Enhancing customer engagement: A utility roadmap for the Amazon era

Utilities are well-positioned to provide new products and energy options, writes ICF's Phil Mihlmester, who offers several paths for companies to increase customer satisfaction and grow their business.

By Philip Mihlmester • Dec. 21, 2017

NOPR, nukes and taxes: The top 10 Utility Dive stories of 2017

It's been a frantic year of energy news. Here's a recap of what Utility Dive readers found most important.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 20, 2017

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

Demand charges or 'efficiency rates'? EEI wants a wording change

A Powerpoint obtained by the Energy and Policy Institute shows trade group Edison Electric Institute suggesting utilities call controversial demand charges "efficiency rates."

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 20, 2017

Austin Energy solar PPA could be lowest-priced in US, analysts say

GTM Research estimates a 150 MW solar contract signed last week could run as cheap as $21/MWh.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2017

5 steps renewable providers can take to simplify energy procurement and increase business opportunities

Utilities and other providers should customize renewable energy offerings to small and mid-cap companies or risk ceding significant significant growth opportunities, Deloitte's U.S. and Global Renewable Energy Leader, Marlene Motyka, writes.

By Marlene Motyka • Dec. 19, 2017

How the GOP tax overhaul could affect the power sector

Congress is expected to vote on tax legislation this week. Here's a cheat sheet for what it means for your industry and more.

By Industry Dive Staff • Dec. 18, 2017

11-hour power outage at Atlanta airport grounds thousands of flights

Georgia Power says an underground fire damaged switching equipment that would normally trigger backup power supplies at the world's busiest airport. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 18, 2017

Updated: GOP includes BEAT fix, drops nuclear credits in tax bill

The final bill would allow companies to offset 80% of BEAT payments accrued due to energy tax credits, but renewable power interests are still concerned it could stifle wind energy financing. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 15, 2017

Sempra reaches Oncor settlement with stakeholders, includes ring-fence protections

Other commitments in the settlement include eliminating all debt currently at Energy Future Holdings Corp. and Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2017

Power play: How a small co-op wants to open Nevada's electricity market and own it

Valley Electric Association is taking on NV Energy and dreaming big.

By Daniel Rothberg • Dec. 14, 2017

Virginia deals setback to Atlantic Coast Pipeline with conditional water permit approval

Construction of the major gas pipeline will be contingent on several additional studies to be reviewed by state environmental regulators, the Virginia Water Control Board decided on Tuesday. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 13, 2017

Sempra secures FERC approval for Oncor purchase

The company must still secure approval from the Public Utilities Commission of Texas, a hurdle that's tripped up multiple would-be owners of Oncor.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 12, 2017

Weak wholesale power markets spur GE Power job cuts

The 12,000 job reductions and prior steps in the division are expected to contribute $1 billion to GE's overall goal to reduce structural costs by $3.5 billion in 2017 and 2018.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 12, 2017

Westinghouse report predicted nuclear development problems 6 years ago

New details have come to light in a Post and Courier story focused not just on the V.C. Summer nuclear station in South Carolina, but on other large-scale power failures in recent years.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2017

PG&E proposes clean energy alternative to new fossil fuel plant, transmission

Company President and CEO Geisha Williams says the steps to replace a jet-fueled peaker in Oakland could be "a model for other cities in California and beyond."

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2017

PG&E, Exelon deals underscore power sector's foray into energy storage

PG&E has teamed up with EDF Renewables to build a storage portfolio while Exelon invests in an energy storage startup.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 7, 2017

Moody's: Low interest rates, fuel costs, will support competitive public power rates in 2018

The ratings agency is maintaining its stable outlook on the U.S. public power sector for 2018, with timely cost recovery and lower capital spending requirements among the supporting factors.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 6, 2017

PSEG CEO: Salem, Hope Creek nukes will close absent subsidies

Critics say the plants aren't unprofitable, just not making the margins they want.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 6, 2017

FirstEnergy files $450M plan to upgrade Ohio distribution grids

Customers of Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating and Toledo Edison could see faster restoration times in outages and a grid more capable of standing up to adverse weather conditions.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 5, 2017

Vogtle completion 'no longer economic,' Georgia PSC staff says

If the finances of the project do not change, regulatory staff argues it should be cancelled like the V.C. Summer nuclear expansion in South Carolina.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 5, 2017

Cape Wind developers call it quits

Project opponents are celebrating after more than 15 years of fighting the 468 MW offshore wind proposal.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 4, 2017

Utility of the Year: Southern California Edison

The California utility set in motion an ambitious plan to cut emissions, invest in grid-edge technology and deploy more energy storage than required under state mandates in a short amount of time. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 4, 2017

Project of the Year: SDG&E's Escondido energy storage project

The success of the Escondido project and other Aliso Canyon battery installations is proving energy storage's worth as a bulk power system asset.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 4, 2017

Executive of the Year: Chris Crane, CEO of Exelon

The Exelon CEO is a driving force in state and federal actions that are shaping the future of the U.S. power sector.  

By Larry Pearl • Dec. 4, 2017

The Utility Dive Awards for 2017

The 2017 Utility Dive Awards recognize the industry’s top disruptors and innovators. These executives, companies and trends are transforming the industry and shaping the future.

By Robert Walton , Gavin Bade , Krysti Shallenberger , Peter Maloney , Larry Pearl • Dec. 4, 2017