Are regulators starting to rethink fixed charges?

Fixed rate reductions in Q2 of this year may indicate regulators are more conscious of low and moderate income customers as well as investments in energy efficiency and distributed energy resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 23, 2018

Duke moves to stop FirstEnergy Solutions from exiting Ohio co-op

Consumer advocates worry that a bankruptcy court decision allowing FES to withdraw from the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation, which operates a pair of coal plants, could raise prices for retail consumers.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2018

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

Lawmakers unlikely to give California utilities slack in wildfire liability rules, LA Times reports

State legislators are abandoning a proposal to reduce electric utility liability in instances where the company is not found to be negligent, hesitant to do anything that will look like a "bailout."

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2018

FirstEnergy takes reluctant step toward 3 nuclear plant closures

Still hoping for state support that would keep the plants running, the utility is planning to shutter two nuclear plants in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2018

PJM prepares new capacity repricing rule in response to FERC order

The RTO is considering a resource specific carve-out, or "ReCO," as an alternative to the minimum offer price rule that FERC rejected.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 16, 2018

FERC halts Atlantic Coast, clears 3 other pipeline projects in busy Friday

The decisions came hours before Republicans lost their one-vote majority on FERC. Until a replacement is confirmed, Democrats can deadlock agency votes. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 13, 2018

Report: Tesla Solar Roof production delayed over product aesthetics, EV prioritization

Despite CEO Elon Musk's boasts about the installment of the undetectable renewable generating structure during Q2 calls, employees at New York's Gigafactory 2 reported production challenges and delays.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 10, 2018

An offer utilities can't refuse: The low cost of utility-scale solar

A new report finds even policy uncertainties have not stopped the growing partnership between utilities and solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 9, 2018

SC Senate sues McMaster for overstepping in naming Santee Cooper chair

McMaster said the leadership position at Santee Cooper could not go unfilled as a board meeting is coming up this month.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 9, 2018

Four steps for utilities to improve engagement with small and medium businesses

Small and medium businesses are often underserved as energy customers, and utilities can find it challenging to engage them. However, four research-based steps outline how utilities and their partners can improve that engagement.

By Patty Durand, Austin Whitman • Aug. 9, 2018

Southern increases Vogtle nuke price tag by $1.1 billion

The plant will now cost $27 billion, more than twice the company's original estimate when it was approved in 2008.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 8, 2018

Eligibility questions for new tax exclusions breed uncertainty for US power sector

Determining whether a particular company qualifies for these exemptions will be a necessity — not just for tax return accuracy, but also in determining the value and viability of pending and future M&A activity.

By Brian Murphy • Aug. 8, 2018

Minnesota co-op breaks ground on first major storage projects in state

The 10 MW of solar joined with 30 MWh of batteries will be the largest combined facility owned by a U.S. co-op and is expected to save Connexus Energy $4 million a year through peak shaving. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 7, 2018

Split FERC approves Spire pipeline, brushing aside self-dealing concerns

The only entity that signed contracts for the 65-mile pipeline is an affiliate of the project developer, leading critics to question if the project is truly necessary.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 6, 2018

Corporate clean power purchases reach 7.2 GW, surpassing 2017 record

As more companies sign 100% renewables pledges, a Bloomberg report estimates they will need to buy another 197 TWh of clean energy by 2030. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 6, 2018

Musk sees 'insane' fast growth for Tesla's energy storage business

Tesla executives predicted growth levels in 2019 of 300% to 400% for its energy storage business.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 2, 2018

Will lower cost renewables and natural gas accelerate PacifiCorp's generation transition?

A Sierra Club-commissioned study is aimed at moving PacifiCorp’s planning ahead and getting more coal "off the grid."

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 2, 2018

Report: PG&E considers breaking up company to avoid wildfire liability

The company and its utility subsidiary have been highly critical of California laws that allow for wildfire liability even if standards and regulations are met, warning of the threat of bankruptcy and reorganization.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 2, 2018

Puerto Rico utility's new deal to relieve about $9B of debt

Debt consolidation may help clear the way for privatization of PREPA. News of the deal raised the value of PREPA's bonds by about 40% on Monday. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2018

Holtec to buy three nuclear plants, greatly accelerate decommissioning

Holtec is acquiring Oyster Creek from Exelon Generation as well as the Pilgrim and Palisades plants from Entergy. For the first two, Holtec plans to complete decommissioning in eight years.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2018

Macquarie Infrastructure to sell New Jersey gas plant for $900M

The New York ISO is depending on the 644 MW Bayonne Energy Center to help make up for capacity lost due to the exit of Entergy's Indian Point nuclear plant.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2018

Colorado regulators press forward with Black Hills TOU pilot

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission directed Black Hills Energy to develop a time-of-use rate pilot and file a proposal this fall.

By Robert Walton • July 27, 2018

NextEra's renewables backlog grows to 7.4 GW as customers anticipate lower costs

The company's record backlog includes many energy storage and solar projects slated for years in the future, as prices are expected to drop in the 2020s.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 27, 2018

Utilities embrace data-driven, intelligent enterprise approach

As technology options grow, utility companies can use services such as the cloud to optimize efficiency, improve safety and develop new business models, according to SAP utilities director James McClelland.

By James McClelland • July 25, 2018

Report: SCANA, Dominion offered $1,500 refunds to escape Summer rate cut

The utilities wanted to increase support for their proposed merger and retain the ability to charge customers for the canceled V.C. Summer nuke, but lawmakers rejected their plan by wide margins.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2018