Coal sector outlook drops from 'stable' to 'negative': Moody's

Mounting pressure on the industry caused the ratings firm to downgrade the sector in just a month.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2019

Federal bill aims to extend renewable energy tax credits for biogas and WTE

The bill would incentivize development of qualifying biogas, WTE and biomass projects. While attention to organic waste has spurred recent biogas investment, new incinerator projects have been less frequent.

By Rina Li • Aug. 22, 2019

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

Storage developer plans to bring batteries to 149 MW Texas wind portfolio in SPP territory

GlidePath says integrating battery storage in markets with a large penetration of wind resources can help prevent emergencies similar to ERCOT's two last week.

By HJ Mai • Aug. 21, 2019

What will electricity pricing look like in 2040?

Experts weigh in on their rate design predictions, ranging from complex rates and set-it, forget-it technologies to Netflix-like subscription plans.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2019

LCUS: A New Way to Accurately Measure Energy Storage Costs

The Levelized Cost of Using Storage method combines data into a single meaningful metric to compare different energy storage technologies.

By C. Michael Hoff and Roger Lin • Aug. 20, 2019

Xcel needs a push to improve its grid transparency tools

Further improvements to Xcel's hosting capacity analysis and map are necessary to help Minnesota realize the full potential of DERs, including renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy storage, writes Yochi Zakai, an attorney for IREC.

By Yochi Zakai • Aug. 20, 2019

New Mexico city fights for federal carbon capture funding in next move to save San Juan coal plant

Farmington, New Mexico, signed an agreement to transfer 95% of the plant's ownership from other stakeholders to a local energy company.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 19, 2019

How grid operators forecast weather and output from renewables

RTOs and ISOs told Utility Dive their top challenges and initiatives when it comes to forecasting output from intermittent resources.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 19, 2019

Wisconsin governor orders 100% carbon free by 2050, despite lack of legislative support

Gov. Tony Evers, D, signed an executive order on Friday after being unable to pass more aggressive energy policy through the state's budget.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 19, 2019

New Mexico senator moves to impeach utility commissioners as tensions rise over San Juan closure

A legislator frustrated with what he says is politically motivated opposition to the state's comprehensive clean energy law is heightening pressure on regulators.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 16, 2019

NRC hints at upcoming early site determination for TVA advanced nuclear project

The Tennessee Valley Authority has not determined whether it will move ahead with the project but wants the option to locate small modular reactors at the Clinch River Site.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2019

Top Arizona regulator spurs retail choice progress, pushes for rule drafting

The Arizona Corporation Commission had closed its retail electric competition docket in 2013, following the opposition of Arizona Public Service.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 16, 2019

ERCOT calls 2 energy emergencies in one week, 3rd in 5 years

Warm temperatures all week meant Texas generators ran overtime to meet cooling demand, ultimately creating more unplanned outages.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2019

Everyone loves a guaranteed discount: New financing approach drives community solar growth

Innovations are transforming community solar nationwide, but the technology is also booming in Florida where, despite utilities not using discounts to spur development​, FPL is planning the world's largest community solar project.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 15, 2019

ERCOT reserves drop below 2,300 MW, forcing Texas grid to call for energy emergency

Demand sent prices soaring and forced the grid operator to issue the emergency alert for the first time in more than five years.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2019

Renewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility

New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019

Consumers Energy agrees to clear PURPA queue, add 584 MW renewables by 2023

Michigan regulators approved the settlement, which will address over 3 GW of qualifying facilities waiting to interconnect.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Sept. 11, 2019

New York initiative aims to eliminate conflicts between resource adequacy, clean energy goals

The Public Service Commission wants to ensure available capacity products align with the state's renewable energy and emission reduction goals, rather than unwittingly keeping afloat older and dirtier resources.

By Robert Walton • Updated Aug. 13, 2019

Hollywood's next star could be virtual power plants as LADWP closes out natural gas

Power plant-scale VPPs are not in operation but pilots and proposals are about to get big tests.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2019

First Energy Solutions accelerates closure of Pennsylvania's largest coal plant

The company says Bruce Mansfield Unit 3 is no longer economical and will be shut down in early November.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 13, 2019

EPA moves to streamline permitting for power plant expansions, gas pipelines

One of the agency's actions aims to guarantee developers will avoid triggering New Source Review permitting if one portion of their project increases emissions, as long as those emissions are offset by a larger decrease in other parts of the project.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 12, 2019

Vineyard Wind shareholders commit to Mass. offshore wind project despite federal delays

With the wind investment tax credit set to sunset at the end of this year, the 800-MW project's financing could be jeopardized if the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management does not speed up its final environmental impact study.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Aug. 13, 2019

Seattle mayor proposes heating oil tax to push electrification

The 24 cents-per-gallon tax would cover rebates and grants to help 3,000 homes transition to electric power.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 9, 2019

Coal, nuclear could see boost in New England this winter as new tariff goes into effect

The tariff will compensate power plants such as nuclear, coal-fired and oil-fired generation, but excludes resources such as offshore wind, which the grid operator has credited for providing significant value during cold snaps.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Aug. 12, 2019

New Mexico governor wants to upend PRC as regulators skirt clean energy law

Michelle Lujan Grisham intends to speed up a legislative decision that would restructure the state's regulatory body as tensions mount over implementing New Mexico's comprehensive Energy Transition Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 8, 2019