Colonial Pipeline faces nearly $1M in penalties as federal regulator discloses probable violations

The Transportation Department’s pipeline safety regulator scrutinized control room management, which may have contributed to the fuel disruptions from the 2021 ransomware attack.

By David Jones • May 9, 2022

Gov. Newsom open to extending Diablo Canyon nuclear plant's life, but analysts differ on feasibility and need

Changing course on the planned retirement of the nuclear plant would be surprising given California's efforts to procure new electricity resources to replace it, one expert said.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 5, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Reliability

Rising peak demand, extreme weather and other factors are raising power outage risks in the U.S., but FERC and other stakeholders are pursuing multiple actions to address reliability concerns.

By Utility Dive staff

The fight for a national clean energy transmission system emerges on three fronts

DOE’s multi-part transmission study, FERC’s refocus on transmission planning, and macrogrid advocacy efforts could produce an interconnected nation ready for net zero electricity by 2035, industry, government and other experts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 3, 2022

DOE advances $2.3B grid resilience funding program for states, tribes

The funding comes as the U.S. is seeing more frequent and longer power outages, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

By Ethan Howland • April 28, 2022

Cyber agencies renew warnings of Russia-linked threats against industrial targets

Separately, the U.S. is expanding the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative to include experts on industrial control systems.

By David Jones • April 22, 2022

Energy sector on high alert after discovery of new malware targeting industrial control systems

Federal agencies warn the vulnerability could allow hackers to "gain full system access" to some control devices.

By Robert Walton • April 18, 2022

Managing high-volume infrastructure deployment

Learn how industry experts are creating a distributed, decarbonized and digitized electric grid.

April 18, 2022

Arizona regulators deny SRP gas plant expansion, citing community impacts and insufficient supporting evidence

Salt River Project said the decision creates a near-term resource issue and that it will continue to evaluate its "generation and market options."

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2022

Reliability concerns drive need for energy market design reforms, but regions diverge in FERC proceeding

Filings from FERC proceedings show a one-size-fits-all reform can't sufficiently address regional market diversity, but federal guidelines can target growing uncertainties and costs from rising variable and distributed resource penetrations.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 11, 2022

This is not a dress rehearsal: What critical infrastructure owners and operators can do right now to defend against nation-state threats

Grid modernization has created a complex ecosystem of network-connected equipment. Fortunately, there are immediate actions that industrial operators and utilities can take.

April 11, 2022

NERC's mock cyberattack reveals 'urgent need' to bolster grid restoration communication systems

In the event of an attack and widespread outage, "the loss of communications would essentially halt the grid restoration process," according to a North American Electric Reliability Corp. report.

By Robert Walton • April 8, 2022

California approves $11.7M vehicle-to-grid pilots in PG&E footprint

The programs will support the build-out of bidirectional charging equipment, which regulators say can provide broader resiliency benefits.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated May 6, 2022

Constellation NewEnergy agrees to pay $4.7M to settle allegations it violated CAISO's market rules

FERC said the retail energy provider failed to provide power twice when called upon by the California grid operator in 2017.

By Ethan Howland • March 30, 2022

Hawaiian Electric to revisit Maui capacity planning amid supply chain concern

The utility has identified a portfolio of measures — including a battery bonus program — it believes will ensure that Maui continues to receive reliable electric service.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 24, 2022

FBI: US energy sector faces 'reconnaissance, scanning' by Russian hackers; 5 companies targeted

Russian hackers may be exploring the potential for attacks on the U.S. energy sector, and several companies have experienced "abnormal scanning" activities, according to the the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2022

White House repeats warnings to critical infrastructure sectors about possible Russia cyber retaliation

The broad warnings come after federal authorities convened more than 100 critical infrastructure organizations to share classified cyberthreat information.  

By David Jones • March 22, 2022

DOE turns to energy storage to build resilience, energy affordability in underserved communities

More than 30% of all households in the U.S. have experienced energy insecurity, according to the DOE. Energy storage projects may be able to help.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 21, 2022

Helping US utilities target grid resilience with digitalization

Having resilient and reliable power is critical for vital services such as healthcare, transportation and financial systems. When smart technologies are in place, power outages can be avoided.

March 21, 2022

What cyber incident reporting rules mean for critical infrastructure

The goal of the legislation is provide legal cover for companies to share threat intelligence with law enforcement and government agencies.

By David Jones • March 16, 2022

Congress adds historic cyber incident reporting rule to massive $1.5 trillion spending package

Key members of Congress and CISA say the bill will help protect critical infrastructure against malicious attacks.

By David Jones • March 15, 2022

SEC pushes for tougher cybersecurity disclosure rules

SEC Chair Gary Gensler said investors demand more detailed information about how companies seek to curb the risk and costs of cyberattacks.

By Jim Tyson • March 10, 2022

Republicans use EV hearing to knock Biden's clean energy policy as US bans oil and gas imports from Russia

The White House on Tuesday warned that drivers may see higher prices at the pump. Clean energy advocates say it is a reminder the country must shift away from fossil fuels.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2022

PG&E, GM initiative will pilot use of electric vehicles to power homes in Northern California

“We see this as ... electric vehicles becoming mobile power sources or mobile batteries, if you will, offering greater energy reliability and resilience,” PG&E executive Aaron August said.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 8, 2022

Could Russia's invasion of Ukraine mean fewer near-term cyberattacks on US utilities?

U.S. critical infrastructure providers are on high alert, but — at least for now — the conflict in Europe could signal a lull in utility ransomware attacks, according to one security consultant.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2022

Texas just dodged a repeat of 2021 outages, but its power sector has a long way to go, analysts say

Texas has weatherized its generators and protected critical infrastructure, but additional market reforms, new technologies, regional support and energy efficiency are still required, policymakers and analysts agreed

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2022