Time-travel, utility-style: Outlines of the utility of the future appear

Rocky Mountain Institute experts identify price, data and interconnection as the keys to success for the utility of the future, whether it's an expanded monopoly or a distribution system platform.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2018

Carbon tax fails — again — in Washington

Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee says the Senate does not have enough votes to pass the measure, but he expects a price on carbon at some point in Washington's future.

By Robert Walton • March 2, 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

EPA moves to give states more leeway on coal ash

A new proposed rule includes many changes EPA previewed in a November court document, including alterations to groundwater monitoring and protection standards, cleanup and closure rules and location restrictions for ash pits.

By Gavin Bade • March 2, 2018

Transmission fault cuts power to Puerto Rico capital

800,000 residents lost power in the North and East of the country five months after Hurricane Maria destroyed the island's grid.

By Gavin Bade • March 1, 2018

ERCOT predicts record peak demand this summer

A recent spate of coal-retirement announcements are expected to pinch the supply stream during that period, but the grid operator says it will lean on demand response and distributed generation to help meet demand. 

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2018

The 'stealth NOPR?' PJM CEO says market reforms are no bailout for coal

Some experts are concerned pending reforms in the nation’s largest electricity market could have similar results to a Trump administration subsidy plan rejected by federal regulators.

By Gavin Bade • March 1, 2018

NJ regulators to accelerate offshore wind development, launch solicitation process for 1.1 GW

The state has a goal of developing 3,500 MW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, while neighboring New York is targeting 2,400 MW of capacity by the same deadline. 

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2018

IPPs, utilities and greens push PURPA recommendations in Washington state

The recommendations given to the state Utilities and Transportation Commission found common ground between several groups over how it should implement the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 28, 2018

FERC staff: Eversource, Avangrid did not withhold pipeline capacity

An October report from the Environmental Defense Fund asserted the two utilities had artificially constrained capacity on the Algonquin pipeline, driving up power prices in New England.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 28, 2018

PJM: Reliability strong during January cold snap, but pricing reforms needed

The nation's largest electricity market performed well during January's "bomb cyclone," its grid operator said, but a spike in uplift charges reveals the need for pricing reforms. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2018

SEU 2018 survey: Utilities shaken, not moved, by Trump policies

Utility Dive's fifth annual State of the Electric Utility survey shows a sector committed to the clean energy transition, but wary of policies coming out of Washington.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 27, 2018

South Carolina cooperatives sue Santee Cooper over Summer nuke charge

NextEra is said to be considering a bid for the public utility, and it's unclear how the lawsuit would affect that potential merger. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2018

Vectren Indiana to close three coal plants

The utility plans to replace the capacity with solar and natural gas, but plans to keep running the coal plants until after 2023, the deadline for the gas plant to come online if approved. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2018

Duke's North Carolina customers will pay $232M for coal ash cleanup

State regulators slashed Duke Energy's requested rate increase and hit the utility with a $30 million fine, but still allowed customer fixed costs to rise 25%.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2018

NV Energy proposes operating North Valmy coal plant through 2025

Sierra Club says operating both units at the coal-fired North Valmy plant through 2025 could cost consumers $30 million more than renewable energy options.   

By Robert Walton • Feb. 23, 2018

Solving our energy grid problems requires a data sharing economy

Solving energy grid problems in New York, Puerto Rico and beyond will depend on innovative leaders who are willing to foster standards and knowledge sharing, according to Lisa Salley, vice president of Global Industry Services at the American Petroleum Institute.  

By Lisa Salley • Feb. 23, 2018

FirstEnergy CEO says generation subsidiary headed for bankruptcy protection

Chuck Jones said he would be "shocked" if the company's merchant generation business did not file for bankruptcy protection by the end of March.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 23, 2018

California energy agency predicts rising power demand

The California Energy Commission on Feb. 21 released its updated demand forecast, which sees higher consumption driven by electric vehicles and climate change. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 23, 2018

New Orleans City Council moves closer to approving Entergy's gas peaker

The $210 million, 128 MW gas-fired peaker is a smaller version of the utility's original and preferred project.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 22, 2018

Atlantic Coast Pipeline pricetag could reach $6.5B, says Duke CEO

Delays and stringent conditions agreed to as part of the permitting process have driven the project's cost more than 20% higher, Duke CEO Lynn Good said during an earnings call. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 22, 2018

Customer empowerment upheaval forces California into hold on renewables

Customer choice aggregation is sweeping through California, putting almost everything about the state’s already groundbreaking power delivery into doubt.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 22, 2018

Florida PSC staff pushes approval of FPL gas plant over opposition

The commission will vote March 1 on whether to approve a 1,163 MW gas plant — far larger than opponents say is necessary to cover demand.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 22, 2018

EPA moves to reject CT complaint over Brunner Island plant emissions

Connecticut had filed a complaint with the agency arguing that cross-state pollution from the plant was putting it in violation of ground-level ozone standards. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 22, 2018

NRC says Vogtle employees falsified inspection reports, proposes $145K fine

Southern Nuclear, which will have 30 days to either protest or pay the fine, has taken disciplinary action as well as making revisions to procedures, oversight and training.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 21, 2018

LaFleur warns against PJM plan altering 'fundamental' energy market mechanics

The federal regulator said her agency should "think very hard" before it alters which resources can set market prices during an address that also touched on grid resilience and the growth of Western energy markets.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 21, 2018