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

DC to LA: Electrify America completes nation's first cross-country EV fast charging corridor

Meanwhile, a new analysis from The Brattle Group finds the U.S. could need up to $125 billion in investment by 2030 in order to serve growth in the zero-emission transportation sector.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2020

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AI in the Power Sector

Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

By Utility Dive staff

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The Trump administration has rescinded waivers necessary for states to set their own vehicle emission standards, but that hasn't stopped Nevada and others from showing interest.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

Amazon $2B climate pledge draws praise, skepticism as total carbon footprint rises

The venture capital announcement was welcomed by developers in the clean energy space, but Green America said the company's plans are overly vague.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated June 25, 2020

LF Energy announces open source substation project to better handle variable renewables, EVs

CoMPAS should enable grid operators to manage the transition to clean energy, handling fluctuations in supply from renewable resources and demand from electric vehicles, according to LF Energy and its partners on the project.

By Guy Burdick • 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

EnergyHub partners with Vivint Solar as utility incentives for residential energy storage ramp up

"We're seeing double-digit, month-over-month growth in the volume of customers and batteries participating in utility programs," EnergyHub CEO Seth Frader Thompson told Utility Dive.

By Robert Walton • June 18, 2020

Lyft pledges all-EV fleet by 2030

The ride-hailing company said it would work with drivers to transition their cars to electric vehicles, a move it called a "radical shift in strategy."

By Chris Teale • June 18, 2020

This is not the way to move beyond net metering

If NERA succeeds, it will hand control of DER compensation to federal regulators and thereby stymie ongoing state-level efforts to realize DERs' potential benefits, the authors write.

By Justin Gundlach and Burcin Unel • June 18, 2020

California utilities, regulators aim to hasten microgrid deployment ahead of wildfire season

Pacific Gas and Electric plans to have 73 microgrids operational by the end of 2020, which are viewed by California commissioners as part of a multifaceted approach to wildfire preparation.

By Emma Penrod • June 15, 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

DC to investigate distributed resource ownership issues as part of grid modernization effort

Regulators also decided to consider performance-based regulation within Potomac Electric Power's ongoing rate case, drawing concerns that regulators are taking a "piecemeal" approach to grid modernization.

By Robert Walton • 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

Rethinking utility customer engagement in trying times

Utility customer engagement best practices during COVID-19: Tone, type and timing are critical.

By Paul McDonald, Senior Director, Industry Strategy, Opower • 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

24 Congressional Democrats urge FERC to reject net metering overhaul

The proposal is an affront to states' rights as well as a threat to distributed energy compensation policies, senators and representatives wrote.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 28, 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

Blockchain-based renewables and storage initiative in Los Angeles wins $9M state grant

The multi-part project in the San Gabriel Valley looks to provide affordable, locally produced energy to 28,000 residents in a disadvantaged community.

By Chris Teale • May 19, 2020

Energy storage poised to tackle grid challenges from rising EVs as mobile chargers bring new flexibility

Despite the current hit from the coronavirus pandemic, three new reports say the long-term outlook for electric vehicle sales remains strong, with new features likely to stretch the capabilities of the grid.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2020

CPUC finds DERs save on transmission investments, but implementation remains 'the big question'

The California Public Utilities Commission's decision could encourage more local generation, Craig Lewis, founder and executive director of Clean Coalition, told Utility Dive.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 5, 2020

Buildings are huge sources of load flexibility, but what's that worth to utilities? DOE investigates

Buildings account for 75% of U.S. electricity consumption, making them key to an interactive grid, a report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory finds.

By Robert Walton • May 5, 2020

Tesla delays electric semi truck delivery to 2021, citing battery supply issues

CEO Elon Musk said the production schedule slowed as the company needed to increase battery production to serve all its products. 

By S.L. Fuller • May 5, 2020

California eyes expedited microgrid deployment to help with fire season power shut-offs

A Public Utilities Commission proposal would also approve PG&E's plan to deploy 300 MW of temporary generation to power communities during public safety power shut-offs on a short-term basis. 

By Kavya Balaraman • April 30, 2020

Chicago requires new residential, commercial construction include EV charging capabilities

Customer advocates say the new rules make the city a national leader in efforts to increase emissions-free vehicles, and called for similar policies to be adopted across Illinois.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2020