Morningstar: ISO New England utilities burning more oil than expected

Oil burn is only showing up if it is the primary fuel, Morningstar said, and utilities have burned half their winter stockpiles.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 6, 2015

Why community solar is exploding in Minnesota

Community solar is a huge opportunity for utilities, but it also demands they do solar right.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 5, 2015

Missouri Co-op to build state's first community solar array

Two-thirds of co-op members surveyed wanted a shared solar option.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2015

Should Duke or consumers pay escalating Edwardsport costs?

Duke says the new gasification technology needs time and support, but consumer advocates aren't buying it.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2015

Kemper IGCC plant costs escalate by another $45M

The original $2.4 billion cost estimate for the innovative coal gasification plant is now up to $6.17 billion.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2015

Coal, gas, utility groups back lawsuit against Minnesota coal power import law

Renewables advocates say the case could threaten clean energy mandates in dozens of other states.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2015

Colorado utility strikes deal with Xcel to offer wind power

Colorado Springs Utilities will purchase 20,000 MWh of wind power from Xcel.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2015

Coal generators mull survival options in era of carbon regulation

Generators in North Dakota are discussing potential compliance methods in advance of new carbon mandates.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2015

Obama administration pulls plug on FutureGen 'clean coal' plant

The facility, slated for construction in Illinois, had been in development for more than a decade.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2015

Why utility execs say storage is the top emerging energy technology

From grid scale innovation to renewable gases, smart utilities are looking at many choices.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2015

Oregon lawmakers file bill to ban coal power, limit natural gas expansion

The bill would ban coal, requires 90% cleaner fuels and blocks natural gas expansion. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 3, 2015

New PG&E program offers customers 100% solar option

Customers will soon be able to pay $0.02 to $0.03 per kwh extra to get 50% or 100% solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 3, 2015

Obama's budget would make solar, wind tax credits permanent

The President's $4 trillion budget includes an entire chapter on combating climate change.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2015

EIA: Vermont Yankee closure leaves New England looking for power

Entergy shuttered its 604 MW Vermont Yankee facility in December, and New England must find ways to replace the power.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2015

How utilities are transforming their fuel mixes

“The assumption that DERs are anti-utility is a mental block. Utilities could easily jump into it," said one NRG Energy exec.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 2, 2015

Deepwater wind development sites yield modest sums in auction

RES America and Offshore MW win 25 year leases, but face high development costs in building their wind farms.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 2, 2015

Alaska's Fire Island wind project put on hold for lack of buyers

Improved wind prices fail to match current low natural gas rates.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 2, 2015

Dominion pushes Virginia lawmakers to approve 5-year rate freeze

The utility has proposed concessions in exchange for a rate freeze the utility says is necessary ahead of coming EPA regulations.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2015

New Florida bill would block utilities from passing on gas exploration costs

The bills backers say last month’s PSC-approved FPL investment in Oklahoma shale puts ratepayers at risk.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 30, 2015

U.S. wind finished 2014 with big numbers, quadrupling its 2013 build

Utilities contracted for 3,300 MW of wind in 2014 and 12,000 MW in the last 2 years.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 30, 2015

Georgia Power's Vogtle nuclear plant delayed another 18 months

Georgia Power says its contractors have told it the new reactors won't be finished in time.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 30, 2015

Washington state solar battle heats up, splitting installer trade groups

Are a trio of utility-backed bills meant to save or gut the state's burgeoning solar industry?

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2015

NRC staff: Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage poses no safety concerns

But the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff did not recommend construction of the project until water rights have been sorted out.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2015

Miami Heat, NRG partner to install solar, push green energy

Sports stadiums are increasingly looking to add green power or energy efficiency measures, both to lower their carbon footprint and electricity bills as well as adding to the fan experience.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2015

AEP generation fleet sale may depend on Ohio rate case

Falling power prices have put seven AEP power plants on the auction block.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2015