FERC approves NiSource plan to sell NIPSCO stake to private-equity firm Blackstone

FERC Commissioner Mark Christie called for tighter M&A reviews, saying there is an “inherent tension” between profit-seeking investment firms and utilities with the duty to provide reliable power at just and reasonable rates.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 20, 2023

How Google is decarbonizing its facilities

Smart temperature and lighting controls, power purchase agreements and building electrification are all being used by the tech giant to reduce scope 2 emissions.

By Joe Burns • Oct. 17, 2023

FERC extends review of Vistra-Energy Harbor merger, delaying $6.3B deal’s potential close

The half-year extension announced Friday comes as the PJM Interconnection’s market monitor and others continue to raise concerns the deal would give Vistra the ability to unfairly influence power prices.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 16, 2023

New York PSC approves big rate increases, $5.2B investments for Avangrid utilities

Customers of New York State Electric & Gas will see monthly bills increase more than $30 over three years. Average RG&E residential electric bills will rise more than $19 over three years.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 13, 2023

2024 US power sector conferences to watch

Start planning for this year’s events, which will cover the clean energy transition, state and federal energy policy and more.

By Larry Pearl • Updated Feb. 16, 2024

New BlackRock fund targets companies transitioning to net zero emissions

The asset management firm has shifted resources to climate-specific funds after the SEC moved to increase accountability on ESG funds.

By Lamar Johnson • Oct. 10, 2023

Bank of America upgrades Xcel Energy to ‘buy’ on strength of Colorado resource plan

Xcel’s plan to double its renewable resources in Colorado lays the foundation “for an upward inflection in rate base growth to the end of the decade,” said analysts at Bank of America.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 10, 2023

Going digital: Transforming experiences for utility customers, employers and employees alike

How transitioning to an agile, cloud-based operating system can benefit not only end-use customers, but can transform business operations internally.

By Jon Paull, Chief Customer and Operating Officer, Octopus Energy Group • Oct. 9, 2023

BP deploys first Archaea modular renewable natural gas plant at Rumpke landfill

BP hopes the modular design will help Archaea rapidly deploy its renewable natural gas technology at additional landfills.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 5, 2023

An optimal clean energy procurement strategy? Google and others are working on it.

Carbon-matching, 24/7 hourly purchases and standardized power purchase agreements are emerging approaches as the corporate green energy market evolves.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 3, 2023

Hawaiian Electric CEO defends Maui wildfire decisions at House hearing

The utility’s protocols did not include de-energizing power lines during high-fire-risk conditions, Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Shelee Kimura told lawmakers.

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 29, 2023

Moody’s hikes Southern, Georgia Power outlook to ‘positive’ on Vogtle progress

Georgia Power also issued a request for information as it potentially seeks at least 3.7 GW in power supplies, including storage, storage+renewables and thermal generation.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 27, 2023

Customer-driven clean energy procurement, not regulation, is driving decarbonization

In 2022, voluntary renewable energy procurement deals by corporate and institutional customers were equivalent to 70% of the carbon-free energy capacity added to the grid.

By Kevin Hagen • Sept. 25, 2023

More than 300 Apple suppliers have commited to clean energy

The device maker also released its first carbon-neutral devices as it closes on its goal of dramatically cutting emissions in its supply chain.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 19, 2023

Vistra plans to sell nearly 400 MW in PJM to ease market power fears from Energy Harbor deal

The plan to sell generating units in Ohio will accelerate the merger review process, the companies told federal regulators Monday. They plan to close the $6.3 billion deal by the end of the year.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 19, 2023

Holtec International formally launches process to restart Palisades nuclear power plant

“[A]lthough we see no real obstacles ahead, re-powering of a dormant plant such as Palisades would be a feat that has never been achieved before,” Holtec International CEO Kris Singh said.

By Larry Pearl • Updated Oct. 9, 2023

Moody’s raises utility sector outlook to ‘stable’ while Bank of America remains cautious

Analysts at Bank of America say utility stocks are “close to fairly valued," with wildfires posing an existential threat to some.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2023

PJM, market participants reach agreement to resolve $1.8B in Winter Storm Elliott fines

The agreement potentially resolving disputes with Calpine, Energy Harbor, LS Power and others is slated to be filed with federal regulators late this month.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 5, 2023

Eos Energy lands $400M DOE conditional loan guarantee for long-duration battery plant

Eos — with a $9.7 billion, 37 GWh project pipeline — expects a Department of Energy loan guarantee will spur customer interest in its long-duration battery systems.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 1, 2023

Peregrine Energy bags $700M financing agreement to fund 7 GW storage and renewables pipeline

The funding will help Peregrine bring its project portfolio into operation and enable the firm to capture market arbitrage opportunities and expand into new areas, the company said

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 1, 2023

Kentucky PSC rejects AEP utility’s 250-MW cryptomining power supply contract

Kentucky Power’s proposed power supply contract could have increased electricity bills for all the utility’s customers, the state commission said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 30, 2023

DOJ raises market power concerns for PJM in Vistra-Energy Harbor deal

Vistra could withhold power from a gas-fired power plant in Ohio to increase prices for nuclear plants that would be bought in the roughly $6.3 billion deal, the DOJ’s Antitrust Division said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 23, 2023

Hawaiian Electric eyes bankruptcy after Maui wildfires in ‘prudent scenario planning’

“Like any company in this situation would do, and as we do in the normal course of business, we are seeking advice from various experts,” Hawaiian Electric and its parent company said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 21, 2023

3 reasons composite matting is right for disaster recovery

Utilities can be best prepared for disaster recovery efforts by utilizing composite matting.

Aug. 21, 2023

With first-of-its-kind PTC transfer, AEP sells 1.3 GW of unregulated renewables to Invenergy-led group

American Electric Power’s sale of its unregulated renewable energy assets is part of the utility company’s effort to focus on its regulated operations.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 17, 2023