Sierra Club files antitrust complaint against DTE/Spectra natural gas pipeline plan

The environmental group is challenging the development of a 250-mile pipeline planned to connect the Michigan and Ohio markets. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 21, 2016

DOE: Natural gas, renewables to expand market share through 2050

Renewable energy penetration could reach as much as 59% of total generation by 2050, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 21, 2016

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

FERC revises supply price cap regulations in wholesale power markets

The new rules require a “hard cap” of $2,000/MWh on the incremental energy offers in day-ahead and real-time markets.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 21, 2016

Inside Exelon's last-minute push to save its nukes and remake the Illinois power sector

The Illinois legislature has a week to decide on a far-reaching energy reform bill that also includes coal subsidies and controversial rate design changes.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 18, 2016

Citing cross-state pollution, Maryland pushes EPA to target 19 Midwest coal plants

Maryland officials say the plants have installed pollution scrubbing controls, but do not always use the technology.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2016

IEA: Natural gas, renewables poised to meet global demand by 2040 as coal, oil stagnate

Worldwide gas consumption will rise by 50% by 2040, according to a new analysis from the International Energy Agency.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2016

FERC dismisses co-ops' case against Maryland community solar program

FERC did not rule on the merits, saying the petition was premature because tariffs have not yet been filed with state regulators. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 17, 2016

New York approves sale of FitzPatrick nuke from Entergy to Exelon

The deal was contingent on nuclear credits through the state's Clean Energy Standard being approved, but still faces regulatory hurdles.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2016

Exelon's Illinois energy bill greeted by vociferous opposition

Critics decried the inclusion of capacity payments for coal plants and residential demand charges. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 17, 2016

FirstEnergy pushes for rehearing of subsidy proposal

FirstEnergy says a financial support package approved by regulators needs to be more than twice as large to cover capital projects and ensure access to financial markets. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2016

NARUC after Trump: Utility regulators see a 'whole new world' for fossil fuels

Persistently low gas prices could create an 'existential crisis' in wholesale power markets, utility regulators said at their annual conference this week. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 16, 2016

Report: 750 GW of coal scrapped in recent years as fuel declines globally

In the first half of this year, 150 GW of coal projects were canceled globally, highlighting the rapid decline in the industry.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2016

Dayton P&L lobbies Ohio lawmakers for bill to streamline rate increases

Ohio utilities have tried numerous avenues to win support for struggling generation and are now considering pressing for re-regulation of the state's energy markets as well. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2016

ERCOT: Gas generation falls to 36% of state power mix in October

Natural gas' share of the mix is down from nearly half in August, but wind power made up most of the difference.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2016

Microsoft signs 237 MW wind deal in Wyoming

The deal gives local utility Black Hills the ability to draw from Microsoft's natural backup generators, avoiding building another power plant to serve the company's data center. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 15, 2016

Report: Exelon Illinois nuclear bill could subsidize Dynegy coal plants

Recent revisions could include language to raise capacity payments to coal facilities, according to a local media report.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2016

Private developer wins Bellefonte nuke plant for $111M at auction

Nuclear Development LLC, owned by developer Franklin Haney, plans to invest $13 billion to complete the facility. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2016

Trump administration unlikely to expand EPA's methane rules

Some new rules have already been finalized, but experts say Trump will have wide authority to roll back regulations on the gas sector.   

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2016

Duke to cap two-thirds of coal ash basins in North Carolina

But environmentalists say the utility wants to leave most of the ash in place rather than excavating it, potentially contaminating groundwater. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2016

Exelon to shift course on legislation to save Illinois nukes in wake of Trump presidency

President-elect Trump's promise to throw out the Clean Power Plan has removed a key part of Exelon's economic rationale to preserve its Illinois nuclear fleet. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 14, 2016

PJM market monitor pushes capacity market changes to enhance efficiency

Several municipal utilities, environmental groups and rural electric co-ops have questioned PJM's capacity market structure, resulting in new recommendations. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 14, 2016

California county files community choice aggregation plan

The latest filing highlights a trend among communities desiring to take charge of their own energy supply. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 14, 2016

Trump insider: New administration won't attack renewable energy

The president-elect will halt climate activities but not move to revoke wind and solar subsidies, according to a major Trump financial contributor who said he is a member of the transition team.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 11, 2016

Ohio regulators approve AEP plan to retire 1,500 MW of coal generation

Environmentalists hailed the decision, including provisions that will bring at least 900 MW of clean energy projects online in the next four years.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2016

Energy stocks respond dramatically to Trump win

Shares of renewable and coal stocks responded quickly and with volatility to Trump's presidential win.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 11, 2016