FERC, NERC open inquiry into winter load event that stressed Midwest grids

The inquiry could take on special significance given FERC's open grid resilience proceeding and the looming threat of a coal and nuclear bailout from the White House. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 13, 2018

Washington judge allows PacifiCorp to keep coal study under wraps

The utility has faced pressure from the Sierra Club to publicly reveal an assessment of its coal resources, which PacifiCorp completed last year for Oregon regulators.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2018

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

Outages, coal plant flooding top concerns as utilities brace for Hurricane Florence

Environmental groups are afraid flooding could release toxic coal ash, but utilities say their bigger worry involves cooling ponds at regional power plants. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 12, 2018

McIntyre again defends FERC chief of staff amid political influence concerns

The FERC chairman said his chief of staff is "highly qualified" despite his comments that were widely interpreted as a statement that FERC is working with the White House on a bailout for coal and nuclear generators. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 12, 2018

Southern environmental groups sue TVA over new rates, grid charge

The five groups allege the utility's proposed rate structure discourages distributed energy adoption in order to maximize profits. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 11, 2018

Developers see value in California offshore wind development

Following market growth and big contract price drops along the East Coast, offshore wind developers are taking on floating foundations and the Navy on the West Coast. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 10, 2018

Duke 15-year plans lean heavy on gas to replace coal

Two-thirds of Duke's new capacity through 2033 will be from gas-fired power plants if regulators approve two resource plans submitted by the utility last week. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 10, 2018

Bipartisan senators seek to revive nuclear energy investment

The ambitious agenda of the new bill includes items the Department of Energy could enforce to support the development of advanced nuclear reactors.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 10, 2018

Texas municipality mothballs 470 MW of coal for the winter

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas will have slightly lower capacity in the fall, in part due to the temporary shuttering of a 470 MW coal unit which officials plan to bring online when energy prices are higher. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2018

Ex-GOP FERC chair on coal bailout: 'This too shall pass'

"I just hate that everybody's wasting time worrying about this [stuff]," former Chairman Pat Wood III said of the Trump administration's plan to bail out coal and nuclear generators.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 7, 2018

California ISO board approves measures to propel energy storage, DERs

CAISO's Board of Directors approved changes to how behind-the-meter energy storage resources participate in the ISO and measures to facilitate the use of demand response resources in the wholesale market.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 7, 2018

NextEra aims to reduce CO2 emissions rate 65% by 2021

Claiming one of the lowest emissions profiles of electric companies in North America, NextEra Energy announced a target to lower its rate of emissions 13% beyond reductions achieved since 2001.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 7, 2018

Co-op solar boom raises questions about coal in utility power mixes

A new report by the Rocky Mountain Institute indicates that Tri-State G&T could save its customers $600 million through 2030 by including more renewables in its energy mix, despite its current coal investments.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 6, 2018

Unexpected outages, intense heat behind ISO-NE Labor Day price spike

Real-time prices in New England topped $2600/MWh in the late afternoon Monday, causing the grid operator to access emergency reserves and import power from neighboring regions.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 6, 2018

Massachusetts high court backs state's authority to limit greenhouse gas emissions

The court's ruling means the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection can enforce declining emissions limits described in the state's Global Warming Solutions Act, according to environmental advocates. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2018

APS' irrational war against renewable energy policy creates big risks for investors

Arizona Public Service's unabashed effort to dominate Arizona's politics has put it squarely in the crosshairs, and the company continues to favor gas over renewable energy, unlike many industry peers.

By David Pomerantz • Sept. 5, 2018

Electricity generation drives need for natural gas demand response

A handful of utilities use natural gas demand response to balance their deliveries. Reports suggest greater potential, with one firm saying gas DR could "entirely avoid some price spikes and help improve reliability."

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2018

FERC lets PJM delay next capacity auction from May to August 2019

The decision likely indicates that the federal agency will not rule on capacity market changes for the nation's largest interstate power market before the end of the year. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 5, 2018

A dangerous tipping point for New England's wholesale electricity market

The ISO, policymakers and other regulators need to develop a durable market that provides competitively-priced reliability in the region and enables states to meet their mandates, according to NEPGA president Dan Dolan.

By Dan Dolan • Sept. 5, 2018

States could save $16B annually through energy efficiency policies: report

The federal government's lack of action on efficiency standards is giving states opportunity to step up — a new analysis says energy efficiency policies could mean big savings for consumers by 2035.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2018

EY: Global utility and power sector deals hit $180B in first half of 2018

Renewable energy continues to grow in importance, accounting for 46% of deal volume in the second quarter, EY says.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2018

ISO-NE proposes market bridge to valuing fuel security

The grid operator wants to treat fuel secure resources as "price takers" in its next capacity auction, rejecting two proposed fixes from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 4, 2018

California approves bill to limit utility liability for wildfires, but not CAISO expansion

The state legislature wrapped up the 2018 session by passing bills on electric vehicle infrastructure, battery storage and critical changes for utilities on wildfire liability laws.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 4, 2018

Georgia Power to excavate two more coal ash ponds

The utility will be "completely excavating" two ponds at its Bowen and Branch coal plants, as part of its larger plan to close 29 coal ash facilities across the state. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 4, 2018

Arizona Supreme Court rules 50% renewables initiative will appear on ballot

A utility-backed opposition group says it will now focus on convincing customers to vote against the measure, which would set a 50% renewable portfolio standard.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2018