Tech giants pressure Dominion for more storage, renewables, less gas in Virginia

The utility's latest IRP calls for new natural gas capacity due to the increased load expected from data centers, leading to complaints from Microsoft, Apple and other companies with green sustainability goals.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 14, 2019

Anbaric to flip Massachusetts coal plant site into offshore wind facility with 400 MW storage

The former Brayton plant site, symbolic of the transition from fossil fuels to renewables, will also have a 1,200 MW high-voltage direct current converter.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 14, 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

Department of Energy to award $79M for bioenergy research and development

Projects relating to "urban and suburban wastes," "plastics in the circular carbon economy" and "rethink[ing] anaerobic digestion" are among multiple areas of interest for the new federal funding.

By Cody Ellis • May 13, 2019

South Carolina unanimously passes solar bill to lift 2% net metering cap

The bill addresses a number of other solar development barriers as well, including PURPA and resource planning reform.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 10, 2019

New York to phase out coal by 2020 through strict emissions regulations

The state is the first to approve a regulatory phaseout of coal-fired power plants, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2019

NERC to analyze first potential cyberattack on US grid

The nonprofit has no information suggesting malicious intent behind the loss of visibility to a utility control system that occurred in early March and impacted electrical system operations in California, Utah and Wyoming.

By HJ Mai • May 10, 2019

Florida's solar turnaround sparks concerns over limits on community projects

Many are asking how big this boom will get, but a better question may be how this growth will evolve as its impact sparks responses by utilities, solar developers and policymakers.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 9, 2019

Republicans show increasing appetite for climate action, despite opposition to Paris accord bill

GOP legislators are increasingly calling for measures to address climate change, but through private sector innovation, as opposed to carbon taxes, mandates or sweeping Green New Deal-style policies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 9, 2019

South Carolina regulators slash Duke Energy Progress rate hikes, cut $333M coal ash recovery

The Public Service Commission adopted a similar motion reducing another Duke subsidiary's proposed rate hike by 54%, signaling the impact of stakeholders that rallied to oppose the increases.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 9, 2019

Texas grid operator braces for tight supply-demand balance this summer

ERCOT says it continues to see "above-normal growth" in electric demand on its system, largely due to new industrial load on the coast and the oil and gas industry in the west.

By Robert Walton • May 9, 2019

Three Mile Island to close after bailout bill stalls in Pennsylvania legislature

The plant gained international fame when a partial nuclear meltdown permanently shut down Unit 2 in 1979. Economic competition is now driving Unit 1 to close, despite 15 years left on its operating license.

By HJ Mai • May 9, 2019

EPS Ep. 12: An on-the-ground account of coal ash pollution in Texas

The most contaminated coal ash site in the country offers a firsthand look at the waste's impact on land and where that leaves federal regulations.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 8, 2019

We Energies proposes fee for solar customers (again)

The fee, which would charge solar customers an additional $3.53/kW-month, is similar to the one rejected by a circuit court judge in 2015.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 7, 2019

Colorado approves bill putting Tri-State under PUC as members flee to renewables

Legislators on Friday passed a comprehensive utility bill that also codifies Xcel's clean energy goals.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 7, 2019

Toxins in the ground: Inside America's most polluted coal ash site and industry's struggle with federal rules

A Texas family's legal battle with an electric cooperative over contaminated land is a microcosm of a larger national debate on how to handle the toxic byproduct of burning coal.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 6, 2019

North Carolina coal ash battle comes to a head as Duke challenges cleanup order

The utility's coal ash saga stretches on in the state after an eventful Friday highlighted multiple avenues for closure and costs, making the future of the ponds and rates uncertain.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 2, 2019

DOJ opens investigation into Kemper plant as Southern warns of possible 'material impact'

In addition to the DOJ investigation, Southern Company revealed there could be more costs related to portions of the plant's abandoned infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • May 2, 2019

Maine Gov. Mills introduces 100% renewables bill

The policy, which seeks to reduce total emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, is a broad departure from the former governor's "openly hostile" stance against clean energy.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 2, 2019

EIA: Renewables to top coal generation for first time in April/May

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration could be "signs of a tipping point" according to the Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis.

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2019

ERCOT's reliability anxiety: Energy groups square off on what's to blame

Competition between traditional generation and renewables has put energy incentives under scrutiny in the Texas legislature.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 30, 2019

DOE policy chief: 'My office is not working on anything to do with subsidized coal'

One of the authors of the leaked DOE memo to subsidize fuel-secure power sources said the draft was not intended to address only coal or be connected to the department's failed NOPR to bail out coal.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 30, 2019

AEE: Advanced energy industry revenues grew to $238B in 2018

Transportation electrification and building efficiency dominated revenue growth last year, increasing $25 billion over 2017.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 29, 2019

900 MW Invenergy natural gas plant faces uncertain future in ISO NE

It's been four years since Invenergy filed its proposal to develop a gas plant, and in that time New England capacity prices have fallen steeply, casting doubt on the plant's future.

By Robert Walton • April 29, 2019

What you need to know about energy pricing as market complexities grow

Despite the relative stability of pricing last year, manufacturers and data center operators should continue to be prepared for additional periods of volatility and price spikes — both in the natural gas and electricity markets.

By Tim Comerford and Joe Santo • April 26, 2019

PacifiCorp taps 4 units for potential early retirement in updated coal analysis

The utility had delayed filing its Integrated Resource Plan pending results of this study, which indicate several coal plants could be retired early.

By Robert Walton • April 26, 2019