PJM, states clash over market jurisdiction at NARUC conference

PJM CEO Andy Ott said some states in his market had entered a "compact" to allow generation decisions to be determined by competitive markets, sparking spirited responses from state regulators.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 14, 2018

DOE to fund 'Coal FIRST' initiative, critics say it's political not practical

The U.S. Department of Energy wants to support the development of smaller coal-fired plants, 50 MW to 350 MW in size, with high-efficiency and near-zero emissions.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 14, 2018

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

APS spent millions defeating Prop 127. Is a clean energy compromise ahead?

The utility beat the push for 50% renewables, then started talk about an 80% clean energy standard.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 14, 2018

AEP to spend $2.7B on renewables, $24.9B on T&D in next 5 years

American Electric Power plans to use the majority of its five year budget on transmission and distribution operations to "enhance service for customers."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2018

Lazard: Renewables can challenge existing coal plants on price

The firm's latest findings underscore a number of recent utility moves to replace coal with wind, solar and gas.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 12, 2018

35% of US nuclear plants face early retirement: Union of Concerned Scientists

The analysis recommends the adoption of state and federal policies that would support the plants, including a national carbon price or low-carbon electricity standard.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2018

Storage will replace 3 California gas plants as PG&E nabs approval for world's largest batteries

Installation of more than 2,200 MWh of storage will be the first time a utility directly replaces multiple major fossil fuel generators with batteries.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 9, 2018

PJM aims for middle in defense of capacity market plan at FERC

Fossil fuel generators and consumer advocates assailed the grid operator's resource carve-out plan in comments while PJM tried to frame its proposal as a reasonable compromise. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 8, 2018

94% of utility execs expect 'severe' earnings pressure before 2025: Accenture

Of the same executives surveyed, 97% also believe that earnings will rise after 2025, once the utility sector has moved past the growing pains of modernization, according to the management consulting firm's study.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 7, 2018

Ballot initiative flops mask strong election for clean energy

The failure of high-profile ballot initiatives in Arizona and Washington came amid wins for renewable energy supporters in key gubernatorial races.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 7, 2018

Should targeted EV programs be subsidized by all utility customers or have separate rates?

Electric vehicles are transitioning from a specialized market representing approximately 1% of U.S. car sales to an anticipated mainstream market of almost 25% of new car sales within seven years.

By Jim Heidell and Diana Lai • Nov. 7, 2018

States raise Exelon market power concerns over Mystic cost recovery proposal at FERC

Exelon's threat to shut down the Mystic Generating Station if it does not receive financial support is a "charade," Connecticut utility regulators argued.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 6, 2018

Texas generators, utilities square off at PUC over storage ownership

The Texas regulatory docket will determine which companies get to own battery storage and other non-traditional grid technologies in the state. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 6, 2018

PJM CEO: Powering a resilient grid through competitive markets

Federal action to protect specific power plants is not only unnecessary, PJM CEO Andy Ott writes, it would raise consumer costs and discourage investment in newer, more efficient technologies.

By Andrew L. Ott • Nov. 6, 2018

ISO New England unveils new initiatives to enhance winter reliability

New England has been looking for market-based solutions to winter difficulties, as its reliance on natural gas has at times put the grid operator in a tight spot.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2018

Chatterjee blasts Clean Power Plan, praises EPA replacement in filed comments

Criticism of the Obama administration's defunct carbon regulations was filed the same day that Chatterjee pledged to be a nonpolitical FERC chairman in comments to reporters.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 5, 2018

Emerging best practices for utility grid hardening

The impacts of extreme weather on utility infrastructure are forcing utilities and regulators to take a more proactive approach to storm preparation, risk mitigation and budgeting than they have been accustomed to.

By Jeremy Clark • Nov. 5, 2018

Electric utilities quietly praise EPA coal plant emissions rule

Many large utilities did not comment on the EPA's Affordable Clean Energy rule directly, but a lobbying organization they fund endorsed the looser pollution standards. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 2, 2018

PJM CEO pans coal bailout but says plant payments needed in mid-2020s

A new report on PJM fuel security shows risks to the system could arise in five to six years if more power plants retire than anticipated and multiple stressors hit the grid at once. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 1, 2018

Nevada's Question 3 pits retail choice against uncertainty in battle of billionaires

Voters could pass a constitutional amendment that restructures the state's regulated utility, opens a competitive electricity market and subjects customers and lawmakers to hard questions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 1, 2018

New Orleans fines Entergy $5M over actors paid to support gas plant

An independent report concludes Entergy New Orleans "knew or should have known" that a firm it hired to support its bid for a new power plant was using individuals paid to pose as citizens supporting the project.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 1, 2018

Chatterjee pledges no political influence after 'growing into' FERC role

The new FERC chairman says he's evolved into a nonpartisan regulator in the past year — and that will help keep the agency insulated from political pressures. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 31, 2018

Virginia advances stricter carbon emissions cap rule

Virginia and New Jersey are on track to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in 2020, observers say. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 31, 2018

ICF: Natural gas infrastructure resilient to storms, but improvements can be made

In a report prepared for Southern California Gas, global consulting firm ICF looked at the resiliency of the natural gas sector and concluded it generally holds up well in natural disasters.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 31, 2018

Glick raises bailout concerns over resilience, fuel security dockets

The FERC regulator is worried open proceedings at his agency could have similar effects to a coal and nuclear bailout from the White House that his agency rejected last year. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 31, 2018