Utility solar expands in Florida as regulators approve 260 MW

Investor-owned utilities like Tampa Electric are using a state solar funding mechanism to "rate base" large-scale projects before the investment tax credit winds down.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 31, 2018

GE to restructure power division amid expanded SEC, DOJ probe

The company took a $22 billion write-down last quarter related to its power business — a charge federal investigators are now scrutinizing. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 30, 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

Western Regionalization Plan B: Utilities take an interim step to expand the grid

California lawmakers rejected the CAISO expansion so western participants are instead looking to evolve the energy imbalance market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 30, 2018

Minnesota PUC approves 550 MW gas plant despite renewables push

Minnesota Power says the project will be necessary as "flexible, dispatchable energy producer" to help with its goal to supply 44% of electricity from renewables by 2025.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 30, 2018

US on pace for record coal retirements in 2018, IEEFA finds

The U.S. will retire 15.4 GW of coal capacity this year, the clean energy think tank reported, "easily" exceeding the previous record of 14.7 GW of coal shutdowns in 2015.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 30, 2018

Chatterjee, changed: FERC watchers see a more focused, less political chairman

Industry sources applaud Chatterjee’s newfound independence, but also preach caution about the once and current chairman.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 29, 2018

Study: Natural gas, wind, solar cheapest power generation

With environmental externalities considered, wind is cheapest cross the central plains and down the Appalachian mountains, while solar leads across the Southwest and parts of the Midwest and Northwest.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 29, 2018

Dominion proposes to buy SCANA with larger rate cut, no up-front refunds

South Carolina Electric & Gas customers would see greater bill reductions under the plan, but not the $1,000 refund Dominion pushed in the wake of efforts to recover spending on the V.C. Summer nuclear project.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 29, 2018

Kentucky coal plant to close, latest among accelerating shutdowns

Henderson Municipal Power and Light will close 300 MW of coal fired generation after consistently finding the power was more expensive than alternatives on the market. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2018

ISO-NE, generators spar over fuel security at FERC

The grid operator and independent generators in its market are at odds over whether a proposal to retain fuel secure resources would depress market prices. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 26, 2018

California regulators prod utilities to start drafting roadmap to 100% clean energy

The sum of renewables procurements from California electricity providers is not enough to achieve the state's 2045 target, and regulators are struggling for solutions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 25, 2018

Optimizing natural gas generation with energy storage

A gamechanger for the transition to a cleaner and more affordable power sector as the deployment of renewables plus energy storage accelerates exponentially across the country.

By Janice Lin • Oct. 25, 2018

Beyond fuel security: Reliability, resilience and a more sustainable future through grid flexibility

Why the focus on fuel security when improving grid flexibility could achieve the aims of fuel security more cost effectively while modernizing and decarbonizing our grid?

By Jennie Chen and Kate Konschnik • Oct. 25, 2018

States, greens face off over PURPA implementation at FERC

Newly filed comments could help shape how FERC treats the 1978 law, the first to open power generation to competition.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 24, 2018

NV Energy looks to add 350 MW renewables, storage as state anti-monopoly vote approaches

The utility has said its addition of renewable energy resources is contingent on whether voters decide to eliminate electric power monopolies at the polls. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 23, 2018

New York energy storage: destination clear, road unsure

Stakeholders see different paths to reaching 1,500 MW of energy storage by 2025.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 23, 2018

Exelon CEO: Carbon price preferable to 'band-aid' nuke subsidies

Chris Crane said he would prefer a market-based climate solution to state resource subsidies and does not know the status of a White House bailout proposal for coal and nuclear plants. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 23, 2018

Virtual contracts drive a boom in corporate renewables procurement

As options for renewable energy purchase agreements grow, more businesses are coming into the market voluntarily.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2018

Revival of Bellefonte nuclear project could rest with Memphis muni

Private investor Nuclear Development wants to revive a defunct TVA nuclear project, but it needs Memphis Light, Gas and Water to buy the electrical output.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 23, 2018

Environmental groups cite hurricane concerns in coal ash suit against EPA

The groups are suing Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler and the EPA in the context of an August ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals, which established previous Obama-era guidelines hadn't gone far enough in protecting consumers.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 23, 2018

Report: Expected ruling on Summer cost recovery could imperil Dominion-SCANA merger

SCE&G wants to recover about $5 billion from ratepayers for the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project through the Base Load Review Act, which a judge is expected to overturn for being at odds with the state's constitution.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 23, 2018

FirstEnergy West Virginia coal plant staves off 2019 deactivation

The Pleasants Power Station will instead retire in June 2022, according to FirstEnergy officials.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2018

New campaign will ask coal users to face the 'cold hard economic case' against them

With 150 GW of U.S. coal set to remain in service after 2020, the Rocky Mountain Institute aims to prove the resource is raising electricity costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 22, 2018

Even in Indiana, new renewables are cheaper than existing coal plants

Eliminating coal generation by 2028, and replacing it with renewables, storage and demand management, will be cheaper than keeping the plants online or converting them to gas, says Northern Indiana Public Service Co.

By Gavin Bade • Updated Oct. 25, 2018

Emails show Arizona regulator Olson copied utility talking points on rooftop solar

The revelation comes as Olson runs for reelection and utility spending booms in the fight over a 50% renewable energy standard.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2018