Obama touts clean energy growth, promises fossil fuel extraction reform in State of the Union

The president took on climate change doubters in his final State of the Union address Tuesday night and promised to reform policies allowing for the extraction of fossil fuels on federal lands. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 13, 2016

How a new business model could get the Puerto Rico public utility out of debt

The only way PREPA can save itself is to find a path to lower cost electricity, but any restructuring deal is bound up in the politics of both the island and Capitol Hill.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2016

Dynegy offers natural gas alternative to FirstEnergy, AEP plant subsidy proposals

Dynegy has joined Exelon in attempting to undermine proposals from FirstEnergy and AEP to guarantee income at struggling coal and nuclear plants. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2016

Arch Coal bankruptcy not expected to harm Minnesota utilities

Despite confidence in their coal supply and stores, at least one analyst says Minnesota utilities need to prepare for a future when coal deliveries are uncertain.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2016

Oncor CEO, former Texas Gov. express concerns over Hunt plan to restructure utility

As regulators consider the proposed acquisition of Oncor Electric Delivery by Hunt Consolidated for an estimated $18 billion, lobbying is still going on in the pages of The Dallas Morning News.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2016

Dominion Virginia Power commits $700M to solar in long-term resource plan

Virginia regulators use regulatory process to push the utility toward a bigger resource mix. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2016

EIA: Gas drives wholesale power prices lower, but coal likely retains generation lead

Increased use of natural gas for electricity generation pushed wholesale power prices significantly lower across the U.S. in 2015, but EIA says it likely hasn't yet eclipsed coal's leading role in the American fuel mix.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2016

West Virginia utilities mull divergent approaches to power mixes in IRPs

Four West Virginia utilities have filed integrated resource plans, making public for the first time their plans for the state's power production. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2016

Oregon utility developing microgrids to bid into ISO markets, enhance reliability

The Oregon Department of Energy awarded Eugene Water & Electric Board almost $300,000 for a pilot project designed to show the benefits of microgrids and energy storage. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2016

Solar moves ahead of wind, hydro in California fuel mix, toward 10% of state's power

Huge growth in the sector, along with a hydro-hampering drought, means that solar now accounts for more generation than any other reneawble resource in California. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 12, 2016

Alabama officials bet on judicial stay, delay Clean Power Plan compliance

An Alabama official told Bloomberg BNA that the state believes the law's implementation will be blocked and it has delayed work on a compliance plan.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2016

Wisconsin lawmakers set to vote on bill lifting nuclear plant moratorium

A measure to loosen restrictions on building new nuclear capacity has been placed on the Wisconsin Assembly's legislative calendar for Tuesday.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 11, 2016

Vermont regulators approve new line to bring Canadian renewables to New England

The New England Clean Power Link will carry 1,000 MW of capacity under Lake Champlain.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 11, 2016

Critics question Nebraska public power model as study predicts climbing prices

Cheap gas has meant Nebraska gets less revenue for sales to other states, and environmental regulations are expected to raise prices in the future.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 11, 2016

Solar and wind comprise 61% of 2015 capacity additions, gas contributes 35%

A combination of wind, gas and solar generation made up 96% of new capacity added last year, according to SNL.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 11, 2016

California muni ditches San Juan plant ownership to be coal free by the end of 2017

California municipal utility Silicon Valley Power is divesting 51 MW of coal generation in favor of natural gas and renewables to meet the state's 50%-by-2030 renewables mandate. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 8, 2016

Constitutional challenge likely in fight over Dominion rate freeze

Critics say a five-year rate freeze lobbied for by Dominion could cost consumers an extra $1 billion and they are threatening to take the issue to the top court in Virginia. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2016

Nevada casinos say exit fees could prevent their defection from NV Energy

Staff of the Public Utilities Commission say penalties for three major casinos intending to leave Nevada Power's service are legal, but at least one says the pricetag "effectively denied" its plan.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2016

ERCOT mulls changes to scarcity adder, price caps

The grid operator for much of Texas is considering changes to a price adder designed to ensure sufficiency capacity is available, after an apparent glitch last summer.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2016

Ohio Supreme Court hears arguments on FirstEnergy rate case

The Ohio Supreme Court heard arguments this week into whether state regulator's erred in approving the utility's current rate plan.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2016

NRG opposes expanding RGGI for Clean Power Plan compliance

In comments as part of an ongoing review of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, NRG has suggested states drop the program in favor of "independent state measure plans" to comply with the federal government's Clean Power Plan.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2016

Coal power declines in Southwest Power Pool, aided by cheap gas, wind

Last year, coal accounted for just over half of generation in the Southwest Power Pool, compared with 62% two years prior.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2016

Nuclear opponents continue fight against Palisades plant in Michigan

Opponents say there is evidence expensive and difficult improvements are needed to continue operating the plant safely.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2016

What utilities need to know about solar growth after the ITC extension

With policy support now certain into the 2020s, solar offers utilities a wide range of price-competitive opportunities for utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 7, 2016

Georgia Power, contractors finalize settlement over Vogtle nuke construction

Construction of the new generation near Waynesboro, Ga., is progressing well and will meet current inservice dates of June 2019 for Unit 3 and June 2020 for Unit 4, officials said.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2016