TVA eyes Tennessee site for small modular nuclear reactor test facility

The Tennessee Valley Authority is pursuing its proposal to build small modular nuclear reactors, with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff set to issue an outline for proceedings for an early site permit for the project. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 12, 2016

Civil Rights Commission eyes North Carolina coal ash in environmental justice probe

The Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was at a hearing in North Carolina last week focused on the impacts of coal ash on predominantly low-income, minority communities. 

By Shalina Chatlani • April 12, 2016

'Straight uphill': Power sector reforms face tough path in gridlocked Illinois legislature

Three utility-backed bills to support, nuclear generation, renewables and efficiency did not pass in the last session of the General Assembly. Stakeholders are now trying to role them into a single law.

By Peter Maloney • April 12, 2016

Aquion battery to meet overnight needs of Puerto Rican solar farm

An Aquion battery is being deployed at a 16 MW Puerto Rican solar farm to meet overnight needs.

By Peter Maloney • April 11, 2016

EIA: Waste-to-energy plants concentrated in Florida, Northeast

The United States has about 2.3 GW of waste-to-energy capacity, with most of that concentrated in Florida and the Northeast.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2016

Moody's: Cheap gas could pressure coal, nuclear plants into retirement

In a new report, the rating's agency said lower natural gas prices have "devastated" the merchant power sector.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2016

SolarCity closes $150M securitization for commercial solar+storage

SolarCity continued a string of securitizations with a $150-million financing from Credit Suisse.

By Peter Maloney • April 8, 2016

Dynegy CEO: AEP won't sell plants to those who opposed Ohio subsidy proposals

Dynegy CEO Bob Flexon said American Electric Power has shut the company out of an upcoming sale of Ohio power assets.

By Robert Walton • April 8, 2016

Georgia Power seeks to build more nuclear

Southern CEO Tom Fanning has suggested a public-private partnership with the federal government could help new nuclear plants be constructed.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2016

Vermont officials eye buying hydro dams from TransCanada

TransCanada is selling its New England generation unit, including hydroelectric dams on the Connecticut and Deerfield rivers.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2016

Montana governor wants working group to decide Colstrip coal plant's fate

Gov. Steve Bullock (D) will form a working group to consider "alternative" ownership of the units, which are now controlled by out-of-state parties.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2016

Massachusetts Supreme Court to consider rule allowing utilities to own pipeline capacity

Last year, Massachusetts regulators allowed electric utilities to enter long-term contracts for gas supply, a move necessary to help finance pipelines proposed by Kinder Morgan and Spectra.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2016

'Wake up worrying': NextEra-Hawaiian Electric merger in doubt as regulators near decision time

NextEra's bid to buy Hawaiian Electric has failed to inspire state energy stakeholders, but the merger proceeding isn't a popularity contest.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2016

After PUCO approval, AEP, FirstEnergy await FERC's approval for plant subsidy agreements

Signoff from Ohio regulators was the biggest hurdle, but now FirstEnergy and American Electric Power must convince federal regulators that the plant income gaurantees are a good idea.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2016

Oklahoma utility tries third time to get scrubbers for the Sooner coal plant

But at a hearing this week before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, environmental advocates said they wanted to see wind and solar replace coal generation.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2016

Report: California customers may face 14 days of blackouts from low gas supplies

Southern California Gas and San Diego Gas & Electric have asked for strict restrictions on gas nominations heading into the peak summer season, while California officials warn customers in the region could face 14 days of controlled, localized blackouts as gas supplies run low. 

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2016

Kemper coal gasification plant costs rise $18M

Originally expected to cost $2.8 billion, the plant's pricetag has risen to almost three times that amount to $6.6 billion

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2016

Electric Fuel Energy of Israel claims over 10 hour discharge for its iron flow battery

Electric Fuel Energy says its iron flow battery is safer than other chemistries and could reduce overall costs.

By Peter Maloney • April 5, 2016

EIA: Natural gas plant utilization topped coal in 2015

The capacity factor of the U.S. natural gas combined-cycle fleet averaged 56% in 2015, just barely above the 55% notched by coal steam plants.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2016

Bernie Sanders wants to wean the US off nukes, starting with Indian Point

Senator Bernie Sanders is the only Presidential candidate calling for an end to nuclear energy, which currently supplies about 20% of the United States' energy demand.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2016

Clean Power Plan sees diverse support in court filings, including utilities

From renewable advocates to tech giants and candy makers, the Obama administration's signature climate change rule has a wide range of supporters in court.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2016

Wisconsin governor lifts new nuclear moratorium

The new law allows utility regulators to approve nuclear power plants ahead of “nonrenewable combustible energy resources”

By Herman K. Trabish • April 5, 2016

SunEdison's financial woes could scuttle storage deal with Imergy in India

SunEdison's financial troubles could threaten Imergy's battery roll-out in India.

By Peter Maloney • April 4, 2016

How DOE is leveraging federal authority to ease transmission development

The Dept. of Energy is exercising powers that allow it to speed siting and construction of interstate transmission, but not everyone is pleased.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 4, 2016

Report: 2015 simulated grid attack revealed communication sharing problems

Among the report's findings, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation is calling for enhanced information sharing and communication capabilities.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2016