Arizona rural utility proposes demand charge, more fees on rooftop solar users

UniSource Energy Services wants a lower net metering credit and impose a mandatory demand charge on solar customer customers to help recover fixed costs. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 19, 2016

Updated: Puerto Rico Gov. signs utility restructuring bill after legislative approval

Differences with a Senate version passed last week will have to be ironed out before Feb. 23, when a debt agreement reached with the utility's creditors expires.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 17, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Avista Utilities asks Washington state regulators to approve electric vehicle charger pilot

If it goes well, the pilot program could kick off a utility-backed effort to make more EV charging infrastructure available in Washington. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 17, 2016

Texas PUC unsure over Hunt's Oncor proposal

The Public Utility Commission of Texas must make a decision in March on Ray Hunt's proposal to purchase Oncor out of bankruptcy. But as the deadline looms, commissioners are still split over a controversial plan that would reduce the company's tax burden.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2016

Hawaii bill demands NextEra prove consumer benefit for $4.3B Hawaiian Electric merger

The House Bill 2567 would require NextEra to show "substantial net benefit" to customers before state regulators approve its takeover of Hawaiian Electric Industries, but the utility says the bill fails to define net benefits. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2016

Florida critics say utility-backed amendment curbs solar choice

The utilities said the amendment establishes a right for consumers to own or lease solar equipment while ensuring there is no cost-shift on non-distributed solar owners. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 11, 2016

Canada's Algonquin Power & Utilities to buy Empire District in $2.4B deal

The proposed merger continues a trend of Canadian firms snapping up U.S. power assets.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2016

Ex-regulator: NextEra's energy vision for Hawaii isn't good enough

Former Arizona Corporation Commission Chairwoman Kristin Mayes said NextEra Energy failed to show "strong tangible conditions attached to the deal." 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2016

Companies launch first US community solar trade group

The Coalition for Community Solar Access will work to expand policies propelling community solar in emerging markets. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2016

Canada's Fortis to buy ITC Holdings in $11.3B deal

Canadian company Fortis Inc. is moving to acquire ITC Holdings Corp. in a bid to enter the FERC-regulated U.S. transmission market. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 9, 2016

PG&E to launch new community solar program

Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric also prepare to offer their own community solar programs in response to a 2013 California mandate that calls for 600 MW of community solar. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2016

NextEra gives cost estimates for HEI's new energy plan

NextEra was the primary data provider for eight of the 14 project proposals Hawaiian Electric's revised "2016 Power Supply Improvement Plan," which was previously rejected by Hawaiian utility regulators in November 2015. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2016

Poll: Over 50% of Hawaii residents oppose NextEra-HEI merger

Almost two-thirds of those polled by Civil Beat expressed concerns that rates will rise if the deal goes through despite NextEra Energy's assurances that they will not. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2016

Arizona regulators approve $2B SunZia power line over objections from greens

The line's 3,000 MW carrying capacity will deliver New Mexico wind and Arizona solar to demand centers in the Southwest.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 5, 2016

Oncor to regulators: Hunt deal could raise rates

If Ray Hunt's plan to purchase Oncor out of bankruptcy involves merging the utility with Sharyland Utilities, which Hunt already owns, it could mean rate increases for millions of Texas residents.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 5, 2016

Hawaiian Electric emails reveal origins of NextEra deal, frustration with regulators

Hawaiian regulators are considering NextEra Energy's proposed $4.3 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Electric Industries, and in hearings this week, observers have been given a glimpse into how the deal came about. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2016

Arizona regulators to decide if SunZia power line must guarantee space for renewables

Opponents fear that without restrictions, a line planned to transmit renewable energy will end up carrying gas-generated power.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 3, 2016

Electric utility interest in gas takeovers to continue, analysts say

Dominion Resources annouced ths week it was buying Questar for $4.4 billion, and analysts expect similar acquisitions may be on the horizon.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2016

Tesla CEO Musk: New version of Powerwall is coming in summer 2016

The announcement came during a question-and-answer session with the Tesla chief last week in Paris.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 2, 2016

Dominion to buy gas distributor Questar for $4.4B

The Virginia-based electric and gas utility will deepen its investment in natural gas, the company announced Monday.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 1, 2016

17% of Hawaiian Electric customers now have rooftop solar

Hawaii’s electric utility has now processed over 77,000 solar PV interconnection applications.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 1, 2016

Arizona regulator tells APS to open books on political contributions

A member of the Arizona Corporation Commission is demanding to see details of political expenditures made by Arizona Public Service.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2016

Wind industry added 5 GW capacity in Q4 2015 with 75% of contracts to non-utility customers

The wind energy industry now has nearly 74.5 GW of cumulative installed capacity in the United States. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 29, 2016

Puerto Rico utility, creditors renew debt restructuring agreement, extend deadline

Lawmakers in the U.S. territory have until Feb. 16 to pass legislation restructuring its debt and creating a new surcharge.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

Stem partners with HECO to develop distribution platform for solar-storage systems

Stem and HECO will use DOE funding to develop an energy management platform to give the utility greater control over distributed resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2016