New Jersey sets high standard with passage of EV incentive bill, advocates say

In his State of the State address on Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy promised to unveil a comprehensive roadmap in two weeks detailing how the state would reach its goal of a 100% clean energy economy by 2050.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 15, 2020

Most utilities aren't getting full value from smart meters, report warns

Utilities are spending billions on smart meters, but most are not taking full advantage of their energy-saving capabilities, according to a new analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 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

2020 Outlook: 10 trends driving the US power sector

From utilities to states to grid operators, the energy transformation is accelerating, but significant challenges remain.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 13, 2020

Seattle to transition city-owned buildings away from fossil fuels

The first round of building electrification plans are due this summer after an executive order from Mayor Jenny Durkan advancing a Green New Deal.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 13, 2020

ConEd will redesign NYC commercial building efficiency pilot after participation hurdles

Almost two dozen building operators signed up for the NYC pilot program, but campaign participation dropped over the span of a year — eventually to just four buildings.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2020

Deloitte: Consumer interest in EVs rising, but cost still a barrier

Now 41% of U.S. drivers, up from 29% last year, said they would consider an alternative to a gas-powered car, but range anxiety remains.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 8, 2020

Making the case for billion-dollar investments in grid modernization by answering 3 key questions

Boston Consulting Group’s framework prioritizes the business case for grid mod investments to win stakeholder and regulator backing for billion-dollar spending.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 6, 2020

Court rules California can enforce stricter lightbulb standards amid challenges to DOE rollbacks

Environmental advocates estimate the updated standards could save California consumers $2.4 billion annually on utility bills, while avoiding up to 13,600 GWh of annual electricity use.

By Robert Walton • Updated Jan. 17, 2020

DOE finalizes rejection of Obama lightbulb efficiency standards, but excludes LEDs from analysis

Environmental groups say the Trump administration is imposing billions of dollars in costs on consumers in the form of higher electricity bills.

By Matthew Bandyk • Dec. 23, 2019

Transportation Climate Initiative releases controversial draft plan to cut emissions

Eleven Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia, which comprise the initiative, outlined a proposed framework to cut transport pollution, responsible for 40% of the region's greenhouse gas emissions.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 18, 2019

US investment in energy efficiency dropped estimated 18% in two years: Report

Despite massive emissions reduction and finance potential, analysis from a trio of efficiency advocates shows the United States' focus on energy savings may have plateaued.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2019

New York transit authority to invest $1.1B for 500 electric buses

The agency currently has a request for proposals out for an order of 45 standard electric buses that will be used in each borough starting April 2021.

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 17, 2019

Investigations of ComEd, Exelon lobbying threaten Illinois energy transition

Lawmakers and clean energy advocates vow to continue fighting for the state's landmark clean energy bill despite a "black cloud of corruption."

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2019

California approves new energy efficiency frameworks expected to boost emerging technologies

The decision will help early-stage efficiency solutions gain traction in a state that has been a leader on clean energy for years.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2019

The rise of cloud computing is having an impact on data center efficiency — and it's not great

In recent years, improvements to data center facility efficiency have flattened — or even slowed — as fewer computers do the actual work.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2019

House green bank bill aims to leverage $35B in government funding into $1T in private investment

The effort had bipartisan, bicameral support in 2018, and the reintroduction is meant to prepare the bill for passage in early 2021.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 16, 2019

FERC: Wholesale demand response grows in step with smart meter proliferation

Demand response participation in wholesale markets hit 29,674 MW in 2018, largely tied to the growth of smart meters, which now make up over half the electric meters in the U.S.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2019

Republicans and Democrats are divided on many energy issues, but with farmers, it's a bipartisan affair

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said this week it will invest $237 million in rural efficiency and renewable energy projects for 640 businesses to help reduce the burden of energy expenses.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2019

Philly mayor signs laws to boost big building efficiency, phase out dirty fuel

Mayor Jim Kenney also updated the city's Energy Benchmarking Program, designed to understand energy use and "opportunities for change," according to a senior program manager.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 12, 2019

Outsourcing utility climate goals: Energy as a service reduces risk while increasing energy savings

A full set of service solutions with financing options will increasingly be required to address the portfolio needs of C&I customers, with energy storage, smart building analytics and controls as key enabling technologies, the author writes.

By Brett Feldman • Dec. 11, 2019

Southwest Power Pool registers Voltus as first demand response services provider

"We're eager to see how Voltus' technology and services will unlock not only the value of various types of demand response, but all types of distributed energy resources in the SPP footprint," the grid operator's COO said.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2019

Utilities can profit from a DER-heavy future by transitioning from traditional business models: report

New industry research highlights a path to expanding the business models for distribution utilities as more rooftop solar and energy storage is added behind the meter.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 11, 2019

Road to 100: How four cities are leading the renewables revolution

Utility Dive visited four U.S. cities powered by 100% renewables, getting local insights on the political will and economic drivers that got them there.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 10, 2019

Buttigieg's McKinsey controversy draws attention to candidate's work on energy efficiency

All of the leading Democratic candidates for president have discussed efficiency improvements, but Mayor Pete Buttigieg had his name on a major study a decade ago.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 10, 2019

The Utility Dive Awards for 2019

The annual awards highlight the biggest trends in innovation in the electric utility sector: from penciling out electrification efforts to pioneering new revenue streams for distributed resources.

Dec. 9, 2019