Duke Energy: Combined cycle gas units cheaper than expected

Installed capacity costs for combined cycle gas facilities are now commonly below $1,000/kW.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 2015

Texas grid sets new electricity demand record

For the first time in the history of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, hourly demand soared above 69,000 MW.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 2015

PJM: Power plant retirements under draft carbon rules could threaten reliability

Analysis by PJM Interconnection, albeit based on the draft rules, shows compliance with the Clean Power Plan could threaten grid reliability under some scenarios.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 2015

EPA plans to fix MATS rule by spring 2016

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected portions of the EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, but the agency said it can show a cost-benefit analysis that justifies the rule by mid-April.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 2015

Texas heat pushes ERCOT to break electricity demand records

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas set three demand records in two days last week, in the midst of a lengthy heat wave last week.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 10, 2015

Energy Future Holdings taps Hunt consortium to buy Oncor

A consortium of investors headed by Hunt Consolidated will purchase Oncor out of bankruptcy in a deal expected to be upwards of $18 billion. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 10, 2015

Filings reveal Hawaiian Electric hired NextEra as fuels consultant on controversial LNG project

An acquisition agreement filed with regulators in Hawaii shows HECO must confer with NextEra, which is purchasing the utility for more than $4 billion, on a range of issues.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 10, 2015

Opposition to Clean Power Plan eyes courts as only viable route to repeal EPA rule

Opponents of the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan are gearing up for a court fight, saying Congress can do little to turn back the rules now.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 10, 2015

Dynegy slams AEP and FirstEnergy in Ohio re-regulation battle

A return to regulated rates in Ohio would simply help the weakest generators, according to Dynegy CEO Bob Flexon.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 10, 2015

How renewable energy can save utilities money

Former Colorado regulators Ron Binz and Ron Lehr reveal how one utility saved money by investing in wind and solar.

By Ron Binz and Ron Lehr • Aug. 10, 2015

Dominion CEO predicts gap in renewables development from 2017 to 2020

But once states begin setting their Clean Power Plan compliance strategies, credits could essentially double, according to the CEO.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 10, 2015

We Energies asks regulators to block other utilities' power plant proposals

We Energies has proposed selling its own excess power to other utilities, as it claims it has an oversupply.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 10, 2015

Judge: SCE violated rules in talks with regulators over SONGS

Fines for ex parte communications on the San Onofre closure could reach $34 million.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 10, 2015

Is 28% renewables by 2030 possible without the wind PTC?

Wind’s capability to provide its share may hinge on whether Congress extends its tax credit.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 8, 2015

Will the Clean Power Plan actually change anything in the power sector?

Critics have been hammering the plan all week for being too modest in its emissions goals. Do they have a point?

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 7, 2015

Clean Power Plan compliance options could drive states to join RGGI

Northeast states may find Clean Power Plan compliance easier if they join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 7, 2015

NRG expects 2016 startup for Texas carbon capture coal plant

Once operational, the project will capture about 90% of carbon emissions from the 240-MW WA Parish coal facility.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 7, 2015

Newly planned 900 MW gas plant will help meet ISO-NE capacity concerns

The 900 MW facility would be the most efficient in New England, project developer said.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 6, 2015

Duke Energy misses earnings, spending on new nuclear plant remains slow

The utility is continuing to develop the Lee nuclear facility in South Carolina, but lower demand growth has slowed the process and spending has ground to a halt.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 6, 2015

The other death spiral utilities are beginning to deal with

Key corporate customers are clamoring for more renewables, and will get it from someone else if the utility won't provide. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 6, 2015

DOE funds research to use CO2, rather than steam, in coal plants

Supercritical CO2 power cycles are seen as crucial for new and modified coal plants to meet the EPA's new source pollution standards, released this week. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 6, 2015

Devil's in the details: What's in the EPA's final Clean Power Plan

The EPA made significant changes to state baselines, efficiency, nuclear power and more, but its biggest move could be the release of a federal implementation plan.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 5, 2015

Entergy: Industrial sales decline, but new growth on the way

Billed volumes declined, but the integrated energy company said new industrial and expansion projects which came online last quarter will help boost demand.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 5, 2015

Efficiency block cut in final Clean Power Plan designed to ease legal worries

Conventional wisdom has the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan eventually landing in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. But experts say the final regulations appear to have been tweaked to survive just such a challenge.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 5, 2015

Ameren scraps plans for new Missouri nuke

The company said long-term demand forecasts and the declining cost of alternative generation were partially behind the decision.  

By Robert Walton • Aug. 4, 2015