Florida utility battles pit solar advocates against natural gas expansion

A left-right political coalition has formed to pressure the state's utilities to invest in more solar, rather than natural gas.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 8, 2015

Northern long-eared bat designated as threatened, requiring power sector mitigations

Ruling protects transmission reliability maintenance and mitigated wind production

By Herman K. Trabish • April 8, 2015

Why utilities could soon face massive load defection, and how they can prevent it

A new study from the Rocky Mountain Institute shows that in coming decades millions of customers will be able to get off the grid completely, and that spells trouble for utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 7, 2015

Grid 'stable' after outages hit Washington, DC and Maryland

Conflicting reports emerged over the source of the outage, which caused 200-500 MW of outages and about 2000 MW of generation to go offline, according to PJM.

By Gavin Bade and Davide Savenije • April 7, 2015

Inside the utility industry's 2015 playbook

As utilities push for favorable federal and state policies, critics say the industry is shifting risk to consumers and limiting their options.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2015

NERC: EPA carbon rules could lead to power shortages

Some 60 GW of generation could be forced offline in the coming years, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2015

Duke Energy Florida proposes 500 MW of utility-scale solar

The proposal is a part of Duke's 10-year plan in the Sunshine State.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2015

Midwest regulators to FERC: Clean Power Plan is too much, too soon

Regional grid operators MISO and PJM say collaboration is the key to cost-effective compliance.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2015

As N.C. regulators finalize plan, Duke could begin cleaning coal ash this summer

Removals at Riverbend and Dan River aim to set a new national standard

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2015

DOE: Wind could provide 35% U.S. electricity by midcentury

That much wind growth could decrease power prices in the long term.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 2, 2015

World solar PV grew 26% in 2014, now more than 1% of electricity globally

Annual growth was only 2.9% higher than 2013, and the European market is fading.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 2, 2015

Why it can take so long to get rooftop solar connected to the grid

A new study on interconnection reveals that utilities and installers can both do more to cut delays.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 2, 2015

PJM may consider hourly pricing as generators lobby for market changes

PJM Interconnection is the only major market to not allow hourly pricing of physical generation.

By Robert Walton • April 2, 2015

CPUC set to vote on new SDG&E gas plant, critics see storage as alternative

California regulators could vote next week on the utility's proposal to build a new plant to replace generation lost in the San Onofre closing.

By Robert Walton • April 2, 2015

Three trends that get the grid to 70% renewables by mid-century

System operators and renewables builders have new metrics, new rules, and a new vision of the electricity delivery system.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 1, 2015

Another Southern Co. subsidiary buys into Oklahoma wind

Southern Power buys 299 MW wind project, brings its renewables portfolio to 970 MW.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 1, 2015

AEP says regulators should hurry with plant subsidy decision

Delaying a decision on power purchase agreements threatens their value to customers, the utility says.

By Robert Walton • April 1, 2015

Settlement money from Duke Edwardsport case funds storage research

$1 million in Edwardsport settlement money will be invested to research renewables integration and resiliency capabilities of behind-the-meter batteries.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 31, 2015

Ohio regulators ask lawmakers not to hamper Clean Power Plan implementation

Mandates will be crucial to compliance with the EPA Clean Power Plan.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 31, 2015

FERC OKs sale of Duke's Midwest generation to Dynegy

Federal regulators had delayed signing off due competitive concerns, but last week approved the Duke-Dynegy deal.

By Robert Walton • March 31, 2015

How APS, APPA, and NRECA would design a 'blank' electricity market

A new project from SEPA allows utilities and other energy stakeholders to design the "51st State."

By Gavin Bade • March 30, 2015

N.C. Senate approves Duke generation purchase from NCEMPA

The governor reportedly wants to sign the bill into law before the Easter break.

By Robert Walton • March 26, 2015

New Hampshire bill would remove barriers for utility-owned rooftop solar

What was first a bill to boost net metering has been transformed after utility input, critics say.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 26, 2015

Feds greenlight first utility-owned U.S. offshore wind project

Dominion Virginia's offshore pilot project could be generating by 2017, laying the groundwork for further development. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 26, 2015

Supreme Court appears divided over MATS rule

The debate centers on just one phrase in the Clean Air Act.

By Robert Walton • March 26, 2015