NRC denies Oklo Power's plan to construct 1.5 MW advanced nuclear reactor in Idaho

Federal regulators cited a lack of safety data in Oklo's application, including details on potential accidents, safety systems and components classifications.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2022

Data centers, EVs drive PJM's long-term load growth forecast, but it expects some utilities to see declines

However, the grid operator on Friday trimmed its forecast for its next capacity auction year by 0.5%, reflecting slower than expected load growth.  

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 4, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

Duke, SCE, other grid modernization proposals faced big cost questions, more regulator scrutiny in 2021

Regulators facing new climate and reliability urgencies and nearly 500 grid modernization proposals are more often favoring phased advances toward a smarter system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2022

'Anecdotal evidence' points to price gouging during winter storm Uri, NERC official says

Power shutoffs to gas compression facilities were not the primary cause of the February grid outages in Texas and the U.S. Southwest, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp. And price gouging may have played a part.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 22, 2021

Democrats plan to press ahead with Build Back Better bill, despite Manchin opposition

The legislation threatens grid reliability and increases U.S. dependence on foreign supply chains, according to Sen. Joe Manchin.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 20, 2021

Extreme weather, plant retirements challenge US grid amid a looming Midwest capacity shortfall: NERC

Recent energy shortfalls and grid disruptions in California and Texas "should serve as a wake-up call for the rest of the country," warned officials at the North American Electric Reliability Corp.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2021

Energy transition likely requires market changes, transmission growth, PJM finds

A report released Wednesday identifies gaps in PJM's markets and signals changes in transmission planning and system operations, per the grid operator.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 16, 2021

New Mexico denies PNM bid to exit Four Corners coal plant, citing lack of replacement resources

Transferring Four Corners would allow PNM to eliminate coal from its portfolio by 2024, but environmental groups say the deal would have actually prolonged the plant's operations.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2021

Will Tri-State's exit fee dispute at FERC shake up the cooperative utility model?

Even with United Power announcing plans to leave, Tri-State continues its pivot toward renewables and contract flexibility.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 15, 2021

NuScale Power plans to be the first advanced nuclear reactor company to go public

The company said Tuesday it will merge with Spring Valley Acquisition to form a new entity currently valued at $1.9 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 15, 2021

North American Energy Standards Board to tackle gas-electric coordination in 2022

The industry forum wants to improve coordination between natural gas and electricity markets following disruptions in Texas during Winter Storm Uri.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2021

DOD, GSA start process in federal shift to all carbon-free power by 2030

The federal government aims to begin buying emissions-free power in competitive markets next year in response to an executive order.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Feb. 4, 2022

New York’s landmark Reforming the Energy Vision framework remains both vital and unfinished, analysts say

New York's REV initiatives have given full value to distributed energy resources, but the utility business model transformation must be finished, regulators and other stakeholders agreed.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2021

Nuclear and carbon capture companies seek $20B as DOE revives loan program

DOE loan office head Jigar Shah said he would like the office to issue at least $2 billion in loans for key emerging sectors, such as battery recycling and "green" hydrogen.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 8, 2021

Fuel neutrality, pipeline environmental reviews and a return to common sense at FERC

In curtailing the Minimum Offer Price Rule and undertaking environmental reviews of pipelines, federal regulators are fulfilling their responsibilities while respecting state authority, writes former FERC commissioner John Norris.

By John Norris • Dec. 7, 2021

Wind developer joins $3B transmission project poised to be 'backbone' for Western power markets

The 730-mile TransWest Express project from Wyoming to Nevada could provide Southwest utilities with low-cost wind while facilitating participation in potential area-wide power markets, regional experts say.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 7, 2021

Texas power plants 'ready for winter' following weatherization assessment, ERCOT says

On-site inspections of more than 300 generating units mean consumers "can be confident" the power system will remain stable this winter, according to the grid operator.

By Robert Walton • Updated Jan. 5, 2022

Trends to watch in energy storage in 2022

By the end of 2030, the energy storage industry will break the 1 terawatt (TW) threshold. Wärtsilä's Vice President of Energy Storage and Optimization, Andrew Tang shares his thoughts on the trends we'll see unfold as a result.

By Andrew Tang, Vice President, Energy Storage and Optimization • Dec. 6, 2021

North Carolina regulators give Duke 4 months to craft carbon reduction plan

In a separate decision, the North Carolina Utilities Commission declined to accept the power supply portfolio portion of the long-range resource plans for Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolinas.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 23, 2021

NY regulator's shortsighted decision on NRG and Danskammer gas plants may cause future power shortages

The only viable answer at this time to fill the electric reliability hole that policymakers are digging is the conversion of existing and new state-of-the-art natural gas-fired generation plants to use "green hydrogen," the author writes.

By Arnold R. Wallenstein • Nov. 18, 2021

Changing climate and electricity mix renew region-wide power market ambitions for the 'Wild West'

Replacing today's "inflexible" dispatch in 11 Western states with an RTO's optimized operations and avoided capacity costs could deliver up to $1.3 billion in annual benefits, according to a DOE-funded study.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 15, 2021

FERC approves ISO-NE's request to strip proposed Connecticut gas-fired power plant of capacity contract

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Monday decision means NTE Energy's Killingly project won't be in ISO New England's capacity auction next month.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Jan. 5, 2022

Entergy Mississippi readies push into renewable power with plans to add 1 GW

The utility's decision is part of a larger plan designed to help counteract soaring natural gas costs on its gas-fired electric plants.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 11, 2021

Texas blackouts prompt New York ISO to consider 'once in a century' winter events

Extreme weather and widespread blackouts in Texas and the Southwest last winter have changed the way grid operators consider capacity risks, say experts.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2021

Dominion pushes ahead with shift from non-regulated assets, echoing Exelon, DTE and other utilities

The company continues on a path to focus on its "attractive regulated utility businesses" and to lower business risks with a new sale, according to its chief financial officer.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 9, 2021