Cutting ties with ComEd could cost Chicago $8.8B, report finds

As a result of the hefty expected costs of separation, city leaders say creating Chicago's own municipal utility is likely not feasible.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 1, 2020

As utility collaboration with charging companies rises, emerging differences could impede EV growth

To accelerate EV charging infrastructure deployment, former competitors are working together, but new questions threaten to lead to dissension.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 31, 2020

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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

Taking charge: Fluence CEO Manuel Pérez Dubuc views storage as the 'holy grail' for high renewables

"We really need to prepare ourselves for scaling up the company, and I think that’s my role," Dubuc told Utility Dive in a recent interview. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 28, 2020

Wasatch Group, sonnen plan 24 MW, 60 MWh virtual power plants in California for $130M

The companies are beginning the first of seven retrofit projects in September in a Fresno apartment community, planning to add 3,000 batteries and solar power to homes.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 27, 2020

Utilities response to the pandemic — heads - shareholders win; tails - consumers lose

Colorado is a case study where even consumer advocates treat it as a foregone conclusion that consumers will be on the hook for the consequences of an economic downturn, and utilities will be allowed to pocket the savings.

By Frances Koncilja • Aug. 24, 2020

As North Carolina regulators block another pipeline, Duke searches for options to meet gas demand

Following North Carolina's denial on Tuesday of a key water permit for the Mountain Valley Pipeline extension and the cancellation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, the utility is exploring its options.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 13, 2020

Sunrun posts Q2 loss but anticipates storage boost as battery prices fall, blackouts persist

Sunrun has developed a pipeline of deals to provide grid services, such as virtual power plants, in half of the regions it operates, CEO Lynn Jurich said during the company's second quarter earnings call.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 12, 2020

Budget pressures, COVID-19 drive Boulder to settlement talks with Xcel Energy

After 10 years of work toward establishing municipal power generation, the City of Boulder has announced a proposed settlement with Xcel Energy to continue progress toward clean energy at lower cost.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 11, 2020

PPL to exit UK market, focus on growing US utility investments

The simplified corporate structure aims to "unlock shareowner value," said PPL officials. The company's first-half earnings have taken a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic, but full-year guidance remains stable.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 11, 2020

After ComEd bribery case, Illinois groups push for changes to clean energy bill

The groups want to undo recent rate increases from Ameren Illinois and ComEd, but the state Chamber of Commerce will not support the update if it still protects Exelon's nuclear plants.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 6, 2020

Sempra Energy bullish on hydrogen as California navigates natural gas future

The company sees opportunities in power generation, industrial processes and fueling heavy-duty transportation, an executive said. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 5, 2020

bp targets $5B annual renewables spending, 50 GW by 2030

The international oil company gave greater insight into its plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 after taking a $16.8 billion hit in Q2 of this year.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 5, 2020

WEC Energy Group targets carbon neutrality by 2050 after hitting emissions goals a decade early

The Wisconsin-based electric provider plans to nearly double existing emission reductions over the next decade with a $900 million investment in renewable energy.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 4, 2020

Dominion shakes up leadership, focuses on renewables after pipeline cancellation

CEO Tom Farrell is transitioning to a new role in a "long designed succession process" as the company takes a $2.8 billion charge related to the canceled Atlantic Coast Pipeline. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 3, 2020

PG&E faces soaring insurance costs, leadership changes in rest of 2020

PG&E Corp. recorded a $1.97 billion loss in the second quarter of 2020, compared to a $2.55 billion loss during the same period last year.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 31, 2020

GE's renewables division reports nearly $200M in Q2 losses due to COVID-19 delays

GE Renewable Energy reported year-over-year orders down 19%, but revenues for the first half of 2020 have increased slightly, hinting at a gradual recovery after cost-saving measures.

By Emma Penrod • July 31, 2020

ComEd CEO says no ratepayer funds involved in alleged bribery, misconduct

While Illinois regulators pledge to investigate ComEd's actions, recent reports of Chair Carrie Zalewski's connections to the scandal led to requests for her to resign or recuse herself.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 30, 2020

Tesla sues Rivian alleging trade secret theft as companies jockey for EV dominance

Tesla says Rivian persuaded employees to misappropriate specific confidential information before leaving Tesla, according to the company’s filing in California Superior Court.

By Guy Burdick • July 30, 2020

Citi, Bank of America join Morgan Stanley in carbon disclosure group

Citi also pledged $250 billion over the next five years to finance low-carbon solutions in renewable energy, water quality and conservation, sustainable transportation, green buildings and sustainable agriculture.

By Dan Ennis • July 30, 2020

Ohio political scandal nicks AEP stock price, FirstEnergy CEO clarifies defense as shares languish

AEP supported passage of Ohio HB 6 bailing out FirstEnergy’s nuclear plants but denies any direct involvement with the dark money group that is now the target of $61 million federal racketeering probe.

By John Funk • July 29, 2020

FirstEnergy CEO counters alleged company role in $61M bribery scheme during Q2 earnings call

Despite a profitable second quarter, FirstEnergy's share price struggled to reach $30 after a brutal decline last week.

By John Funk • July 27, 2020

Ohio governor says nuclear bailout bill 'tainted' by alleged bribery, calls for repeal

FirstEnergy's shareholders are facing huge losses as the FE share price tumbles. A dozen nationally ranked investor-oriented law firms announced intentions Wednesday to file class action lawsuits against FE on behalf of shareholders.

By John Funk • Updated July 23, 2020

Top Ohio lawmaker charged with accepting $61M bribe in scheme to pass nuclear bailout

FBI agents arrested Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four high-powered political consultants yesterday on bribery charges, following an investigation into how he allegedly engineered controversial legislation in 2019.

By John Funk • July 21, 2020

Morgan Stanley joins group aiming to measure, reduce climate impact

The move comes less than two weeks after JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo were revealed as backers of a renewable energy group's Center for Climate-Aligned Finance.

By Dan Ennis • July 21, 2020

COVID-19 puts spotlight on equity considerations in utility clean energy, efficiency and relief efforts

Utilities are engaging in programs and actions, including cost shifting, that can bring benefits to low-income customers, according to participants of the NARUC summer policy summit.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 21, 2020