House Dems put climate at center of $760B infrastructure plan

The Moving Forward Framework would invest heavily in roads, transit and water systems, with efforts to cut emissions woven throughout.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 31, 2020

Xcel assesses non-wires alternatives to distribution upgrade as it enters new proceedings in Colorado, Minnesota

The utility teamed up with the Electric Power Research Institute, finding the use of storage and demand response could defer the need to upgrade a feeder on its system, Distributech attendees heard Jan. 28.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 30, 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

Los Angeles commits to 100% electric sanitation fleet by 2035. Other cities aren't ready to follow

LASAN Director Enrique Zaldivar pledged to procure only electric vehicles in two years and gradually convert the fleet. While the market continues to evolve, adoption is far from widespread.

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 29, 2020

Seattle to test paying for commercial building efficiency through long-term PPAs

Seattle City Light will pay around $0.08/kWh for "efficiency energy" under long-term power purchase agreements similar to contracts for renewables.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2020

Automakers: New tech, battery advances will curb EV range anxiety

Automakers including Ford, Volkswagen and Chevrolet gathered at the Washington Auto Show on Thursday to display new EV offerings and discuss consumer outreach strategies.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 24, 2020

New Jersey proposes utilities recover lost revenues, earn bonuses for beating energy savings targets

Utilities would recover lost revenues attributable to energy efficiency and peak demand reduction programs, while earning bonuses (or incurring penalties) for performance around targets.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2020

Amazon, Lime part of new alliance to accelerate EVs

The Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance will demand production of new EV models and infrastructure, especially in the delivery and shipping sectors. 

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 23, 2020

2020 Utility Dive Outlooks: What's in store for coal, gas, renewables, DER and beyond

2020 promises to be another busy year across the U.S. power sector as the energy transition gathers more steam.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 23, 2020

Wide gap seen in energy efficiency costs between public utility customer classes, but overall spending rising

A recent study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory pegs the overall cost of public power energy savings at $0.024/kWh — but for residential customers, costs are significantly higher.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2020

2020 Outlook: From light bulbs to dishwashers, court battles to continue on DOE’s efficiency moves

The U.S. Department of Energy's appliance standards program turned into a policy lightning rod in 2019. Experts anticipate more of the same.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2020

Mercom: VC funds are increasingly investing in energy storage

Meanwhile, venture capital spending on energy efficiency dipped from $1.5 billion in 2018 to $298 million last year, though the 2018 results were skewed by a single mega deal and funding has been on an overall downward trend.

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 21, 2020

New York regulators recommend charging infrastructure plan expected to deliver $2.6B in net benefits

The program will cover up to 90% of costs for "make-ready" charging stations to lower cost barriers for developers.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 21, 2020

DOE energy efficiency thresholds will endanger appliance standards, critics say

Trump says he wants to make dishes "beautiful" again, but efficiency advocates warn his administration is gutting regulations that could save billions in energy costs.

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 17, 2020

New York says new renewables financing option to reduce developers' financial risk, save $4.6B

In addition to updating how renewable energy projects in the state are funded, the Public Service Commission directed $2 billion in utility energy efficiency and building electrification spending.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 17, 2020

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

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