NRC's new Fukushima-driven safety rules not designed for the 'real world,' critics say

The new rule aims to mitigate "severe events" at U.S. nuclear reactors, but the Union of Concerned Scientists says a key provision was removed before the Republican-led Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved it 3-2.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2019

FirstEnergy Solutions reaches restructuring agreement, could emerge from bankruptcy in 2019

The agreement leaves open the possibility FirstEnergy Solutions could continue to own and operate its retail and wholesale load-serving business.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 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

DOE sees role for coal supporting renewables with $38M funding announcement

Given the increased used of alternative energy sources, it's important for the coal fleet to be flexible "to accommodate electricity needs that are less than baseload," DOE said.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2019

Don't confuse energy favoritism with energy resilience

The Department of Energy has cited cyber and national security in a proposal to subsidize uneconomical power plants. Major General Bob Dees writes that this assertion is "dubious."

By Bob Dees • Jan. 24, 2019

A new lease on life for Holyoke, Massachusetts' former coal-fired power plant

The Mount Tom Station was replaced by a solar farm with a three-megawatt battery storage system and 17,000 solar panels — the state's largest.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 22, 2019

Minnesota study finds it cheaper to curtail solar than to add storage

A report studies Minnesota's options for 70% renewable penetration and finds surprising results regarding energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 22, 2019

New Jersey advances first community solar pilot to power 45K homes

State regulators approved the rules for what could evolve into a permanent community solar program of at least 225 MW over the next three years.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 22, 2019

Texas regulators direct higher plant payments amid capacity crunch concerns

Changes to the state's market rules will make prices respond more quickly during times of grid stress, boosting payments to resources that can provide emergency power. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 22, 2019

Navigating utility business model reform: A practical guide

Rocky Mountain Institute, America's Power Plan and Advanced Energy Economy Institute provide a guide to modernizing the electric utility business model. 

By Dan Cross-Call, Cara Goldenberg and Mike O’Boyle • Jan. 22, 2019

Bailout doubt – PG&E faces bankruptcy amid California's 'first climate change-caused emergency'

Stakeholders say few will benefit from bankruptcy, but alternatives have been dubbed "politically too hot to touch."

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 22, 2019

Texas regulators defer to legislature on utility ownership of energy storage

The state's market for energy storage is in limbo since regulators dismissed a request by AEP Texas last year to install two battery storage projects.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 18, 2019

All Texas coal plants report toxic ash contamination as federal rules in flux

High levels of arsenic, boron, cobalt, lithium and other contaminants were found in groundwater surrounding the Lone Star State's 16 coal plants.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 18, 2019

Greens, consumer advocates split as Louisiana approves $1B Cleco plant deal

The Sierra Club touted a renewable energy and coal phaseout deal it struck with the utility as part of the acquisition, but the Alliance for Affordable Energy is concerned Cleco will move the fossil plants into cost recovery.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 18, 2019

Southern CEO: Georgia Power to consider resilience in IRP for first time

"Maybe you take coal plants out of service but you keep them alive in the event that you have a resiliency emergency," Tom Fanning told a Washington audience Thursday.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 18, 2019

Trump signs bill streamlining advanced nuclear regs as Senate considers R&D funding

Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee grilled nuclear scientists about the impact of advanced nuclear reactors and the need to fund research for new manufacturing opportunities.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 17, 2019

The Supreme Court should reject requests for a do-over on state clean energy programs

Ruling against zero emission credit programs for nuclear plants could jeopardize renewable energy credits, too, and threaten to overturn policies in nearly thirty states, according to Harvard's Ari Peskoe.

By Ari Peskoe • Jan. 17, 2019

EPA won't freeze fuel economy standards as Wheeler faces confirmation vote

News of EPA's policy shift came during a testy nomination hearing where the acting administrator faced pressure from activists and Democrat senators on climate change. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 16, 2019

Maryland scales back EV charger program nearly 80%

The Maryland Public Service Commission approved the deployment of 5,000 EV chargers, a significant drop from the 24,000 envisioned in the original proposal.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 16, 2019

New York Gov Cuomo moves to double solar, triple offshore wind capacity targets

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a slew of new goals on Tuesday as part of New York's "Green New Deal," which aims to move the state to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 16, 2019

'Unlayering' peak demand could accelerate energy storage adoption

A new approach to the peaker-storage debate could help energy storage better meet peak demand and lower emissions.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 15, 2019

Tri-State members increasingly unsatisfied as the rise of distributed resources upends the G&T model

Given the increasing affordability of renewable energy, "the very reason G&Ts were created is less valid every day," Chris Riley, president of Guzman Energy, told Utility Dive.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 15, 2019

2019 Power Sector Outlook: Top trends to watch

We talked to utilities, analysts and technology providers on what to expect in the year ahead for storage, solar, demand-side management and more.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 15, 2019

SCANA deliberately misled regulators overseeing nuclear project, South Carolina PSC concludes

The new finding will not impact Dominion's acquisition of SCANA, but could signal greater scrutiny down the line.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2019

PUC order keeps Minnesota ahead of the curve on performance-based rates

The order, the culmination of a process that began in September 2017, establishes procedures and goals for developing metrics for performance-based rates by the fall.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 11, 2019

2019 US renewable generation additions expected to far outpace gas: EIA

The agency also reported around 8 GW of nuclear, gas and coal capacity are planned for retirement this year.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 11, 2019