Michigan utilities warn of capacity shortfall

The state is potentially short about 3 GW of power next year.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2015

California PUC judge rejects gas plant contract, tells SDG&E to seek clean energy instead

The decision may be an early sign of how the post-Peevey CPUC will act.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2015

Minnesota regulators rule Xcel cannot profit on nuclear plant upgrade cost overruns

Utility will lose $24 million a year but will recover equipment replacement costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2015

PG&E faces questions over Diablo Canyon nuclear plant earthquake safety

$842 million upgrade may have failed to meet Fukushima-level standards.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2015

Xcel asks regulators to change community solar rules in Minnesota

The utility got over 400 applications for solar garden arrays in less than 3 months.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2015

What SunEdison's big buy into battery storage could offer utilities

Solar and wind power plants with storage means a new value proposition for utilities and independent power producers.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2015

EIA: Utility-scale solar production doubled last year

And those numbers don't even include behind-the-meter solar projects. 

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2015

West Virginia governor signs bill giving state legislators approval over EPA compliance plan

The move drew praise from clean coal supporters.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2015

Drawing controversy, solar net metering study finds $2M cost shift in Louisiana

Solar advocates call utility-funded study “biased.”

By Herman K. Trabish • March 6, 2015

Utilities worry low snowpack could hurt Washington state hydro output

It's not lower precipitation but a warmer winter which has reduced snowpack.

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2015

Alaska legislators consider bill to 'level playing field' between IPPs, utilities

The state has spent more than $200 million in the past three years on generation infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2015

PJM: Regional CPP compliance with carbon price cheaper than state action

At a CO2 price of $20/ton, a combined-cycle unit’s running costs will increase by $7-$8/MWh, according to PJM.

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2015

SolarCity moves into New Mexico, its 16th state

The biggest U.S. installer will market to PNM customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2015

CA bill would let non-utilities sell electricity to commercial, industrial customers

SB 286 worries utilities and ratepayer advocates, but tech companies back it.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2015

Inside California's plans to jump-start community solar development

The California community solar market could be huge if regulators don’t make it unaffordable and unpredictable.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2015

What's behind solar price variability, and why utilities get the best deals

Solar prices can vary widely, but research shows the most informed customers always seem to stay ahead of the curve.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2015

Dynegy 'very interested' if AEP sells merchant generation fleet

The utility has other power purchase agreements pending, but would have to show better benefits to consumers.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2015

ERCOT: Texas will have sufficient generation for spring, summer

Under the most extreme circumstances, the grid operator could be forced to schedule power outages.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2015

Gov. Walker's Wisconsin budget discontinues support for biofuels research

A budget cut of matching funds puts millions in federal support in jeopardy.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 3, 2015

Cape Wind president endorses coalition pushing new offshore wind policy

National Grid and Eversource, now out of Cape Wind PPAs, are eyeing new natural gas.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2015

Peevey influence tied to controversial Pio Pico gas plant about to go online

Released emails show that Peevey dined with utility executives and rallied support for the plant's approval.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2015

Michigan still struggling with partial deregulation scheme

Should the state remove caps on an energy choice program, or eliminate it altogether?

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2015

Moderate Senate Democrats introduce clean coal support bill

A similar bill failed last year, The Hill reports, but could it get new life in a GOP Congress?

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2015

Renewables boost earnings at NRG

The company's NRG Renew segment posted adjusted earnings of $55 million.

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2015

Panel: Oklahoma wind industry needs greater transparency

Some want to end tax credits for the industry, saying they are benefiting other states rather than Oklahoma.

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2015