NextEra to retire Iowa nuclear plant in 2020

Utility Alliant will pay the nuclear operator $110 million and buy 340 MW of power from existing NextEra wind projects in exchange for ending its power purchase agreement with the plant early.

By Gavin Bade • July 27, 2018

NextEra's renewables backlog grows to 7.4 GW as customers anticipate lower costs

The company's record backlog includes many energy storage and solar projects slated for years in the future, as prices are expected to drop in the 2020s.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 27, 2018

AEP cancels largest US wind project after Texas rejection

Regulators said AEP's 2 GW Wind Catcher project, planned for the Oklahoma panhandle, did not provide enough benefits to customers.

By Gavin Bade • July 27, 2018

If a major coal plant goes down and no one notices, can it impact reliability?

Montana's Colstrip power plant, one of the nation's largest coal generators, shut down amid a national debate over the need for dispatchable power plants — and almost no one noticed.

By Robert Walton • July 26, 2018

Los Angeles considers $3B pumped storage project at Hoover Dam

The city's municipal utility is studying the potential of using the dam as a giant pumped hydropower plant run by renewables.

By Peter Maloney • July 26, 2018

FERC clears Atlantic Coast Pipeline for construction in North Carolina

The pipeline is planned to run 600 miles, stretching from West Virginia into North Carolina, but has faced fierce opposition from environmentalists who say its construction is in violation of the Endangered Species Act.

By Robert Walton • July 26, 2018

APS-backed group challenges 50% renewables ballot measure in court

Lawyers for the parent company of Arizona Public Service say almost 200,000 signatures on petitions in favor of a ballot initiative to consider the 50% renewable energy standard are invalid.

By Robert Walton • July 25, 2018

How vulnerable is the grid to cyberattacks, really?

Experts say a recent DHS briefing that warned hackers could cause widespread blackouts may have overstated the threat.  

By Gavin Bade • July 25, 2018

As California grid expansion nears finish line, hurdles only get higher

"With this bill, anything we do makes someone grumpy," said one architect of legislation to create a full Western electricity market.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 24, 2018

Report: SCANA, Dominion offered $1,500 refunds to escape Summer rate cut

The utilities wanted to increase support for their proposed merger and retain the ability to charge customers for the canceled V.C. Summer nuke, but lawmakers rejected their plan by wide margins.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2018

Western RTO could save California $1.5B per year by 2030, report says

A full regional power market could create jobs and boost renewables, but some California stakeholders worry about impacts on the state's leading environmental policies.

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2018

Massachusetts power players scramble for deal in critical storage, DER docket

Utilities and developers aim to reach a compromise this week over who owns the capacity rights for storage and renewable resources — a question central to their future growth.

By Peter Maloney • July 23, 2018

FERC approves gas pipelines as Powelson eyes exit

Chairman Kevin McIntyre says he doesn't expect a "raft of 2-2 votes" that could deadlock the agency until Powelson's replacement is confirmed. 

By Gavin Bade • July 19, 2018

Report: DOE bailout for coal, nuclear plants could cost $34B

The new analysis completed by Brattle does not include any potential impacts of the government's purchase on competitive markets. 

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2018

Rise of net zero energy homes could boost utility-led community solar

Modeling of new energy-efficient home developments found community solar offers system advantages not available from rooftop solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 19, 2018

Earliest New York will have carbon price is Q2 2021, NYISO says

The timeline outlined on Monday is intended to provide certainty to energy trading markets that are currently pricing power prior to the second quarter of 2021, the grid operator said.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2018

Trump administration weakens coal ash rule

The final rule loosens requirements for handling coal ash, allowing states flexibility that could save them more than $30 million annually. But environmentalists say much more is at stake.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2018

APS spends $11 million to keep 50% renewables measure off ballot

The utility says it is concerned the measure would lead it to retire its Palo Verde nuclear plant early, an argument contested by environmental groups. 

By Gavin Bade • July 18, 2018

FERC climate policy faces new challenge at DC Circuit Court

Earlier this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission narrowly voted to restrict the consideration of climate change impacts in its review of pipeline projects.

By Robert Walton • July 18, 2018

PJM CEO: Grid operator will respond to FERC capacity market order within 60 days

The operator could ask federal regulators for an extension, but CEO Andy Ott said that would run the risk of not having changes in place before the next capacity market auction.

By Gavin Bade • July 17, 2018

Amid heat wave, ERCOT posts new July peak demand record

It's summer: The new July peak comes less than two weeks after the Electric Reliability Council of Texas set its previous record.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2018

PG&E projects set new bar for battery size but fall short on transparency

The California utility proposed energy storage to replace peakers, but comparisons are difficult without more data on costs.

By Peter Maloney • July 17, 2018

Report: Dominion aims to sell pair of gas-fired plants for $1.5B

The company wants to improve its balance sheet. With the potential sale of two plants in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, it could reduce its exposure to power markets along the way.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2018

Eversource asks regulators to reconsider Northern Pass transmission project, gas pipeline

The utility seizes the opportunity to bring two more projects to the table after the New Hampshire Supreme Court reversed a regulatory rejection of a new natural gas pipeline.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2018

Hydro One turmoil prompts new look at Avista merger by Washington regulators

Ontario's new premier has pushed out Hydro One's CEO and board, sowing uncertainty for Washington's Utilities and Transportation Commission on Hydro One's merger with the small investor-owned utility.

By Peter Maloney • July 16, 2018