The end of investment-grade utilities in California?

As California wildfires become increasingly frequent and severe, other electric utilities could follow PG&E into bankruptcy without regulatory reform, according to S&P Global Ratings' director.

By Gabe Grosberg • May 6, 2019

PG&E faces SEC investigation into public disclosures of wildfire losses

In its quarterly filing, the company revealed the investigation and recorded more than $400 million in costs related to wildfire cleanup and recovery.

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2019

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

Renewable energy to power all Novo drug production by next year

The Danish drugmaker set out in 2015 with an ambitious goal to use only electricity generated from renewable sources in its production plants.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 2, 2019

Green Mountain Power pilots Tesla batteries as meters

The technology uses Powerwall battery packs to measure energy use for 18 months, with plans to test other systems as part of their vision to have batteries in every home.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 2, 2019

DOJ opens investigation into Kemper plant as Southern warns of possible 'material impact'

In addition to the DOJ investigation, Southern Company revealed there could be more costs related to portions of the plant's abandoned infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • May 2, 2019

Southern California Edison to add 195 MW of energy storage, DR by 2021

Southern California Edison has selected seven energy storage and demand response projects to meet customer reliability needs by 2021 and further decrease the state's reliance on gas.

By HJ Mai • April 30, 2019

Avista signs on to Western Energy Imbalance Market, projecting more renewables integration

The real-time wholesale energy market automatically provides the lowest-cost energy available to meet utility customer needs, and savings are growing along with the roster of market participants.

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2019

Utility buy of DER providers: A perfect match or a problematic combination?

A new white paper suggests the only way utility holding companies can keep DER providers from disrupting the power sector is to buy them.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 29, 2019

PG&E revises wildfire mitigation plan to remove hard inspection and improvement deadlines

The utility told regulators it wants to "revise certain targets" because it would likely miss some deadlines due to a range of factors, from the federal government shutdown to weather and access challenges.

By Robert Walton • April 29, 2019

Indiana regulators reject Vectren gas plant over stranded asset concerns

The unexpected order in a fossil-friendly state is another ding against the utility megaprojects that used to define the sector. 

By Gavin Bade • April 25, 2019

Con Edison announces deal to end Westchester moratorium on gas hookups

The agreement for an extra 110,000 dekatherms of natural gas capacity would let the utility create new connections by November 2023 in a county near New York City, where demand for heating has grown with new construction.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 25, 2019

Sempra Energy completes renewables exit with closure of 724 MW AEP wind deal

The utility announced its intent to get out of renewables and non-utility gas last year, and has generated about $2.5 billion in the process.

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2019

Massachusetts approves state's first offshore wind contracts for 800 MW

Before regulators approved Vineyard Wind's power purchase agreements for its project, the state's three investor-owned utilities issued a second request for proposals for offshore wind power.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 24, 2019

GE announces first solar+storage projects since renewable business restructuring

The company has partnered with Helios Energy to build the hybrid systems as part of the Lenox Solar/Energy Storage project in upstate New York. 

By HJ Mai • April 23, 2019

PG&E asks for higher ROE to fund wildfire safety upgrades

The utility says a higher return on equity is essential to attract investors, but its proposal would raise average residential electric rates by 7%.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2019

Duke, Eversource commit to create energy storage safety standards

The corporate social responsibility initiative launched by the Energy Storage Association seeks to establish best practices for potential hazards, end-of-life processes and recycling of storage systems.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 23, 2019

New Jersey approves up to $300M in annual nuclear plant subsidies, despite profitability claims

The subsidy is intended to keep nuclear power competitive, and comes amid a U.S. Supreme Court decision to not take up a legal challenge against similar nuclear support programs.

By HJ Mai • April 23, 2019

Utilities, charger vendors find interconnection best practices to propel EV growth

Collaboration and transparency pioneered in solar interconnections can fast-start delayed transportation electrification ambitions.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 22, 2019

High-speed hurdle: Designing a fast-charging network for electric buses

Bus manufacturer New Flyer has just the ticket: planning deployment and charging stations by route.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 22, 2019

Duke-backed ratemaking bill in North Carolina could decrease regulatory oversight

The bill is raising concerns from opponents about a lack of consumer protections as the utility faces large coal ash clean up costs.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 17, 2019

Holtec to snap up Indian Point nuclear units for decommissioning

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is evaluating several other deals where Holtec seeks to buy units for early retirement.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 17, 2019

Baltimore trash-to-energy incinerator sues county for failure to deliver waste

Waste-to-energy qualifies as a renewable resource under Maryland law, and the facility alleges the county failed to deliver a contractually-mandated minimum of 215,000 annual tons of waste to the incinerator.

By Rina Li • April 16, 2019

PG&E shares jump as California report advocates wildfire liability changes

Strict fire liability rules are not working and "under the status quo, all parties lose," according to a new report from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2019

Calpine sells 2 gas-fired plants to Starwood Energy

The sale features more than 825 MW of contracted capacity in two wholesale markets, including Wisconsin's largest peaker and the newest plant in Calpine's fleet.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2019

Southern California Edison requests higher ROE, citing wildfire risks

The utility told federal regulators the share price of its parent company has "dropped dramatically since 2017 as a result of this wildfire risk."

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2019