Plugging In: Colleges seek partners to help reach energy goals

As more energy customers set goals for lower emissions, some institutions are tapping the private sector for technical expertise and financial support to advance sustainability.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 14, 2019

California, New England will miss 2050 carbon targets at current pace, reports find

California won't hit its emission reduction goals until 2157, while New England renewable additions will need to at least quadruple  from current plans.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 10, 2019

There once was a 48 MWh Tesla battery on Nantucket, which saved National Grid $120M in its budget

Pairing the eight-hour battery system with a 15 MW diesel generator, the utility avoided nearly $200 million in permitting and construction costs for an undersea transmission cable.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 10, 2019

PJM presses FERC to act by Nov. 3 on Order 841 filing detailing market participation for energy storage

The notice said the grid operator and its stakeholders need at least one month's notice to go live with a storage market participation model.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 9, 2019

FERC rejects Tri-State's proposed tariffs, stymying 1st effort at federal regulation

Environmental groups say the transmission and generation cooperative is trying to "shop around for regulators," while Tri-State maintains it is seeking more stable rates for its customers. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2019

Carbon price could allay 'astounding' cost to attain New York's zero carbon target: Report

The state's power grid operator concluded that a price on carbon in wholesale markets could lower the cost to implement the state's electric sector goal for zero emissions by 2040 by $850 million.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 4, 2019

Coal-heavy Pennsylvania to join Northeast's carbon cap and trade program

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf committed the state to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Pennsylvania had the fourth largest CO2 emissions in the power sector in 2016.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 4, 2019

Energy Secretary Perry pulled into impeachment fray while denying reports he'll resign

House Democrats subpoenaed Perry for his involvement in Congress’ ongoing impeachment inquiry.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Oct. 11, 2019

PacifiCorp to add 7 GW renewables + storage, close 20 of 24 coal plants

The plan "doubles down" on wind resources and "identifies battery storage as part of a least-cost portfolio for the first time."

By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2019

As EPA preps coal ash rollback, study finds heightened risks of water, soil contamination

Industry and environmental groups have been anticipating changes to the federal rule, but a Duke University study presented to the EPA suggests health risks of the toxins may be greater than previously thought.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 3, 2019

DC Circuit rejects EPA air rule, requires tighter emission limits on power plants, other sources

While environmenal advocates hailed the court's decision, the EPA has indicated it may appeal the ruling.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2019

Coal group pressed state regulators to ask FERC for resilience action

Six public utility commissioners asked FERC for "some sort of definitive action one way or another" on its resilience docket in light of coal and nuclear plant retirements.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Oct. 14, 2019

Renewable gas or electrification? Minnesota's high stakes experiment on building decarbonization

CenterPoint Energy proposed a green tariff for renewable natural gas that was rejected by Minnesota regulators, but the utility says the fuel is a viable path to decarbonization.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 1, 2019

Minnesota rejects Xcel's 720 MW Mankato gas plant purchase over stranded asset concerns

The utility still plans to buy the facility through an unregulated subsidiary, which some clean energy advocates say could loosen regulatory oversight.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 1, 2019

Shorthanded FERC allows New England capacity auction results to stand

The commissioners said they would have upheld the recent auction results if they had quorum. Meanwhile, the White House tapped FERC general counsel James Danly to fill one of FERC's two open seats.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2019

As Puerto Rico generators trip offline, PREPA relies on load shedding, looks to microgrids

The island utility faces resource adequacy problems as energy regulators consider a plan to reinforce resiliency through eight regional "minigrids."

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 30, 2019

DTE pledges carbon-free power by 2050 banking on utility-scale storage, small nuclear, CCS

The utility's latest integrated resource plan also calls for $2 billion in renewables investments over the next five years.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2019

California wants a carbon-free economy by 2045: Can floating offshore wind help it get there?

New technology could bring ocean wind when there is no sun to recharge depleted batteries.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 2019

A Trump tariff boost? Georgia solar manufacturing plant will be North America's largest

Korea-based Hanwha Q Cells' new plant will produce 12,000 solar panels a day. But solar advocates contend the sector would have done better without the tariffs.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 24, 2019

California needs 2.5 GW of new generation for reliability — keep gas out of that

Instead of continuing to rely on out-of-date and harmful power plants, the CPUC needs to prioritize price-competitive renewable alternatives, writes Vote Solar's Ed Smeloff.

By Ed Smeloff • Sept. 24, 2019

Texas wind poised to outstrip coal generation with 87 TWh in 2020, report projects

Wind generators will outpace coal as the price of the renewable energy continues to fall, although natural gas will still generate the largest share of the state's power, Rystad Energy said.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2019

Northeastern utilities aim to 'crush and flatten' system peaks as DERs boost grid efficiency

DER providers and utilities have found shared market interests in New England, leading to cooperative BYOD programs that provide a range of benefits for customers and the power system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2019

Nike opens new distribution center running on 100% renewable energy

The 1.5-million-square-foot center is located in Ham, Belgium, expanding the company's existing European Logistics Campus on the site.

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 23, 2019

Amazon buys 100K electric vans as part of net zero carbon goals

The e-commerce company revealed its total carbon footprint was 44.4 million metric tons in 2018, and it wants to achieve carbon neutrality 10 years ahead of the Paris Climate Accord's 2050 goal. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 20, 2019

Ex-Tesla exec wants to increase utility control of DERs, and has a smart panel to do it

The new electric panel combines smart metering capabilities with remote control of energy use in residences, while easing installation of solar, energy storage and EV chargers.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 20, 2019