Power industry spending on federal lobbying declines

Data shows a decline in the amount major power players are spending to lobby federal lawmakers.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2015

PNM seeks more time to complete San Juan coal plant deals

PNM needs time to buy all 4 units and complete a coal deal for the 2 units it will keep running. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 5, 2015

SDG&E forming coalition to back proposal for 550 car charging stations

The necessary stakeholders, including automakers and environmentalists, are becoming aligned for the utility's big EV charging rollout.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 5, 2015

Advanced Microgrid Solutions taps Tesla in huge battery buy for CA grid

AMS plans to install up to 500 MWh of Tesla batteries for energy storage projects with California utilities. 

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2015

Duke acquires rights to 80 MW North Carolina solar project

The project was initially being developed by SunEnergy1, with a construction price north of $200 million.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2015

Federal regulators approve Iberdrola-UIL merger

The combined company will have almost 7 GW of installed capacity.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2015

Report: Utilities struggle to find new business models

Environmental policies and the growth of distributed generation are also significant challenges for the industry.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2015

Arkansas utilities exceeding energy efficiency goals

Last year the  American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy named Arkansas among the most improved states in the nation for energy efficiency.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2015

Danish company proposes over 100 floating wind turbines for Hawaii

The developer says the 400 MW installation could satisfy 30% of the energy needs for Oahu, Hawaii's most populated island.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2015

Missouri regulators indicate they will reject Grain Belt Express transmission line

3 Commissioners say the benefits of new wires don't justify granting eminent domain.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 4, 2015

PPL completes spinoff of competitive generation business

Combined with generation asssets held by Riverstone Holdings, the new entity is among the largest independent power producers in the country.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2015

Growing public utility Sonoma Clean Power ousts PG&E from county

Three more communities in Sonoma County, Calif., have made the clean energy agency their default provider.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2015

DC Attorney General opposes Exelon-Pepco merger, Council pases study of utility alternatives

More trouble for Exelon in the nation's capital, the last jurisdiction left to approve the deal.

By Gavin Bade • June 1, 2015

Illinois AG, consumer group accuse Dynegy of MISO market manipulation

Federal regulators will take comment on the allegations until June 17.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2015

Xcel seeks fixed fee hike for Wisconsin customers

Fixed charges shift grid costs to more ratepayers but discourage energy efficiency and rooftop solar, critics say.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2015

NRG, ITC partner in proposed $3.5B bailout Puerto Rico's troubled utility

The two companies have reportedly partnered with a private investment firm in a $3.5 billion deal to assist the island's ailing utility.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2015

SCE&G, Duke reach settlements to add 190 MW of solar in South Carolina

SCE&G will add 84 MW, and Duke will construct 106 MW, each split equally between utility-scale installments, and residential, C&I, and community solar projects.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 29, 2015

PG&E flooded with 5,000 MW of applications for energy storage

SDG&E and SCE also working to meet California’s 1,325 MW by 2020 energy storage mandate.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 29, 2015

Weak winds in Q1 hit utilities, developers in their pocketbooks

But, analysts say increased accuracy of long-term forecasts for bigger wind projects eases the short term concerns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 28, 2015

Inside Hawaii activists' push to ditch HECO and transform the utility business model

Doubts about the NextEra merger are fueling calls for a co-op or muni for each island.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 28, 2015

Updated: Georgia Power moving into rooftop solar market this summer

The Southern Co. subisidary is looking to move into the market once a new third party ownership law is instituted in July.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 28, 2015

Westar Energy backs new 200 MW Kansas wind farm

The buy brings Kansas' largest utility to nearly 1,300 MW of renewable generation.

By Robert Walton • May 28, 2015

Duke developing 2 MW storage facility for PJM frequency regulation

PJM's brimming freqency response market gets another capacity addition.

By Robert Walton • May 27, 2015

Buffett's BHE Renewables buys 655 MW of wind, 7 solar projects

Warren Buffett's unregulated renewables subsidiary acquires Nebraska, Minnesota, and Illinois holdings from Geronimo Energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 27, 2015

Ariz. group: Phone records show close ties between head regulator, APS

A nonprofit group backed by renewable energy supporters says Arizona Corporation Commission's Bob Stump, who served as chairman last year, traded large numbers of text messages with utility officials and candidates during the election season.

By Robert Walton • May 27, 2015