US doubles solar manufacturing, but not jobs (yet)

Job creation is not guaranteed in the sector despite an increase in domestic solar panel manufacturing, according to analysts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 31, 2018

Blink Charging unveils new EV fast-charging station

The company wins Underwriters Laboratories approval for a new station meant to cut charging time by about two-thirds.

By Peter Maloney • May 31, 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

New wind project would move MidAmerican within reach of 100% renewables goal

The utility wants to generate enough electricity from wind to equal its customer demand for a year, though other assets will likely remain on the system. 

By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2018

Xcel to add 1.2 GW of wind to Texas, New Mexico mix, as PUC gives formal OK

The utility's plan nearly doubles the amount of wind capacity in that service area through two wind farms and a power purchase agreement from wind farms developed by NextEra.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2018

Puerto Rico's utility signed a $900M contract last week. Who will pay is a mystery.

PREPA is mired in bankruptcy and can't pay for a deal it just signed. Federal agencies, meanwhile, refuse to say if they will pick up the tab.

By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018

Sonnen's latest funding round nets $70M, led by Shell Ventures

The company's "strategic cooperation agreement" focuses on innovative integrated energy propositions, EV charging solutions and grid services based on a virtual battery pool.

By Robert Walton • May 29, 2018

Cal Fire: PG&E violated state law, causing 3 wildfires last year

State officials released their first investigations into the 2017 California wildfire season last week, which could pose up to a $12 billion liability for PG&E.

By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018

State regulators approve Westar, Great Plains Energy $15B merger

Kansas and Missouri regulators approved the deal after the companies removed a $4.9 billion acquisition premium that Great Plains proposed to pay for Westar.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2018

Trump abandons plan to sell off BPA power assets

The White House plan to sell off four federal power authorities, floated in its last two budget proposals, was opposed by electric co-op and municipal utility groups.

By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018

Southern Co. unit to sell 33% of solar assets for $1.2B

Executives are exploring third-party equity financing for much of the subsidiary's wind portfolio.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 24, 2018

US nuke rules soured acquisition interest from European utilities, former regulator says

Former NRC Commissioner Jeffrey Merrifield made the comment while testifying at a House hearing on four nuclear bills, including one that would push DOE to focus on more highly enriched fuels.

By Gavin Bade • May 22, 2018

Boring Company previews Los Angeles plan: $1 rides on all-electric underground pods

Elon Musk’s underground ambitions to defeat what he calls "soul-sucking traffic" are sky-high.

By Jason Plautz • May 22, 2018

DTE, Consumers pledge 50% clean energy, heading off ballot initiative

The Michigan utilities expect to reach most of the 2030 goal through efficiency initiatives, but at least 25% of the result will come from renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2018

NextEra to buy Gulf Power, gas assets from Southern for $6.5B

NextEra has long wanted more regulated utility assets but failed to close two high-profile acquisitions in recent years. 

By Gavin Bade • May 21, 2018

Divided FERC restricts climate impacts in pipeline reviews

FERC will now only consider emissions associated with a specific proposed pipeline, rather than a broader approach to factor in a project's impact on production and consumption of natural gas.

By Gavin Bade • May 18, 2018

Utilities join with Tesla to sue EPA over fuel standard rollback

The D.C. Circuit case filed earlier this month is another indication that utilities are beginning to lean into the fight over electric vehicles. 

By Gavin Bade • May 18, 2018

APS: Controversial RFP does not violate Arizona gas moratorium

Reliability concerns about energy storage prompted Arizona Public Service to limit its role in a pending contract request, executives said. 

By Gavin Bade • May 17, 2018

Federal court blocks Atlantic Coast Pipeline construction in at least some areas

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not properly guard against endangered species impacts when it signed off on the project. Dominion said it plans to move forward as scheduled.

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2018

Judge allows bankrupt FirstEnergy Solutions to exit power plant co-op

Other utility members of the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation say the loss of $58 million in annual First Energy Solution support payments could raise prices for consumers.

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2018

Tesla software update allows Powerwall 2 owners to optimize for time-varying rates

The Time-Based Controls update will enable customers to save on energy bills, but the rollout has not yet reached all customers.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2018

NTE Energy announces plans for new 1 GW gas plant in South Carolina

The plant would serve about 1 million customers and developers boast that it "will feature some of the most efficient and environmentally-friendly technologies currently available."

By Robert Walton • May 11, 2018

GE to buy Alstom out of joint ventures for $3.1B

The three joint ventures, which focused on renewables, nuclear and the grid, were developed in 2015 when GE purchased Alstom's energy business.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2018

Florida regulators approve nearly 1.7 GW in new gas plants

The Public Service Commission approved two plants — a 573 MW facility due to come online in 2021 and a 1.1 GW facility slated for 2022. Both will serve electric co-op customers.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2018

EnSync's solar+storage to allow energy sharing in Hawaii

By combining solar energy and storage to share power, the company says it can increase system efficiency and lower costs.

By Peter Maloney • May 10, 2018

PG&E taps EVBox to build up to 2.5K charging stations

The California utility announced its first supplier of charging stations, which it will own as part of its CPUC-approved electric vehicle charging program.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 9, 2018