EIA: Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions declined 12% in 2015

After increases in 2013 and in 2014, the U.S. Energy Information Administration says carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector declined 12% last year.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2016

Construction manufacturer Caterpillar enters microgrid and storage market

Caterpillar has launched microgrid suite that combines solar, storage and Caterpillar generators.

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2016

Facing potential blackouts, California regulators boost efficiency spending for low-income communities

The Aliso Canyon gas storage leak has left residents in some parts of California facing possible blackouts this summer if generators run short on fuel, causing California regulators to take steps to protect low-income communities. 

By Robert Walton • May 9, 2016

TVA to sell unfinished Bellefonte Nuclear Plant

The Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors last week voted to declare the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant as surplus, and the utility will now begin preparing for an auction.

By Robert Walton • May 9, 2016

SEC investigates Mississippi Power over Kemper costs

Costs for the Kemper coal gasificiation plant are closing in on $7 billion, prompting the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to launch an investigation.

By Robert Walton • May 9, 2016

ComEd jumps on the demand charge train with new Illinois proposal

Residential demand charges have been most popular in the Southwest, but the Chicago-based utility features them prominently in a new legislative push.

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2016

Updated: Exelon says 2 nuke plants on the line in sweeping new Illinois energy bill

The Next Generation Energy Plan, announced yesterday, would touch virtually every aspect of the state's power industry. Without it, Exelon plans to retire two challenged nuclear plants.

By Peter Maloney • May 6, 2016

GE deploys first of its latest fast-ramping gas engine in US to support renewables

The 51 MW project in Texas uses a new GE engine that can start in just minutes and is 49% efficient.

By Robert Walton • May 6, 2016

TVA to start 2nd unit at Watts Bar nuclear plant, first new US reactor in 20 years

The Tennessee Valley Authority is also seeking information on renewable energy projects to satisfy plans for more than 5,000 MW of solar and wind.

By Robert Walton • May 6, 2016

NRC demands re-analysis of safety data at Entergy's Indian Point

New York officials hailed the decision as a major step forward in their bid to close the plant.

By Robert Walton • May 6, 2016

'Outnumbered and outgunned,' Dynegy seeks additional coal closures

Hybrid markets that mix competitive generators with utilities do not work, according to Dynegy CEO Robert Flexon.

By Robert Walton • May 6, 2016

CA companies Verengo, Swell companies team up for residential solar-plus-storage

Verengo Solar and Swell Energy is the latest partnership aiming to penetrate the market for residential energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • May 5, 2016

Massachusetts lawmakers mull 2,000 MW offshore wind mandate

Two state lawmakers are working with developers to craft a bill that could come by the end of the month.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2016

ERCOT: Summer reserves shrink, but forecasts indicate enough supply

A hot summer, low wind and generator outages could cause operating reserves to drop below target levels, the grid operator said.

By Robert Walton • May 5, 2016

Report: Dynegy's retirement of coal units marks 100 GW of US coal shuttered since 2010

The decision marks a significant milestone for the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign.

By Robert Walton • May 5, 2016

AEP looks to salvage plant subsidy deal after FERC decision

The utility now seeks income guarantees only for generation it controls, but doesn't own, as it seeks to sell off its Ohio power plants.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2016

Dominion maps out more solar, nuclear operating license extensions in IRP

Other parts of the utility's 15-year plan call for more gas as well as a demandside management program capable of reducing peak load by 330 MW.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2016

Puerto Rico energy storage project tests load shifting capabilities of hybrid batteries

An energy storage project in Puerto Rico will test the ability of hybrid batteries to shift load in response to the territory's storage mandate. 

By Peter Maloney • May 3, 2016

Oklahoma utility proposes demand charges to cover distributed energy costs

Oklahoma Gas & Electric is seeking approval to change its rate structure in order to adapt to accommodate distributed resources.

By Peter Maloney • May 3, 2016

Alabama officials urge TVA to sell unfinished Bellefonte nuclear plant

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and Sen. Richard Shelby are reportedly pressing the Tennessee Valley Authority to sell the unfinished Bellefonte Nuclear Plant.

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2016

Conservative groups work to chill state funding for Clean Power Plan

At least seven states have passed or are considering measures to restrict spending on Clean Power Plan efforts while the rule is locked up in the courts.

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2016

Turkey Point nuclear plant canal leaks spark more scrutiny over plans for new units

"It wasn't a good site way back in the early 1970s, and it hasn't become a better site,” said one opponent of Florida Power and Light's plan to add two new units at Turkey Point, 25 miles from Miami.

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2016

FirstEnergy, critics file for rehearing in Ohio power plant subsidy case

FirstEnergy wants to pull the PPAs while maintaining monthly surcharges as part of its rate plan, which would avoid FERC's review. Environmental advocates and rival generators want the case thrown out altogether.

By Gavin Bade, Robert Walton • May 3, 2016

Ohio utilities look to re-regulate market with plant subsidies under FERC scrutiny

With federal regulators putting recent Ohio power deals under additional scrutiny, observers expect American Electric Power and FirstEnergy to ask lawmakers in the state to do away with the deregulated market for generation.

By Robert Walton • May 2, 2016

Dominion defends hefty investment on potential Virginia nuclear unit

Constructing a third unit at Dominion's North Anna facility could cost more than $19 billion, and the utility is spending hundreds of millions before committing to the project, which may not be completed. 

By Robert Walton • May 2, 2016