Efficiency & Demand Response

Waste giant Republic Services orders 2,500 Nikola electric trucks, sending industrywide signal

President Jon Vander Ark said the days of CNG have largely passed and predicts electrification will become the future industry standard. Initial testing is expected to begin next year, with full production targeted for 2023.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 12, 2020

FERC staff to Congress: HV transmission essential to reducing carbon, deploying renewables

One of the largest opportunities for high voltage transmission is colocation, though barriers include restrictions set by the Federal Highway Administration and state transportation agencies, analysts say.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 10, 2020

ConEd, Eversource blasted by New York, Connecticut officials after 'wholly inadequate' storm response

Hurricane Isaias brought Northeast utilities the largest number of power outages since 2012's Hurricane Sandy.

By Catherine Morehouse • UPDATED: Aug. 10, 2020 at 8:50 a.m.

Mandated energy efficiency scores would influence home buying: ACEEE

An empirical study of how U.S. homeowners value energy efficiency information found that homebuyers are more likely to purchase an efficient home if that data is presented in a listing.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 06, 2020

Sponsored by Enel X

Demand response: Delivering reliability in uncertain times – a Q&A with Enel X

How can utilities be assured that demand response resources will be available when needed?

GM, EVgo to triple fast charging network

The companies announced plans to add more than 2,700 new fast chargers in "highly visible areas" across 40 undisclosed metropolitan areas.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 03, 2020

'Take a deep breath': Arizona drive to 100% clean energy breaks down amid commissioner disputes

The Arizona Corporation Commission was unable to muster three votes for a proposal put forth by Chairman Bob Burns and Commissioner Sandra Kennedy, and the meeting was quickly adjourned.

By Robert Walton • July 31, 2020

Tesla sues Rivian alleging trade secret theft as companies jockey for EV dominance

Tesla says Rivian persuaded employees to misappropriate specific confidential information before leaving Tesla, according to the company’s filing in California Superior Court.

By Guy Burdick • July 30, 2020

Sponsored by Oracle

Influencing customer behaviors to achieve our clean energy vision

The progress we make today is essential for the environment tomorrow.

By Josh Lich, Senior Director, Go-to-Market Strategy, Oracle Utilities Opower • July 28, 2020

Construction begins on Pittsburgh International Airport microgrid

The microgrid will completely power PIT by next summer, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative among major U.S. airports.

By Chris Teale • July 24, 2020

Senate Republicans urge McConnell to include clean energy in COVID-19 recovery package

The letter, led by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., is likely "the largest number of Republican senators" to have signed onto an effort urging clean energy be included in a federal recovery package.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 24, 2020

COVID-19 puts spotlight on equity considerations in utility clean energy, efficiency and relief efforts

Utilities are engaging in programs and actions, including cost shifting, that can bring benefits to low-income customers, according to participants of the NARUC summer policy summit.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 21, 2020

Preparing the maintenance workforce for electric trucks

The labor pool of experienced technicians has always been small, and now trucking firms must train or hire workers with an understanding of high voltage environments.

By Jen A. Miller • July 20, 2020

Opinion

Setting free the dancing bear: A practitioner's view of how to break open energy efficiency

Regulators are missing the biggest obstacle to a robust energy efficiency market: high transaction costs, the author writes.

By Mark Shahinian • July 20, 2020

15 states, DC will collaborate on 100% electric truck sales by 2050

The memorandum of understanding gives states the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the California Air Resources Board's electric-truck sales rule. 

By S.L. Fuller • July 14, 2020

Florida PSC approves utility demand-side management plans, despite staff, Walmart objections

Regulators rejected staff recommendations as well as objections from Walmart and other commercial and industrial users, saying utilities had complied with requests for more robust, updated demand-side management programs.

By Guy Burdick • July 09, 2020

Opinion

States are falling short on building decarbonization — Here's what regulators need to do

Programs and rules that are poorly suited for a transition from gas to electricity should be revisited, the authors write.

By Mike Henchen and Sherri Billimoria • July 09, 2020

Deep Dive

Momentum grows for piloting Netflix-like fixed subscription rates, but not everyone's on board

For customers who want predictable bills, pairing automated smart distribution technologies with flat rates can resolve the overuse challenge of traditional fixed bills.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 07, 2020

California approves landmark zero emission truck rule amid push to meet state environmental goals

The California Air Resources Board on Thursday unanimously passed its Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation, requiring every new truck sold in California to be zero emission starting in 2045.

By S.L. Fuller • June 26, 2020

'A critical milestone': PG&E first gas-electric IOU to publicly support California's all-electric construction

A company executive said it "welcomes the opportunity to avoid investments in new gas assets that might later prove underutilized as local governments and the state work together to realize long-term decarbonization objectives."

By Kavya Balaraman • June 26, 2020

New York Power Authority, Signify upgrade 500K streetlights statewide

The partnership supports the Smart Street Lighting NY initiative, which looks to add LEDs and connect streetlights through IoT technology.

By Chris Teale • June 25, 2020

Ford plans to go carbon neutral by 2050, invest $11.5B in EVs

A significant portion of Ford's plan relies on switching over its vehicle offerings to high fuel economy, hybrid and ultimately zero-emission vehicles.

By Morgan Forde • June 25, 2020

Nevada moves to adopt stricter vehicle emission standards amid continuing federal-state battle

The Trump administration has rescinded waivers necessary for states to set their own vehicle emission standards, but that hasn't stopped Nevada and others from showing interest.

By Robert Walton • June 24, 2020

ACEEE highlights 10 building energy performance standards to help meet climate goals

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy issued a white paper Monday outlining different standards, ranging from Tokyo's cap-and-trade program to Washington State's clean buildings bill.

By Kristin Musulin • June 24, 2020

Utilities propose West Coast charging stations for electric trucks

Fleet managers are watching what utilities and agencies do and indicated in a survey they will deploy EVs as part of their freight-hauling fleet when they see the infrastructure assemble.

By Jim Stinson • June 22, 2020