BLM OKs $1B California desert solar project praised for balanced approach amid ongoing controversy

The Natural Resources Defense Council said the 450 MW project balanced solar development and natural resource protection, but a potential federal update to a California desert energy plan remains a point of contention.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 16, 2020

Wind + solar expected to add 61 GW over next two years: EIA

Renewable energy is expected to grow quickly alongside steady natural gas growth as more capacity is needed to replace retiring coal.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020

Early utility regulator retirement gives Wisconsin opportunity to move on third party solar impasse

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a renewable energy proponent, will have the chance to shift the state's utility regulatory body toward his agenda after Commissioner Mike Huebsch's early retirement.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020

Ash ponds: Keep calm and close in place

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to closing coal ash ponds, the author writes, cautioning against jumping to preordained conclusions on how to address the coal generation byproduct.

By Steven A. Burns is a partner at Balch & Bingham, LLP as part of the Environmental and Natural Resources practice. • Jan. 15, 2020

Water scarcity accelerates plans to close Xcel's Tolk coal plant by a decade

Xcel Energy subsidiary Southwestern Public Service plans to submit an analysis on the plant's abandonment and replacement options by 2021.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 15, 2020

2020 outlook: Natural gas faces regulatory, environmental scrutiny but still wants role in carbon-free grid

Aggressive natural gas investments in recent years may bring the sector to its tipping point. But some stakeholders say the fuel still has an important role to play in a decarbonized future.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020

Will deep decarbonization include nuclear? Possibly, with many caveats

Nuclear has a potential role in a low carbon future only if it is guaranteed to deliver electricity at a levelized cost under $0.076/kWh, the author writes.

By Levin Nock • Jan. 14, 2020

2020 Outlook: Coal faces headwinds from aging plants, adverse market signals and high remediation costs

Despite persistent economic challenges, the coal industry continues to fight to preserve its place in the U.S. energy mix.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 14, 2020

Kansas considering securitization for aging coal plants, but caution urged

Is "securitization fever" catching on in Kansas?

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 14, 2020

2020 Outlook: 10 trends driving the US power sector

From utilities to states to grid operators, the energy transformation is accelerating, but significant challenges remain.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 13, 2020

'Most dangerous and capable' hacking group now targeting electric sector, Dragos report finds

There is an increasing threat of supply chain and third-party attacks, according to the cybersecurity firm. Experts say patching vulnerabilities will not be easy.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2020

Tri-State to shut New Mexico, Colorado coal plants by 2030, but move may not satisfy unhappy members

While environmental advocates called it "a step in the right direction," they said Tri State's plan does not fully address concerns about energy prices and the ability of members to develop local renewable resources.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2020

SWEPCO settles with Sierra Club to plan 650 MW coal plant retirement by 2026

Closure of the Dolet Hills coal plant would mark the 300th retirement targeted by Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, and advocates say shuttering the facility will save customers over $60 million annually.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2020

4th Circuit nixes key permit for Dominion's Atlantic Coast Pipeline, citing environmental justice concerns

A three-judge panel vacated a necessary air quality permit for a new compressor station, concluding the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board failed to adequately consider impacts on nearby communities.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2020

Xcel Minnesota: Running coal seasonally will save customers millions, reduce emissions

Clean energy advocates say economic and environmental savings could be replicated nationwide if utilities were to take similar steps.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 8, 2020

Reduced coal generation drove power sector greenhouse emissions down 10% in 2019, report says

Meanwhile, coal plant retirements between 2005 and 2016 saved an estimated 26,610 lives, 570 million bushels of crops and had significant climate impacts, another study found.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 8, 2020

PJM: Electric vehicles could boost load 1.5 GW by 2035

One industry group says the forecast is likely too modest, as the addition of a plug-in vehicle can nearly double a household's electric consumption and adoption is expected to rise rapidly.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2020

South Carolina raises rates Dominion must pay to solar providers, reversing earlier decision

Dominion would have paid some of the lowest avoided cost rates in the country, according to clean energy groups, and the new decision is more consistent with directives under the state's Energy Freedom Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 7, 2020

FERC's clean energy boycott distorts PJM prices and discards history

The new rules approved for PJM's capacity auction will force the grid operator to buy more capacity than it needs to keep the lights on, according to Harvard energy lawyer Ari Peskoe.

By Ari Peskoe • Jan. 7, 2020

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

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