FirstEnergy: Electricity rates 10%-40% below peers will buffer customers from $18B in capital spending

In addition, FirstEnergy is considering buying a 1.3-GW coal-fired power plant in West Virginia at the direction of state utility regulators, company officials said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 15, 2023

Exelon bumps 4-year capital spending plan up to $31.3B, expects 8% annual rate base growth

Exelon’s utilities connected their customers to nearly $600 million of energy assistance in 2022, up more than $100 million from 2021, Calvin Butler, Exelon president and CEO, said Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of affordability.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 15, 2023

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

Ford to invest $3.5B to build Michigan EV battery plant

The lithium iron phosphate battery plant is part of Ford’s $50 billion effort to grow its EV business by 2026. 

By Kate Magill • Feb. 14, 2023

Dominion stops pursuing ITCs for contracted solar, joining Duke in Q4 renewables impairment charge

Dominion CFO Steven Ridge said the company has decided to invest capital elsewhere after using the projects to develop solar expertise that it can use on the regulated side of its business.

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 10, 2023

PG&E Corp., utility subsidiary credit outlook improves to ‘positive’ on wildfire mitigation efforts: Moody’s

In addition, the utility company’s mostly new management team has improved stakeholder relations, the ratings agency said Wednesday.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 10, 2023

BP CEO describes Archaea acquisition as a ‘game changer’ for boosting biogas volumes

In their first earnings call since completing the purchase of a leading landfill gas project developer, BP executives outlined plans to ramp up capital spending and pursue new offtake options for the Archaea platform.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 8, 2023

House Republicans target SEC climate risk rule

Having taken control of the U.S. House, Republicans are redoubling efforts to thwart the Biden administration’s sustainability initiatives.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 7, 2023

B2U reaches 25 MWh storage capacity at California facility with 1,300 used Honda and Nissan EV batteries

In addition to deploying the Honda and Nissan batteries at scale, B2U Storage Solutions said it has tested GM Bolt and Tesla Model 3 battery packs, showing that its system can be configured to operate any EV battery.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 7, 2023

FirstEnergy’s $3.5B deal with Brookfield highlights value of FERC-regulated transmission: analysts

Other utility companies with large FERC-regulated transmission ratebases include Ameren, AEP, Edison International, Exelon, Eversource, Pinnacle West Capital, PPL and Sempra, according to Morgan Stanley.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 7, 2023

New York ISO warns NextEra, others against lobbying over transmission

NYISO’s CEO wrote to the chief executives of three energy companies and the New York Power Authority to “clarify” the process for selecting transmission projects.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 6, 2023

ChargePoint, Stem strike EV charging and battery storage deal for highway corridor fast-charging networks

Combining charging, battery storage and AI-driven energy management will save money for EV site operators, the companies say.

By Stephen Singer • Feb. 1, 2023

Moody’s lowers Tri-State’s outlook to ‘negative’ as three members seek to exit, cost recovery stalls

The revised outlook issued Tuesday also reflects a rate decrease for Tri-State’s members, which prevents the wholesale power supplier from fully recovering its expenses.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 1, 2023

First Solar brings US manufacturing investment to $4B after selling out of panels through 2025

The company wants to bring its annual domestic manufacturing capacity to 10.6 GW by 2025.

By Diana DiGangi • Feb. 1, 2023

NextEra charts path for renewables expansion, but campaign finance allegations loom in the background

Florida Power & Light CEO Eric Silagy announced plans to retire, triggering questions during NextEra’s Q4 earnings call about allegations that FPL violated state and federal campaign finance laws.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 30, 2023

GE Hitachi and 3 partners announce first commercial contract for grid-scale SMR in North America

Site preparation and related work have begun, and the small modular reactor is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2028.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 30, 2023

As SMR developer X-energy moves to go public, merger partner Ares cautions investors about risks

Investors were warned of small modular reactors’ limited operating experience and other challenges that could lead to higher-than-expected construction costs, maintenance requirements and operating expenses.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 27, 2023

2023 US Power Sector Outlook

2023 promises to be another busy year for the U.S. energy transition as stakeholders move to implement new clean energy measures while tackling growing security, reliability, equity and affordability challenges.

By The Utility Dive Team • Jan. 25, 2023

Xcel, other utilities launch dedicated planning teams to streamline energy transition, boost innovation

Xcel Energy is starting the new year with a new company division and a fresh outlook on planning for a carbon-neutral future.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 25, 2023

Solar expected to see demand boom from Inflation Reduction Act in 2023 as supply chain remains uncertain

One expert anticipates a “hangover effect” from supply chain struggles will linger throughout the year. 

By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 19, 2023

Hanwha, LG Energy Solution partner on battery production in US

The companies will collaborate to grow their battery businesses amid heightened demand for clean energy solutions.

By Megan Ruggles • Jan. 19, 2023

OSHA fines Eversource $333,560 over alleged workplace violations in accident that killed a Boston worker

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration accused the utility of not fully de-energizing electrical equipment or following the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 17, 2023

Georgia Power delays Vogtle 3 start after discovering vibrations in plant’s cooling system

Georgia Power now expects Unit 3 will be placed in service in April.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 13, 2023

Qcells to invest $2.5B to build complete US solar supply chain, expand annual capacity to 8.4 GW

Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff said the expansion is the largest clean energy manufacturing project in American history and will create 2,500 jobs in the state.

By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 11, 2023

FERC approves Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric membership in Southeast Energy Exchange Market

Opponents of SEEM continue to argue that the market violates federal regulations, but a FERC majority said that question was not at issue in this membership approval.

By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 10, 2023

AEP Ohio seeks approval for electric security plan with $2.2B in reliability spending

The utility expects its plan will increase residential rates by about 2.3% annually over six years.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 9, 2023