How market forces are pushing utilities to operate nuclear plants more flexibly

Nuclear plants in Europe follow load; can U.S. plants follow suit?

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2016

Canada plans CA$50/ton carbon tax by 2022 to meet climate goals

Starting at $10/ton in Canadian dollars in 2018, the price will rise to CA$50/ton by 2022 to meet Canada's plan to reduce carbon emissions 30% by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 4, 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

Duke to sell some shares of Atlantic Coast Pipeline project after Piedmont deal

The company completed its acquisition of Piedmont Natural Gas this week.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 4, 2016

The flaws in the utilities' push for residential demand charges

Time-based rates offer far better incentives, argue James Tong and Jon Wellinghoff in this guest post.

By James Tong, Jon Wellinghoff • Oct. 3, 2016

Power sector politics: 5 state energy races to watch this November

Solar incentives and consumer choice dominate down-ballot energy races this cycle. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2016

Nevada task force recommends restoring net metering as PUC welcomes 2 new regulators

Part of a raft of reforms pushed by Gov. Sandoval's New Energy Task Force, the recommendation came just days before two new gubernatorial appointees started work at the state regulatory commission.

By Peter Maloney, Gavin Bade • Oct. 3, 2016

DTE Energy proposes to replace retiring coal with 1 GW of natural gas capacity

If approved by regulators, the projects could cost $1.5 billion and come online between 2021 and 2023.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2016

PNM vows Supreme Court appeal after regulators slash proposed rate hike in half

Public Service of New Mexico wanted a $121 million rate increase, but regulators granted it $61 million.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 30, 2016

FERC approves CAISO ramping product, rejecting calls to make it biddable

The product is designed to help CAISO with more renewable resources and the uncertainty they cause in electricity markets. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 30, 2016

Duke-Piedmont deal clears final regulatory hurdle

The North Carolina Utilities Commission approval was the last hurdle left to move the deal forward. It is expected to close on Monday.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2016

California PUC rejects rehearing on revised net metering policy

California regulators cited insufficient evidence of cross-shifting costs as a big factor in their decision to deny a rehearing. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 29, 2016

Analysis: New York's Clean Energy Standard could pad utility bills by $3.4B

Empire Center, a New York-based non-profit think tank, called the state's Clean Energy Standard a "massive unlegislated tax increase."

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2016

Inside the DC Circuit: What happened at the Clean Power Plan's court hearing

How judges view the EPA’s authority could prove critical as they weigh more than seven hours of arguments.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 28, 2016

Massachusetts floats new solar tariff structure in incentive program redesign

The new program would replace current incentives with tariffs designed to reduce risk and provide more predictable revenue streams for developers.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 28, 2016

DTE joins rush to natural gas, shelling out $1.3B for midstream assets

As Midwest power generation shifts to gas, DTE Energy is buying interest in three midstream companies for $1.3 billion.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 28, 2016

Duke, regulators settle Dan River coal ash spill fine for $6M

State regulators proposed a $6.8 million fine for the coal ash spill, but the utility appealed.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2016

DC Circuit judges grill EPA, industry lawyers in first round of Clean Power Plan hearings

It was difficult to say which side got the better of the first three-and-a-half hours of Clean Power Plan testimony at the D.C. Circuit Tuesday morning. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2016

'Eyes wide open': Despite climate risks, utilities bet big on natural gas

Scientists say the United States can't build much more fossil fuel infrastructure if it wants to meet the Paris climate goals. So why are utilities going all-in on gas?

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2016

Study: Transportation CO2 emissions outpace power sector

As the power sector shifts from coal to gas to cut emissions, transportation takes the No.1 spot as biggest CO2 emitter. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2016

Settlement between bidders, Great Plains Energy opens possibility of bidding war for Westar

The settlement removed provisions in the original process that barred potential bidders from entering a higher bids. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2016

Ohio regulators approve 1,100 MW natural gas plant

Developers of gas-fired projects are rushing to the Buckeye State, which must find a way to replace retiring coal capacity.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2016

Environmentalists challenge FERC's Sabal Trail pipeline approval

The green groups want the courts to overturn approval of a $3.2 billion natural gas pipeline that aims to supply power plants in Florida.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2016

Xcel Energy seeks to add 1,500 MW of wind power

With falling costs and temporary tax assistance, wind is "in the money."

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 23, 2016

House committee votes to lift 2020 deadline on nuclear power tax credit

Plants under construction by Southern Co. and SCANA Corp. are behind schedule and risk losing out on federal assistance if the deadline is not lifted.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 23, 2016

TVA building a 'mountain of ash' to deal with coal waste

The Tennessee Valley Authority is experimenting with a new technology, "intelligent compaction," to form coal ash into impermeable structures.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2016