DistribuTECH 2015: What utilities dream about when they talk distributed energy

Day 2 is history, and the last day is here. Here's what's been going on.

By Davide Savenije • Feb. 5, 2015

Southern Co. earnings take a hit on Kemper costs

Southern took a $43 million charge related to increased cost estimates for construction of Mississippi Power's Kemper County integrated gasification combined cycle plant.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 5, 2015

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

Why community solar is exploding in Minnesota

Community solar is a huge opportunity for utilities, but it also demands they do solar right.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 5, 2015

Missouri Co-op to build state's first community solar array

Two-thirds of co-op members surveyed wanted a shared solar option.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2015

Should Duke or consumers pay escalating Edwardsport costs?

Duke says the new gasification technology needs time and support, but consumer advocates aren't buying it.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2015

Kemper IGCC plant costs escalate by another $45M

The original $2.4 billion cost estimate for the innovative coal gasification plant is now up to $6.17 billion.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2015

Coal, gas, utility groups back lawsuit against Minnesota coal power import law

Renewables advocates say the case could threaten clean energy mandates in dozens of other states.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2015

Why utility execs say storage is the top emerging energy technology

From grid scale innovation to renewable gases, smart utilities are looking at many choices.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2015

Oregon lawmakers file bill to ban coal power, limit natural gas expansion

The bill would ban coal, requires 90% cleaner fuels and blocks natural gas expansion. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 3, 2015

New PG&E program offers customers 100% solar option

Customers will soon be able to pay $0.02 to $0.03 per kwh extra to get 50% or 100% solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 3, 2015

Obama's budget would make solar, wind tax credits permanent

The President's $4 trillion budget includes an entire chapter on combating climate change.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2015

How utilities are transforming their fuel mixes

“The assumption that DERs are anti-utility is a mental block. Utilities could easily jump into it," said one NRG Energy exec.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 2, 2015

Deepwater wind development sites yield modest sums in auction

RES America and Offshore MW win 25 year leases, but face high development costs in building their wind farms.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 2, 2015

Alaska's Fire Island wind project put on hold for lack of buyers

Improved wind prices fail to match current low natural gas rates.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 2, 2015

Xcel CEO: 2015 will be 'a transformational year in Minnesota'

Xcel earnings rise as the company positions itself for a regulatory shift in Minnesota.

By Davide Savenije • Feb. 2, 2015

Dominion pushes Virginia lawmakers to approve 5-year rate freeze

The utility has proposed concessions in exchange for a rate freeze the utility says is necessary ahead of coming EPA regulations.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2015

NY Gov. Cuomo orders review of NYISO

The state's energy markets were not designed for the spread of cleaner, distributed resources.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2015

New Florida bill would block utilities from passing on gas exploration costs

The bills backers say last month’s PSC-approved FPL investment in Oklahoma shale puts ratepayers at risk.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 30, 2015

U.S. wind finished 2014 with big numbers, quadrupling its 2013 build

Utilities contracted for 3,300 MW of wind in 2014 and 12,000 MW in the last 2 years.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 30, 2015

Why Sunday's Super Bowl will be the most efficient ever

Sports stadiums across the nation are moving to showcase not just athletic ability, but also green power and conservation. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2015

State agents search homes of ex-CPUC chief Peevey, former PG&E exec

The fallout continues from the judge-shopping scandal in Pacific Gas & Electric Co.'s rate case last year.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2015

Inside the debate over the We Energies-Integrys merger

Consumers and industrial customers are pushing back on the potential merger, saying the companies have done little to prove its benefit to ratepayers.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2015

Survey: Trust is key to utility-customer relationship

The nation’s 127 largest electric and gas utilities averaged 725 on a 1,000-point customer satisfaction survey.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2015

AEP generation fleet sale may depend on Ohio rate case

Falling power prices have put seven AEP power plants on the auction block.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2015

NV Energy accelerates solar development to beat tax credit deadline

Projects need to begin construction by mid-2015 to be sure of completion by the end of 2016, when the federal ITC expires.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2015