Interactive: Wind turbines are getting more powerful as 'specific power' declines

The new 2017 Wind Technologies Market Report, prepared by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and released by the U.S. Department of Energy, shows a trend in turbines that do better in lower wind speeds.

By Ryan Wiser, Mark Bolinger, Ben Hoen and Bentham Paulos • Aug. 23, 2018

Court ruling a setback for EPA efforts to undermine coal ash rule

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit concluded Obama-era coal ash rules, which the Trump administration seeks to weaken, did not go far enough to protect the environment.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 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

Dems question FERC over chief of staff role in coal, nuke bailout

Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Frank Pallone say statements made by FERC Chief of Staff Anthony Pugliese "call into question the impartiality and independence of the Commission."

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 23, 2018

DTE begins work on $1B Michigan gas plant

The Blue Water Energy Center will help replace three coal-fired plants DTE Energy plans to retire by 2023.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2018

EPA's new ACE rule is a coal lifeline 'disguised as a GHG regulation,' critics say

Changes to the EPA's New Source Review process could allow coal plants to stay open longer — if operators choose them over cleaner technologies.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 22, 2018

California legislators smooth closure path for state's last nuclear plant

The state assembly approved legislation that clears the way for closure of Diablo Canyon, providing $350 million for an employee retention fund and $85 million to make up for lost property taxes, among other provisions.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 22, 2018

Duke moves to stop FirstEnergy Solutions from exiting Ohio co-op

Consumer advocates worry that a bankruptcy court decision allowing FES to withdraw from the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation, which operates a pair of coal plants, could raise prices for retail consumers.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2018

EPA moves to replace Clean Power Plan with modest carbon regulations

The proposed Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule would require minor efficiency improvements at some coal plants and give states more latitude to set their own emissions standards.

By Gavin Bade • Updated Aug. 21, 2018

Montana developer eyes PURPA contracts for 320 MW of wind, 640 MWh of storage

Caithness Beaver Creek wants to build four 80 MW wind projects paired with 40 MW/160 MWh batteries, but couldn’t come to an agreement with utility Northwestern Energy over capacity payments.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 21, 2018

Updated NRC cybersecurity guidance highlights printers, copiers as hacker entry points

Attackers can use such devices as staging points to collect sensitive information, establish a persistent presence for later attacks or penetrate deeper into the defensive architecture, the commission says.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2018

BTM storage is booming in Ontario

A flurry of energy storage projects highlights opportunities for large industrial customers to reduce a costly rate structure established in 2005.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 20, 2018

Trump expected to roll out Clean Power Plan replacement this week

The modest emissions regulation could actually increase greenhouse gas pollution by allowing coal plants to run more often.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 20, 2018

Michigan coal closures prod small muni to go 100% renewables

The largest utilities in the state are phasing out coal, leaving smaller power providers scrambling to replace the energy they deliver.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2018

Construction pause gives momentum to Atlantic Coast Pipeline legal challenges

Opponents filed a new lawsuit, asking courts to review FERC's decision regarding the project's necessity, after federal regulators ordered a stop to the pipeline's construction.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2018

Generators, electric utilities spar over pipeline funding in FERC fuel security docket

Rebuffed by state decisions, utilities want FERC to allow them to charge electricity customers for new pipeline development. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 20, 2018

Xcel strikes deal for 240 MW of BTM solar to support steel mill expansion

The landmark behind-the-meter construction will allow EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel to lock in electricity prices through 2041.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 20, 2018

Potential buyer would operate Navajo Generating Station at less than half capacity

Middle River Power is considering taking over the giant Arizona coal plant and loosely sketched its plans for regulators. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2018

Ontario develops largest BTM storage system in North America

The system highlights opportunities for addressing Ontario's high demand charges.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 16, 2018

FirstEnergy takes reluctant step toward 3 nuclear plant closures

Still hoping for state support that would keep the plants running, the utility is planning to shutter two nuclear plants in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2018

Modernizing renewables mandates is no longer about the megawatts

While renewables mandates have been successful and cost effective, studies show evolving power systems should focus on decreasing peak demand and cutting emissions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 16, 2018

PacifiCorp, Sierra Club head to court over confidential coal fleet study

A study produced for Sierra Club concludes the utility could save nearly $700 million by shutting down 11 of its 24 coal units and replacing the power on the open market.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2018

PJM prepares new capacity repricing rule in response to FERC order

The RTO is considering a resource specific carve-out, or "ReCO," as an alternative to the minimum offer price rule that FERC rejected.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 16, 2018

Powering California's future: What role does natural gas play as we move toward nearly GHG-free electricity?

The core issue is that natural gas is present in the state's 2030 electric portfolio, even in the most aggressive emissions reduction scenarios, CPUC Commissioner Liane M. Randolph says.

By Liane M. Randolph • Aug. 16, 2018

California Senate appropriations committee takes up ISO regionalization bill

State policymakers have been pushing hard for a regional market that would encompass all the western states for years, but opponents have been pushing just as hard to kill the bill.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 15, 2018

PJM asks FERC to delay 2019 capacity market auction

If FERC cannot deliver a final decision on market reforms before January, the grid operator said it will need to delay its capacity auction from May to August of next year. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 15, 2018