Dominion gas explosion kills 1, injures 17 in North Carolina

A rupture to a two-inch gas line caused a leak that led to the explosion late Wednesday morning.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 11, 2019

Report: PG&E sanctioned for physical and cybersecurity-related violations

DTE Energy and City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri, have also been penalized for violating critical infrastructure protection rules from 2014 to 2016, coinciding with a Russia-based campaign to infiltrate American utility defenses.

By HJ Mai • April 10, 2019

Bankruptcy judge turns back FirstEnergy reorganization plan

The company's deal with creditors would have shielded it from cleanup costs at 8 GW of retiring coal and nuclear plants, but the judge called it "patently unconfirmable."

By Gavin Bade • April 5, 2019

Idaho Power claims one of lowest-priced solar deals at 2.2 cents/kWh

Once constructed, the 120-MW facility will help the utility replace coal-fired power it currently gets from the North Valmy plant in Nevada.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2019

PG&E taps new CEO, 10 directors to lead utility through bankruptcy

Former TVA chief Bill Johnson will take over leadership and seven board members will step down as the embattled utility seeks new direction following a bankruptcy filing related to California's deadly wildfires.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2019

Save coal plant and prevent forest fires? APS assesses biomass conversion at Arizona unit

The Arizona Corporation Commission last December adopted a policy to encourage power generation from forest biomass in an effort to address the risk of wildfires while also creating jobs.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 4, 2019

NiSource report emphasizes safety after Massachusetts gas explosions, accelerates emissions targets

The utility said it has replaced over 430 miles of gas pipeline and plans to invest another $150 million to install shut-off devices on its low pressure systems after a series of deadly explosions in September.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 3, 2019

Watchdog raises concerns over Duke's request to recover $137M for cybersecurity upgrades

After paying a record-breaking $10 million fine in January for cybersecurity violations, the utility asked federal regulators to recover their investments in system upgrades from their rate base.

By HJ Mai • April 3, 2019

Federal judge blocks potential path to viability for 2.3 GW Navajo coal plant

Coal producer Peabody Energy, the Hopi Tribe and labor union United Mine Workers of America tried to add legal pressure onto the Central Arizona Project to ensure the coal-fired plant had a large buyer for its output.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 3, 2019

Duke proposes adding nearly 2.5K EV chargers in North Carolina

Depending how quickly state regulators act, the $76 million program could be operational as soon as Q3, according to Duke Energy's director of electrification strategy, Lang Reynolds.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 2, 2019

As 100% renewables goals proliferate, what role for utilities?

The momentum behind demand for renewables is growing; utilities lose if they ignore it and there is much to gain in planning ahead.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 2, 2019

Controversial $1B Canada-US transmission line gets Maine PUC approval

The key certificate, unanimously granted by the state's three commissioners, advances the 145-mile transmission corridor that would deliver hydropower from Quebec to Massachusetts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 11, 2019

PJM files update to energy market price formation rules with FERC

The proposed tariff changes from the grid operator seek to resolve the "unjust and unreasonable" design of its reserve market rules.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 1, 2019

Exclusive: PG&E's future rests on board picks, CPUC president says

California regulators could reorganize the company or revoke its license to operate if they do not like new selections for its board of directors, California Public Utilities Commission President Michael Picker said in a wide-ranging interview. 

By Gavin Bade • March 29, 2019

GE sheds 650 MW of renewable assets

Enel Green Power North America purchased the generation for approximately $256 million, less than two months after General Electric said it would restructure and expand its renewables business.

By Robert Walton • March 26, 2019

The biggest numbers game in the power sector: Data analytics and the utility community of the future

Data analytics are helping utilities improve operations and customer engagement, but a decentralized transactive energy network is in the works and will require additional computing advances.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 25, 2019

As first US utility-scale offshore wind project nears approval, supply chain, permitting come into focus

Despite a lack of domestic components and a complex permitting process, Vineyard Wind is confident in its ability to move forward this summer with construction of its 800 MW project off the coast of Massachusetts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 18, 2019

Dominion strikes deadline day utility deal to keep Millstone nuke operating

The company warned that New England's sole nuclear generator could retire if a contract for its output was not signed by March 15. 

By Gavin Bade • March 15, 2019

Market Monitor: 3 GW nukes, 12 GW coal uneconomic in PJM

The only nuclear plants receiving market signals to retire are one-unit generators, Monitoring Analytics said, and the only one to recieve a state subsidy "did not need" it.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 15, 2019

PG&E cleared of criminal charges in 8 2017 blazes as fire officials say SCE sparked Thomas Fire

As California utilities reckon with the devastating wildfires from 2017, PG&E still faces civil lawsuits regarding the incidents, although most proceedings have been paused by their declaration of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated March 14, 2019

Independent developer proposes $2.5B underground transmission line, to bring Iowa wind to PJM, MISO

The project seeks to connect two of the largest electricity markets in the country to an Iowa wind farm and achieve greater cost reductions by experimenting with new forms of construction for the first-of-its-kind project.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 13, 2019

Insurer Munich Re offers 10-year warranty on battery storage performance

The company backed the flow battery developed by ESS with a decade-long performance guarantee, a first in energy storage technologies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated March 13, 2019

Pennsylvania lawmaker: State crafted nuke subsidy bill after DOE said not to wait for bailout

The new bill to provide financial support to the state's nine nuclear plants is part of a trend of states taking the lead on premature retirements in the face of inaction from the federal government. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 12, 2019

Hungry for green power, tech giants choose between utilities, independent developers

Utilities increasingly supply 100% renewable energy to large customers, raising questions about why they don't purchase more wind and solar for their entire consumer base. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 12, 2019

Dominion faces March 15 deadline to secure utility contracts for Millstone nuke

The plant owner has been negotiating with Eversource and United Illuminating to secure higher priced power purchase agreements, according to local news reports. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 8, 2019