Cold weather forces Salem nuclear unit offline as owner PSE&G presses for subsidies

Ice formed on the plant's water intake early Thursday morning, the plant operator said, but grid operator PJM had ample generation reserves to ride through the cold weather.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 1, 2019

Proposed fossil fuel moratorium derails 100% Virginia clean energy bill

The legislation failed 86-12 on Jan. 31 after an amendment to drop the portion halting all state level advancement of any fossil fuel facility, pipeline, terminal or refinery failed.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 1, 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

Low prices, not legislation, driving Xcel renewables push for now

Bills in Colorado, Texas, Minnesota and other states are not expected to significantly drive capital expenditures in the short term, but will be key to becoming 100% carbon free, analysts say.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 31, 2019

Inside Vanguard Renewables, the Northeast's biggest food waste recycler

The Massachusetts company recently opened its latest farm-based anaerobic digester, with seven more on the way. Waste Dive sat down with CEO John Hanselman to learn why his business works where others have failed.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 31, 2019

Polar Vortex set to test Midwest grids amid FERC resilience debate

Plant owners will use cold weather conditions to shape arguments for higher market payments at FERC and regional grid operators.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 30, 2019

Texas lawmaker pushes for pipeline safety after deadly gas leak explosion

Rep. Rafael Anchia, D, filed a series of bills to increase oversight of natural gas pipelines in the state. Industry lobbyists are already in opposition.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2019

Blue state environmental wave grows as New Mexico governor signs clean energy order

The order directs state agencies to set a variety of standards for emissions, energy efficiency and infrastructure, targeting a 45% reduction in carbon emissions below 2005 levels by 2030.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 30, 2019

Is 100% renewable energy for the US possible? Yes

Naysayers argue we'll continue to need nuclear power and natural gas plants, and an all-renewables grid will be too expensive. But none of their arguments stand up, writes the Environmental Working Group.

By Grant Smith and Bill Walker • Jan. 30, 2019

As solar-plus-storage surges, can smart devices help overcome deployment barriers?

As utilities move to reap the benefits of solar-plus-storage, manufacturing and interconnection barriers threaten to impede growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 29, 2019

DOE fossil head: New US coal plants 'quite possible'

No coal plants are under construction in the U.S. today, but the Department of Energy's top fossil fuel official thinks that could change if natural gas prices spike. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 29, 2019

Corporate clean energy PPAs doubled to 13 GW in 2018: BNEF

Corporate PPAs are driving wind and solar growth, while energy storage isn't yet cost competitive enough to be paired with renewables for those agreements, according to BNEF.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 29, 2019

Blue state AGs press McNamee recusal in resilience docket

Ten Democratic attorneys general said the proceeding "closely resembles" debate over the DOE coal bailout plan McNamee helped design — the standard FERC lawyers said may trigger a recusal recommendation. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 29, 2019

EPA's Wehrum on whether climate is in crisis: 'I'm trying to figure that out'

The agency’s top air official cast doubt on the severity of climate threats to the U.S. and defended proposed changes to mercury regulations on power plants.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 28, 2019

Behavioral demand response gives Baltimore Gas and Electric a business reason to reduce peak usage

Rocky Mountain Institute, America's Power Plan and Advanced Energy Economy Institute provide insight on the results of the largest dynamic pricing program in the nation, as of 2017.

By Coley Girouard • Jan. 28, 2019

PacifiCorp delays IRP 4 months, warns analysis of coal data remains in early stages

The raw comparison of its coal fleet to alternative replacement options, such as renewables, doesn't account for reliability concerns and system planning, utility officials said.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2019

EIA: US far off track for global climate goals as fossil fuel reliance persists

The agency's Annual Energy Outlook projects the U.S. will cut economy-wide carbon emissions 2.5% by 2050 — far less than the level scientists say is necessary to stave off the worst impacts of climate change.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 25, 2019

Virginia Governor approves law requiring Dominion to excavate all coal ash

The bill drew broad bipartisan support in January and will also require the utility to recycle at least a quarter of the 27 million cubic yards of coal ash it stores at its Virginia plants.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 21, 2019

NRC's new Fukushima-driven safety rules not designed for the 'real world,' critics say

The new rule aims to mitigate "severe events" at U.S. nuclear reactors, but the Union of Concerned Scientists says a key provision was removed before the Republican-led Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved it 3-2.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2019

FirstEnergy Solutions reaches restructuring agreement, could emerge from bankruptcy in 2019

The agreement leaves open the possibility FirstEnergy Solutions could continue to own and operate its retail and wholesale load-serving business.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2019

DOE sees role for coal supporting renewables with $38M funding announcement

Given the increased used of alternative energy sources, it's important for the coal fleet to be flexible "to accommodate electricity needs that are less than baseload," DOE said.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2019

Don't confuse energy favoritism with energy resilience

The Department of Energy has cited cyber and national security in a proposal to subsidize uneconomical power plants. Major General Bob Dees writes that this assertion is "dubious."

By Bob Dees • Jan. 24, 2019

A new lease on life for Holyoke, Massachusetts' former coal-fired power plant

The Mount Tom Station was replaced by a solar farm with a three-megawatt battery storage system and 17,000 solar panels — the state's largest.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 22, 2019

Minnesota study finds it cheaper to curtail solar than to add storage

A report studies Minnesota's options for 70% renewable penetration and finds surprising results regarding energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 22, 2019

New Jersey advances first community solar pilot to power 45K homes

State regulators approved the rules for what could evolve into a permanent community solar program of at least 225 MW over the next three years.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 22, 2019

Texas regulators direct higher plant payments amid capacity crunch concerns

Changes to the state's market rules will make prices respond more quickly during times of grid stress, boosting payments to resources that can provide emergency power. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 22, 2019