McNamee still mulling resilience docket recusal

In his first comments to the press since his confirmation, the Republican regulator said he is working with ethics officials to determine if the resilience docket too closely resembles a plant bailout plan he crafted in 2017.

By Gavin Bade • March 14, 2019

Perry says federal coal and nuke bailout not dead, but encourages states to act

The Secretary of Energy supports "thoughtful" state subsidy programs, but said he was not aware of discussions in Pennsylvania, where a lawmaker says DOE staff told him a federal bailout was not forthcoming.

By Gavin Bade • March 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

NYSERDA targets retail and bulk storage incentives as state aims for 3 GW by 2030

The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority's plan allocates $130 million and $150 million to the retail and bulk storage markets, respectively.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 13, 2019

Kansas City, Missouri, pledges carbon-free government by next year

The city council voted unanimously to get its electricity from renewable sources, develop a community solar farm and buy more electric vehicles.

By Chris Teale • March 13, 2019

Three's company: New Mexico joins California, Hawaii in approving 100% clean energy mandate

The bill requires the state to phase out all natural gas and coal-fired plants by 2045, signifying a major shift in energy priorities since a new governor and a new crop of legislators took office in January.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 13, 2019

Federal court denies FERC jurisdiction in PG&E bankruptcy case

FERC asserted it had "concurrent jurisdiction" and could prevent power contracts from being altered as part of PG&E's bankruptcy proceeding.

By Gavin Bade • March 13, 2019

Pennsylvania lawmaker: State crafted nuke subsidy bill after DOE said not to wait for bailout

The new bill to provide financial support to the state's nine nuclear plants is part of a trend of states taking the lead on premature retirements in the face of inaction from the federal government. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 12, 2019

PJM pushes FERC to act on capacity market rules, citing 'uncertainty' and 'confusion'

Until FERC approves a replacement for the capacity market design it threw out last year, PJM said it is directing market participants to prepare for an upcoming auction under both sets of rules.

By Gavin Bade • March 12, 2019

Duke defends IRP as greens push North Carolina regulators to reassess

Consumer and environmental advocates say the utility's 15-year plan in North Carolina is too expensive and doesn't do enough to eliminate fossil fuels. 

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2019

Dominion faces March 15 deadline to secure utility contracts for Millstone nuke

The plant owner has been negotiating with Eversource and United Illuminating to secure higher priced power purchase agreements, according to local news reports. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 8, 2019

ISO-NE forecasts transition to distributed, renewable generation

The grid operator released its 2019 Regional Electricity Outlook last week, listing natural gas plants as the only new conventional generation resource expected online between 2018 and 2020.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 7, 2019

Oregon OKs dual PGE approach to procure renewables for business customers

Portland General Electric's clean energy offerings are part of a wave of creative Power Purchase Agreement tariffs utilities are offering to corporate and municipal customers.

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2019

Efficiency leads 2019 energy job growth prospects

Energy efficiency employers project a 7.8% growth rate for jobs this year, more than double the increase last year, in what the latest U.S. Energy and Employment Report deemed the "toughest hiring climate."

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2019

EPS Ep. 8: 'The coal bailout no one is talking about' with Joe Daniel of UCS

Customers are subsidizing coal plants with more than a billion dollars a year, the Union of Concerned Scientists analyst says, thanks to market rules that allow monopoly-owned plants to choose when they generate electricity.

By Gavin Bade • March 6, 2019

ERCOT sees increased chance for emergency capacity with record demand forecast this summer

The grid operator's preliminary summer analysis of extreme scenarios indicates ERCOT may need to issue energy alerts, but does not expect to use rolling brownouts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 6, 2019

Great Plains states dominate renewables generation in 2018

While natural gas dominated generation additions last year, an NRDC analyst found that several Midwest states across the Great Plains region dominated renewables generation, indicating a shift in the energy mix driven by "economics" and "corporate interest."

By Catherine Morehouse • March 6, 2019

Industrial consumers oppose evolving Pennsylvania nuclear subsidy proposal

An early-February draft bill leaked last week would create a tier under Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio to direct utilities to purchase power from the state's nine nuclear plants.

By Gavin Bade • March 6, 2019

Minnesota 100% carbon-free bill joins flurry of state level clean energy action

Gov. Tim Walz's proposal expands energy efficiency programs and removes benchmark emissions requirements that utilities "have always blown by."

By Catherine Morehouse • March 5, 2019

Wyoming passes coal support bill in spate of Western action to save ailing plants

Montana lawmakers are also considering a bill to support the 2.2 GW Colstrip plant and a New Mexico clean energy bill includes provisions to help utility PNM recoup coal closure costs. 

By Gavin Bade • Updated March 11, 2019

Efforts to save largest Western US coal plant stall; December decommissioning on track

Navajo Generating Station's owners say the latest prospective buyer, the Navajo Transitional Energy Company, is unable to provide the necessary assurances to protect the plant's stakeholders in the event of a sale.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2019

'Virtually all' coal plants monitoring groundwater show ash pollution, report finds

The first comprehensive analysis of utility groundwater reports — representing three quarters of the U.S. coal fleet — reveals a widespread environmental and public health issue.

By Gavin Bade • March 4, 2019

New Brunswick Power, Florida developer partner to build first hydrogen-powered electric grid

The Canadian utility and Joi Scientific are looking to build a prototype in two to three years that could generate 10-100 MW, with the goal to make New Brunswick Power an "emissions-free utility."

By Catherine Morehouse • March 1, 2019

New York moves to phase out older peaking plants as it targets 100% clean energy

A new state proposal would set lower thresholds for emissions of nitrogen oxides, and allow plant owners to meet the new standards in part by installing renewable or batteries.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2019

Business, enviro groups see strong prospects for Illinois 100% clean energy bill

Analysts consider energy efficiency essential to achieving a 100% renewables by 2050 goal, and the bill recommends extending the timeline for such energy saving programs to maximize benefits.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 1, 2019

Sen. Inhofe: Carbon capture hearing is 'first official recognition' that US needs fossil fuel generation

The senator on Wednesday co-sponsored the carbon capture infrastructure build out bill, the USE IT Act, reintroduced Feb. 7 after unanimous approval last year by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 28, 2019