Utilities 'caught in the crosshairs' as US-Iran tensions rise; experts say domestic cyberattack likely

Iran wants to avoid a shooting war following the United States' assassination of a top military leader, making domestic cyberattacks "almost a foregone conclusion," according to one expert.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2020

Making the case for billion-dollar investments in grid modernization by answering 3 key questions

Boston Consulting Group’s framework prioritizes the business case for grid mod investments to win stakeholder and regulator backing for billion-dollar spending.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 6, 2020

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

Judge tells Michigan regulators to send DTE back to drawing board on its long-term resource plan

The Administrative Law Judge criticized the utility's calculations of its energy needs and rejected its plan for failing to issue a mandatory Request for Proposals to solicit accurate prices for renewable resources.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 3, 2020

Tri-State members develop alternative generation plans in their bid to exit the utility's service

United Power and La Plata Electric Association say they are "weighing all options" to change their energy procurement contracts with Tri-State in order to cut costs and provide customers with more clean energy.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 3, 2020

Duke agrees to largest coal ash cleanup in US after years of fighting with environmentalists

The utility plans to excavate 80 million tons of coal ash, although some ash will remain at the Marshall Steam Station and the Roxboro Plant.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 2, 2020

Trump Administration approves NV Energy's 690 MW, 1.5 GWh Gemini solar+storage project

The Obama Administration previously rejected the $1 billion project under an agreement with conservation groups that protected sensitive desert land from wind and solar development.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 12, 2020

Minnesota appeals court rejects PUC approval of Wisconsin gas plant, orders environmental review

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the Nemadji Trail Energy Center without considering potential climate impacts, prompting the court to require a new look at the project.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 24, 2019

EPA makes Georgia 2nd state to operate coal ash program, proposes 'efficient' rule for other 48

Both moves are part of EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler's broader goal to give states more "flexibility" in their management of coal ash disposal.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 23, 2019

Washington Gov. Inslee proposes to slash emissions, reach net-zero carbon by 2050

He also directed the Washington Department of Ecology to strengthen review of fossil fuel projects to ensure climate change impacts are taken into account.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 23, 2019

FERC move to raise PJM capacity market bids shows 'clear bias' against new, clean generation: Glick

The order will raise the floor price for new generation bidding into PJM Interconnection that receives any form of state subsidy.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 20, 2019

Virginia, Maryland unveil 100% clean energy plans, but NGOs not satisfied

The separate legislative efforts announced this week face criticisms from clean energy groups of being insufficient to facilitate a clean energy transition.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 20, 2019

New York vs. ExxonMobil ruling shows natural gas development, not litigation, key for climate solutions

With demand for power expected to boom by over 50%, more natural gas is a common sense approach to fighting global temperature rise, writes former Ambassador Richard D. Kauzlarich.

By Richard D. Kauzlarich • Dec. 20, 2019

NERC: Grid operators must prepare for 330 GW of renewables by 2029

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation expects adequate capacity reserves will be available to meet increasing peak demand over the next 10 years, but warned of challenges to integrating more intermittent resources.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2019

Tax credit, net metering declines strike distributed solar, but falling costs, storage offer new hope

With tax credits and net metering threatened, previous withdrawals of financial support mechanisms show what the distributed solar industry may soon face.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 19, 2019

Goldman Sachs bolsters climate policy with $750B goal, fossil-fuel restrictions

The company pledged to stop financing new coal-fired power plants in developing nations, unless they have carbon capture and storage or another form of technology to reduce emissions.

By Dan Ennis • Dec. 18, 2019

TVA gets nation's first approval to potentially build and operate small modular nuclear reactors

The utility now has until 2039, with the possibility of an extension, to decide whether to go ahead and pursue construction of up to 800 MW of such reactors, which will require a separate application.

By Larry Pearl • Dec. 18, 2019

Georgia approves almost $1.8B in rate hikes to cover coal ash clean up

Regulators failed to determine whether the utility's spending was prudent on a clean-up plan that lacks detail, according to environmentalists.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 18, 2019

House foregoes new tax credits for storage, offshore wind as it approves $1.4T spending bill

The Senate passed the spending bills on Thursday, which included a one-year tax credit extension for onshore wind, and incentives for geothermal, biodiesel and Native American-owned coal plants.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Dec. 20, 2019

Investigations of ComEd, Exelon lobbying threaten Illinois energy transition

Lawmakers and clean energy advocates vow to continue fighting for the state's landmark clean energy bill despite a "black cloud of corruption."

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2019

Massachusetts AG Healey stokes grassroots effort for clean energy market rules in ISO-NE

The office, which also acts as the state's ratepayer advocate, endeavors to grow public awareness of the grid operator amid growing tensions between Massachusetts' clean energy goals and market policies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Dec. 13, 2019

National Petroleum Council calls for sharp increase in carbon capture subsidies

A new report ordered by former Energy Secretary Rick Perry concludes widespread deployment of carbon capture technology is "essential" to maintaining a reliable electric grid while also combating climate change.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2019

Dominion extends poop power push with $200M Vanguard Renewables partnership

The five projects trap methane from cow manure to create renewable natural gas offer "a new way to improve on farm economics."

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 13, 2019

Natural gas plant replacing Los Angeles coal power to be 100% hydrogen by 2045: LADWP

The plant would be the first of its kind to generate all hydrogen through electrolysis, or "green hydrogen."

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 12, 2019

Squirrels, cyberattacks, age and climate: Obama DOE official reviews top risks to US grid

While there is much attention on cyber threats and other high profile vulnerabilities, the more mundane, day-to-day risks are also very important, John MacWilliams, a former chief risk officer at DOE, said Wednesday.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 12, 2019

NorthWestern Energy unveils plan to buy 25% of Colstrip coal unit for $1

Utility officials noted that building a gas-fired plant with the same capacity could cost about $240 million while wind + storage "could cost several billion dollars and still not provide equivalent capacity."

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2019