Cal Fire concludes PG&E did not cause 2017 Tubbs Fire, sending shares soaring

Officials said a private electrical system caused the deadly fire, but the utility remains in financial jeopardy for its involvement in other blazes and is preparing to file for bankruptcy protection.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2019

PG&E balks at judge's potential $150B probation terms as it faces bankruptcy

The judge overseeing PG&E's probation related to the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion is considering new conditions the utility says are infeasible, and a U.S. attorney says could interfere with other state and federal efforts.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

FirstEnergy Solutions reaches restructuring agreement, could emerge from bankruptcy in 2019

The agreement leaves open the possibility FirstEnergy Solutions could continue to own and operate its retail and wholesale load-serving business.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2019

PG&E, SCE, SDG&E pursue subscriptions, time-of-use rates to drive more California EVs

As regulators call for a more formal transportation electrification framework, the state's utilities are stepping up with pilot programs that address peak demand and rate concerns.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2019

PG&E, NextEra face off in bankruptcy-related FERC filings

Pacific Gas & Electric expects the bankruptcy process to stretch two years, or possibly longer, leaving developers worried about getting paid for their existing power purchase agreements.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2019

Bundling small capacity solar: How Bloomberg, Salesforce made VPPA's work for them

The companies partnered with Gap, Cox Enterprises and Workday to purchase 42.5 MW of a larger North Carolina solar project in a collaboration that aims to empower businesses with smaller energy needs to contract renewable energy.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 23, 2019

Gas outages hit 10K in Rhode Island after issue on Algonquin pipeline

Pipeline operator Enbridge reported an explosion on a pipeline that serves Algonquin earlier in the day, but later said the incidents were not connected. 

By Gavin Bade • Updated Jan. 22, 2019

Bailout doubt – PG&E faces bankruptcy amid California's 'first climate change-caused emergency'

Stakeholders say few will benefit from bankruptcy, but alternatives have been dubbed "politically too hot to touch."

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 22, 2019

Southern CEO: Georgia Power to consider resilience in IRP for first time

"Maybe you take coal plants out of service but you keep them alive in the event that you have a resiliency emergency," Tom Fanning told a Washington audience Thursday.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 18, 2019

San Francisco considering municipal utility as PG&E prepares bankruptcy filing

The city government's retail water and power provider is planning for when PG&E files for Chapter 11 protections, "including possibility of acquiring or building electrical infrastructure assets."

By Gavin Bade • Updated Jan. 15, 2019

PG&E to file for bankruptcy protection as California wildfire costs mount

The company that emerges from the Chapter 11 proceeding could look quite different from the large, investor-owned utility holding company that is the biggest player in California.

By Gavin Bade • Updated Jan. 14, 2019

California regulators move to outline wildfire cost recovery as PG&E teeters

The CPUC opened a docket to determine how much PG&E can pay for wildfire damages on the same day that Moody's downgraded its credit rating four notches. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 11, 2019

New California governor prioritizes PG&E as CPUC moves to examine wildfire cost recovery

Democrat Gavin Newsom is reportedly having long conversations with PG&E executives as the utility hires several financial advisors to explore its options.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 10, 2019

AEP seeks 1.2 GW of wind proposals, nearly six months after canceling $4.5B Wind Catcher

AEP subsidiary Southwestern Electric Power Company launched the request Tuesday to take advantage of the federal Production Tax Credit by December 2021.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 9, 2019

Hawaiian Electric submits 7 projects totaling over 1 GWh storage, 260 MW solar for regulatory review

Six of the seven solar+storage projects offer record-low prices for solar-plus-storage grid-scale developments in the state.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 8, 2019

Arizona names head regulator critical of APS political influence

New ACC Chairman Bob Burns could have the votes to force campaign spending disclosures from Arizona Public Service and its parent company.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Jan. 9, 2019

Utilities look to Netflix audience clustering model for customer engagement

As efforts to engage customers grow, utilities are looking to data analytics, online portals and personalized messaging to better understand diverse customer preferences.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 8, 2019

Connecticut moves to preserve Millstone nuclear plant with 10-year power deal

Plant operator Dominion has warned that the state's sole nuclear generator could close without a deal, which must now be approved by state regulators. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 3, 2019

With Hogan 'no' vote, Maryland board rejects Columbia Gas pipeline expansion

Environmental activists hope the governor's vote represents a major shift in energy policy, but company officials remain committed to building the 3.5-mile pipeline.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 3, 2019

10 trends shaping the electric power sector in 2019

From coal bailouts to batteries and wind and solar growth, here are the issues that will define the year to come.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 2, 2019

California AG: PG&E could be prosecuted for murder

Any charges would need to be filed by local officials, but if PG&E's equipment was operated in a reckless manner and is found responsible for sparking wildfires, the utility could face criminal prosecution.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 2, 2019

As California considers breaking up PG&E, utility 'open to a range of solutions'

The Friday before Christmas, state regulators said they would evaluate whether to split Pacific Gas & Electric's natural gas and electricity divisions into separate companies.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 28, 2018

Our 10 best stories of 2018

Our top stories of the year illustrate the decline of coal-fired generation and the numerous policy surprises that came out of the federal government this year.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 21, 2018

In major restructuring, ABB shifts from heavy electrical manufacturing to distributed energy

ABB is turning to distributed generation in Europe, stepping back from the Asian market for heavy electric equipment through the sale of its power transmission business to Hitachi.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 20, 2018

Merger, they wrote: Avista and Hydro One ask Washington regulators to reconsider rejection

The utilities seek a rehearing, saying the Utilities and Transportation Commission misunderstood the political risks related to their proposed $6.7 billion merger.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 19, 2018