The "volume firming agreement" could mitigate some of the risk and volatility of renewable energy power purchase agreements, helping to expand procurement beyond large corporate buyers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 20, 2018

Connecticut moves to keep Dominion's Millstone nuclear plant afloat

Connecticut joins states like Illinois and New York in developing mechanisms to keep existing nuclear plants online.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2018

24 of 26 Duke coal ash ponds in Carolinas not compliant with CCR rule

Nearly all the ash basins violated rules that requires the bottom of a disposal facility to be five feet above groundwater aquifers and stipulate there can be no connection between aquifer and disposal facility. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 19, 2018

Trump to nominate acting EPA head Wheeler for permanent top spot

Wheeler has directed multiple efforts to roll back environmental regulations, including vehicle efficiency standards and rules on coal plant mercury emissions, carbon pollution and ash disposal. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 2018

S&P: Utility financials largely stable, growth outlook uncertain

The firm also anticipates "modest to flat growth" next year for independent generators, predicting that power prices could strengthen in the PJM market "because energy price reforms appear likely."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 19, 2018

FERC nominee McNamee distances himself from Trump coal bailout at hearing

Despite helping craft the White House's ill-fated coal and nuclear bailout last year, McNamee told senators he would view the issue differently if confirmed to a seat on FERC.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 15, 2018

Pennsylvania DEP solar plan aims for 10% solar generation by 2030

The majority of the state's generation comes from nuclear and natural gas, with solar providing 300 MW, less than 1%.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 15, 2018

PJM, states clash over market jurisdiction at NARUC conference

PJM CEO Andy Ott said some states in his market had entered a "compact" to allow generation decisions to be determined by competitive markets, sparking spirited responses from state regulators.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 14, 2018

DOE to fund 'Coal FIRST' initiative, critics say it's political not practical

The U.S. Department of Energy wants to support the development of smaller coal-fired plants, 50 MW to 350 MW in size, with high-efficiency and near-zero emissions.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 14, 2018

APS spent millions defeating Prop 127. Is a clean energy compromise ahead?

The utility beat the push for 50% renewables, then started talk about an 80% clean energy standard.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 14, 2018

AEP to spend $2.7B on renewables, $24.9B on T&D in next 5 years

American Electric Power plans to use the majority of its five year budget on transmission and distribution operations to "enhance service for customers."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2018

Lazard: Renewables can challenge existing coal plants on price

The firm's latest findings underscore a number of recent utility moves to replace coal with wind, solar and gas.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 12, 2018

35% of US nuclear plants face early retirement: Union of Concerned Scientists

The analysis recommends the adoption of state and federal policies that would support the plants, including a national carbon price or low-carbon electricity standard.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2018

Storage will replace 3 California gas plants as PG&E nabs approval for world's largest batteries

Installation of more than 2,200 MWh of storage will be the first time a utility directly replaces multiple major fossil fuel generators with batteries.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 9, 2018

PJM aims for middle in defense of capacity market plan at FERC

Fossil fuel generators and consumer advocates assailed the grid operator's resource carve-out plan in comments while PJM tried to frame its proposal as a reasonable compromise. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 8, 2018

94% of utility execs expect 'severe' earnings pressure before 2025: Accenture

Of the same executives surveyed, 97% also believe that earnings will rise after 2025, once the utility sector has moved past the growing pains of modernization, according to the management consulting firm's study.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 7, 2018

Ballot initiative flops mask strong election for clean energy

The failure of high-profile ballot initiatives in Arizona and Washington came amid wins for renewable energy supporters in key gubernatorial races.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 7, 2018

Should targeted EV programs be subsidized by all utility customers or have separate rates?

Electric vehicles are transitioning from a specialized market representing approximately 1% of U.S. car sales to an anticipated mainstream market of almost 25% of new car sales within seven years.

By Jim Heidell and Diana Lai • Nov. 7, 2018