The American power system is changing. How can electricity rates keep up?

As the industry prepares for the electrification of different sectors of the economy, experts are looking at new ways to make electricity rates more equitable. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 24, 2023

Colorado mandates new building energy performance standards despite criticism

The ruling unfairly burdens existing buildings, operators and owners say. The state Air Quality Commission touts the rules’ flexibility.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 22, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Building Electrification

Decarbonization goals are spurring building electrication efforts across the U.S. While the use of heat pumps and other technologies is expanding, some policies are facing legal challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Green Mountain Power partnership with Motor to provide Vermont customers easy access to EVs

The Try-an-EV program allows customers to select a vehicle, schedule delivery and have a Level 2 charger installed.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2023

Public EV charger customer satisfaction drops: J.D. Power

"The results of this year's study should be very concerning to all those involved in the transition from gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles," one expert said.

By Michael Brady • Aug. 17, 2023

GM invests $60M in Mitra Chem to develop low-cost EV batteries

Mitra Chem says its technology can reduce electric vehicle battery development times by 90%.

By Eric Walz • Aug. 17, 2023

Democrats call on EPA to implement credit program for electricity from biomass by 2024

A letter from a group of nine Democrats argues EPA has all the information and authority it needs to move ahead with the program. The proposal was excluded from a previous update to the Renewable Fuel Standard.

By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 17, 2023

For stretch energy codes, Massachusetts gets nearly $4M DOE grant

The grant will provide field-based training to local building code officials and help communities share regional best practices.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 16, 2023

Nikola recalls electric trucks due to battery pack fire risks

The manufacturer halted new sales of the Class 8 vehicles and advised customers and dealers to store the vehicles outside.

By David Taube • Aug. 15, 2023

Department of Energy earmarks $46M to reduce energy waste in buildings

The Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers and Innovation Technologies funding will be channeled toward 29 projects across 15 states.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 10, 2023

A community solar boom will test Xcel, other utility plans against developer, customer needs: analysts

New state and federal funding and initiatives for community solar can bring equity and system reliability to the emerging energy transition, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 10, 2023

New York offers $12M for innovations in EV deployment, load management

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority says the state will need to “rapidly electrify” medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to meet its climate goals.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 9, 2023

Electric bus maker Proterra files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Citing "market and macroeconomic headwinds," the U.S.-based manufacturer looks to restructure its business.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 9, 2023

GM’s future Ultium-based EVs will support vehicle-to-home charging

The bidirectional charging technology uses a GM vehicle’s battery as a backup power source in the event of a power outage.

By Eric Walz • Aug. 8, 2023

Mayor Michelle Wu issues order to ban fossil fuels in Boston buildings

The executive order, which also prohibits fossil fuel use in renovations of existing city-owned structures, is part of a larger push for carbon neutrality by 2050.

By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 8, 2023

EPRI launches initiative to ready grid for increased EV loads, joined by Amazon, Xcel, ConEd

“Utilities are going to need, in some cases, two to four years of heads-up time to react and to do planning,” said EPRI Director of Transportation Britta Gross.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 8, 2023

Gas, building groups drop lawsuit against new Washington building codes requiring heat pumps

The litigation was an “aftershock” of a federal appeals court decision to overturn Berkeley, California’s first-in-the-nation ban on gas in new buildings, an Earthjustice senior attorney said. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 8, 2023

Fleet electrification planning a struggle for federal agencies: GAO

High costs and a lack of suitable zero-emission vehicles hamper the government’s ability to meet Biden administration targets, a Government Accountability Office report says.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 4, 2023

Fast charging, high costs: Eliminating demand charges won’t solve the problem

Demand charges are essential for a utility to recover the cost of maintaining, upgrading, and building the electric grid, according to the author.

By Chip Silverman • Aug. 2, 2023

New Jersey BPU advances building electrification over opposition from fossil fuel supporters

"We are not mandating anyone to give up their gas stove,” said New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Joseph Fiordaliso. “Those who tell you otherwise are wrong and spreading lies.”

By Robert Walton • Aug. 2, 2023

Biden administration proposes 58 mpg fuel economy standard to help drive transition to EVs

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommended that fuel efficiency increase 2% annually for passenger cars and 4% for light-duty trucks starting in model year 2027. But it’s considering more aggressive targets.

By Michael Brady • Aug. 1, 2023

DOE opens up $8.5B to states, territories for home efficiency, electrification rebate programs

The programs require minimum allocations for low-income households, which experts say will help ensure underserved communities benefit from the “unprecedented opportunity.”

By Robert Walton • July 31, 2023

General Motors, Honda and 5 other automakers form massive EV charging network joint venture

The collaboration will create one of North America's largest public EV charging networks and include 30,000 high-powered chargers.

By Eric Walz • July 27, 2023

Cities can better afford renewable energy, EV and other climate projects with new tax incentives: report

Tax credits made available to cities through the Inflation Reduction Act are so significant “that they may warrant a re-evaluation of some previously assessed investment opportunities,” the Alliance for a Sustainable Future report says.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 26, 2023

Machine learning, incentives and telematics: New tools emerge to manage rising EV charging loads

Utilities, distributed energy resource aggregators and research institutions are all developing methods to help manage electric vehicle charging.

By Robert Walton • July 26, 2023

Xcel files new EV charging network proposal in Colorado after Tesla connector news upends market

The utility says “uncertainty and volatility” regarding which fast charger connector type will become the U.S. standard — one developed by Tesla or another nonproprietary connector — led its alternative proposal.

By Robert Walton • July 26, 2023