FPL, other Florida utilities far behind rest of US on energy efficiency, advocacy group says

Florida Power & Light chooses to pursue far less energy efficiency than even significantly smaller utilities, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy says.

By Matthew Bandyk • June 12, 2020

DOE's Better Buildings initiative notches $11B in savings across 10 years

The program, launched under the Obama administration, has helped partners save almost 1.8 quadrillion Btus — which the U.S. Department of Energy says is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 27 million homes.

By Robert Walton • June 12, 2020

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

New Jersey sets 'top tier' energy efficiency goal, targets more than 2% electricity savings

State regulators and energy efficiency advocates say the targets will lead to some of the highest energy savings in the country across the gas and electric sectors.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2020

Massachusetts' Clean Peak Standard — A trailblazer in the nation's clean energy transition

As the standard comes into effect, it could play a substantial role in bringing additional clean energy technologies to the state. And adoption elsewhere could improve prospects of meeting aggressive renewable goals.

By Roger Lin • June 9, 2020

Daimler, Volvo establish subsidiary for fuel-cell electric trucks

The German OEM has a two-pronged strategy on electric trucks, with differing approaches in Europe and the U.S.

By Jim Stinson • June 9, 2020

Xcel preps new EV programs to address 'suboptimal' charging incentives in Minnesota

The utility plans to mitigate the cost of installing electric vehicle charging equipment through an expanded residential charging program designed to help customers participate in off-peak rates without the need for a dedicated meter.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2020

EV charging gets small slice in Democrats' $494B transport infrastructure bill

The INVEST in America Act would reauthorize funding that's currently provided under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act to invest in greener infrastructure, including electric vehicle charging stations.

By Chris Teale • June 5, 2020

Businesses, lawmakers urge $22B in federal clean energy investment as sector job losses top 600K

In a letter to Congressional leaders, dozens of companies and advocacy groups proposed $22 billion in federal spending over five years to improve the safety, energy efficiency and resilience of critical public facilities.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2020

Efficiency significantly cheaper than natural gas, DOE study concludes

Gas utilities in the U.S. spend about $1.4 billion a year on energy efficiency programs, which new research shows may be the most cost-effective way of meeting demand.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2020

Observing recovery through a climate 'magnifying glass'

COVID-19 presented cities with fresh observations of climate trends, marking a crucial time for leaders to weave climate change mitigation into recovery efforts.

By Chris Teale • May 29, 2020

A sneak peek at San Francisco's new low-carbon neighborhood

The city unanimously approved plans to build a 29-acre sustainable, transportation-efficient community on the site of a former century-old fossil fuel power plant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 29, 2020

Retail co-location may prove key to sustainable funding for EV charging, panel finds

Grants and partnerships get the ball rolling, but retail businesses and restaurants may be the sustainable solution to a widening adoption-infrastructure gap, analysts concluded during a C2ES webinar last week.

By Emma Penrod • May 29, 2020

Columbus, Ohio exceeds EV adoption goal

Local residents have purchased more than 3,300 electric vehicles over the past three years as part of its $10 million Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 28, 2020

The (energy) efficient road to small business recovery

A Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant program, to supplement available utility incentives, represents the type of innovative but practical policy solutions that can get the U.S. economy going again, the authors write.

By Ralph Cavanagh and John Di Stasio • May 27, 2020

Powering EVs is cheaper than diesel, gas in the largest US cities — Atlanta and Boston are exceptions

A report found powering electric vehicles could save fleet operators in 21 out of 25 U.S. cities compared with diesel and gas options, with EVs clear winners in Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle.

By Guy Burdick • May 27, 2020

New Jersey EV infrastructure plan targets private capital over ratepayer dollars 'wherever possible'

The approach is likely to cause some tension, as utilities naturally seek to own more of the infrastructure, including stations, the head of Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter said.

By Robert Walton • May 26, 2020

As utilities tackle immediate COVID-19 impacts, analysts stress need to focus beyond the pandemic

Power systems across the country need new approaches for today's shifting loads, but focusing on recovery and tomorrow’s resources can be even better, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 20, 2020

Con Edison commits $1.5 billion to energy efficiency

The pledge amounts to a tripling of the utility's current investment in such programs and will include customer incentives for ground and air-source heat pumps.

By Guy Burdick • May 20, 2020

Energy efficiency has been hit hard by COVID-19; don't question its merits

The goals of reducing energy waste and maintaining affordability are not at odds with each other, the president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council writes.

By Laura Sherman • May 20, 2020

Electric trucks are the 'inevitable future,' fleets say

Despite the pandemic environment, states and fleets push forward on electric tractors.

By Jim Stinson • May 19, 2020

New York grants flexibility, works to limit 'bad actors' in demand response programs hit by COVID-19

Experts say the economic shutdown and uncertainty related to COVID-19 have created "a real concern" for the demand response industry, which profits by delivering predictable reductions in electricity usage.

By Robert Walton • May 19, 2020

Miami pilots e-cargo bikes to reduce congestion, pollution

The city partnered with DHL and Reef Technologies to pilot the bikes for last-mile deliveries, a move that's expected to reduce 101,000 kg of CO2e annually.

By Cailin Crowe • May 19, 2020

6 reasons why California needs to deploy dynamic pricing by 2030

The state's mandate for 100% renewable energy by 2045 will create challenges for system reliability, which can be maintained if load responds dynamically to changing system conditions, a Brattle Group Principal writes.

By Ahmad Faruqui • May 19, 2020

The risk to beneficial electrification: residential demand charges

Electrification is only beneficial if it achieves one of society's goals without harming another, the author writes.

By Patty Durand • May 18, 2020

Time to revisit utility energy efficiency programs

Utility regulators should consider whether energy efficiency programs should be scaled down or even exist at all, the author writes.

By Kenneth W. Costello • May 13, 2020