California tees up proposals to securitize $7.5B in PG&E wildfire costs

Without the securitization, "ratepayer costs will be higher as it will take PG&E longer to achieve investment grade credit ratings," according to the California Public Utilities Commission. 

By Kavya Balaraman • April 7, 2021

State of the Electric Utility 2021

The 8th annual State of the Electric Utility Survey Report provides a pulse on industry trends from nearly 500 utility professionals, many at the VP level and above, along with insight from a broad range of industry experts.

By Nami Sumida • April 1, 2021

Duke, other utilities see dollar signs in becoming EV experts

Prospects for EV adoption are compelling utilities to consider providing related services to fleet customers as a business opportunity, including using EVs as a distributed resource, in concert with solar and battery storage.

By Matthew Bandyk • March 24, 2021

Southern Company identifies 'likely' nuclear construction delay on Vogtle unit

Vogtle Unit 3's in-service date could be pushed back at least a month from its November 2021 target, which would add $25 million per month in additional costs for Georgia Power.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 22, 2021

Rhode Island court clears way for PPL acquisition of National Grid's Narragansett Electric

The Superior Court's decision followed a settlement agreement between PPL and the Rhode Island attorney general's office.

By Robert Walton • Updated May 24, 2022

SEC official: Companies avoiding ESG disclosures 'risk higher costs of capital'

Disclosing some ESG-related issues may eventually prove as important for companies as reporting asbestos-related risks, a top SEC official said.

By Jim Tyson • March 17, 2021

After year of slow sales, First Solar looks to rebound in 2021 with focus on innovation, manufacturing

CEO Mark Widmar says he is pleased with company's 2020 performance despite COVID-related delays that triggered a $400 million decline in sales.

By Emma Penrod • March 1, 2021

Gas isn't going anywhere, say finance gurus. 'The death of the LDC has been way overstated.'

Shareholders may ultimately turn their backs on natural gas, but private owners will keep delivering that fuel, according to a panel of investment bankers.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2021

California proposes enhanced oversight of PG&E as concerns rise over wildfire mitigation

The process is based on six steps triggered by certain events and could potentially lead to the commission reviewing — and possibly revoking — PG&E’s operational certification down the road.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 26, 2021

Exelon announces plan to spin off generation assets into second company

The split will result in the creation of two "best-in-class" companies free to focus on their own unique strengths, Exelon CEO Chris Crane says.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 25, 2021

Dominion proposes ending its South Carolina coal generation by 2030

The majority of Dominion's scenarios for its next integrated resource plan include large blocks of solar and solar-plus-battery-storage added between 2030 and 2048.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 24, 2021

Amazon signs its largest offshore wind deal, following 3.4 GW in new renewables procurement

The tech giant has procured 10-year contracts for 380 MW and 250 MW at offshore wind plants being constructed in the Netherlands and Germany, respectively.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 16, 2021

SEC appoints policy advisor to advance new initiatives on ESG

The appointment of an ESG advisor by the acting SEC chair follows commitments by President Biden to redouble efforts to combat climate change.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 3, 2021

Houston, Uber and BP partner to aid EV transition for drivers

The trio will explore the deployment of BP's rapid charging electric vehicle stations throughout Houston, aiming to support the city's EV adoption goals and plans to create an equitable charging network.

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 2, 2021

Tesla: Batteries better for long-haul EVs, hydrogen is 'just crazy'

CEO Elon Musk said the company does not have enough battery cells to put its Semi truck into full production.

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 1, 2021

NextEra to add up to 30 GW new renewables in next 4 years, target more C&I customers

CEO Jim Robo said he expects the company's renewable development program to be further enhanced by its ability to attract commercial and industrial customers, while noting the ongoing challenges to more renewables.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 27, 2021

Leeward to acquire 10 GW First Solar project pipeline, accelerating growth ambitions

The $261 million acquisition will enable more rapid expansion in the increasingly competitive business of solar development, according to Leeward.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 26, 2021

Utility sector's credit quality weakened in 2020, but not because of COVID-19: S&P

Credit downgrades for regulated utilities in North America outstripped upgrades for the first time in a decade, according to S&P Global Ratings, as different companies faced unprecedented wildfire seasons and bribery charges.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 22, 2021

Global corporate solar funding rises 24% to $14.5B in 2020, after 25% drop in first half: Mercom

Despite a disappointing first half of the year, investments and acquisitions in the sector recovered significantly, with a record 39.5 GW of large-scale projects changing hands in 2020, compared to 26.1 GW in 2019.

By Leslie Nemo • Jan. 14, 2021

Renewables, storage stocks soar as Democrat-led Congress improves environment for green investments

In response to favorable investment conditions, renewables and energy storage companies' stocks — including Sunrun, Tesla, Bloom Energy, Eos Energy and First Solar — have seen significant gains lately.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 8, 2021

Lion Electric's journey to the NYSE, explained

Special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, are trendy, and they have been helping green truck companies go public.

By Jim Stinson • Jan. 6, 2021

Top Utility Trends of 2020

Amid significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the power sector's transition to a cleaner, more distributed future continues.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 5, 2021

Want to know how to pick an energy market? Watch the Mountain West power providers

Xcel Colorado just joined California’s imbalance market, SPP will offer imbalance services, and researchers have proposed a Colorado-centric system. But what do power providers want?

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2021

Dominion files plans with federal regulators for 2.6 GW offshore wind project, largest in US to date

The filing with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management follows Dominion's construction of the first offshore wind turbines approved by regulators in federal waters.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 22, 2020

APS's plan for closing coal plants could be a gamechanger, analysts say, but who will pay?

The company's current rate case includes $144.45 million for communities impacted by its proposed coal closures, the biggest-ever such U.S. utility commitment, but customers would pay over 80% of the plan.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 18, 2020