Power & Gas Index: Texas, California gas plants under pressure; Nor'easter spikes prices

Gas generation is in the spotlight for power market operators across the nation — but for very different reasons. 

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2017

Report: NextEra not giving up its $18B bid for Oncor

Media reports indicate NextEra Energy is pursuing a settlement that would allow them to buy Oncor Electric Delivery after Texas regulators rejected its bid last week. 

By Robert Walton • April 18, 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

Bruised by dual denials, what's next for Oncor and NextEra?

Both companies have seen two merger proposals denied in as many years, but analysts say their Texas two-step may not be over yet. 

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2017

Texas regulators reject $18B NextEra-Oncor deal

The Public Utilities Commission of Texas indicated it was concerned about increased risk for ratepayers and the independence of the Oncor board under the acquisition proposal. 

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2017

SoCal Edison in talks to resolve lawsuit challenging San Onofre fuel storage plan

A plan to expand interim dry cask storage at the San Onofre nuclear plant has been tied up in court for two years.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2017

Wal-Mart taps AMS to install 40 MWh of energy storage at California stores

Advanced Microgrid Solutions will put batteries at 27 of the retail giant's locations, helping reduce peak demand and providing grid services to Southern California Edison. 

By Peter Maloney • April 13, 2017

Coal giant Peabody searches for owner to save Navajo plant in Arizona

The Navajo plant is the sole customer of Peabody's Kayenta mine, which will close along with the generating station in 2019 if a new owner does not step in.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2017

Is utility rate design the key to widespread electric vehicle adoption?

Electricity rate structure can make or break the business case for independent charging stations essential to spur EV uptake. 

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2017

Portland commits to 100% economywide renewable energy by 2050

Portland and Multnomah County want to meet all electricity needs with renewable power by 2035 and then shift all remaining sectors to renewables by 2050.

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2017

Is battery energy storage at a 'turning point' for US utilities?

Speedy deployments of long-duration storage last year in California could mark a watershed moment for the sector, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 11, 2017

Chicago to power city-owned buildings with 100% renewable energy

Chicago will purchase renewable energy credits, buy wind and solar from utilities and invest in on-site generation to offset power demand from 900 buildings. 

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2017

Puerto Rico's utility strikes debt renegotiation deal

Changes to its debt agreements could save the utility more than $2 billion over five years.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2017

State lawmakers push for Atlantic Coast Pipeline approval as greens vow appeal

Critics of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline proposal say it is unnecessary, while more than a dozen lawmakers are pressing federal regulators to approve the natural gas project.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2017

PacifiCorp long-term plan includes 3 GW of renewable energy

The six-state, $3.5 billion plan also predicts efficiency will offset 88% of forecasted demand growth over the next decade.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2017

Report: Efficiency, demand response spending continues to rise, nears $9B

Spending on demand side management programs in the United States and Canada grew 1% in 2015, according to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2017

PNM taps Comverge to manage 60 MW smart thermostat demand response program

The agreement, which could begin next year, would target commercial and residential customers using both direct installations of smart thermostats and a bring-your-own-device approach. 

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2017

Greensmith software updates AEP storage facility to sell frequency regulation

A 14 MWh battery previously only used for backup power was reconfigured to sell into PJM markets. 

By Peter Maloney • April 5, 2017

National Grid proposes 1,200 MW Canada-New England transmission line

The Granite State Power Link would be a commercial project, not funded by National Grid ratepayers.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2017

Pushed by REV, ConEd tests new utility business models in New York

The nation's largest city is the proving ground for a slate of REV pilot projects aimed at modernizing operations and diversifying revenue.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

Lyon Group plans to build the world's biggest solar+storage project in South Australia

The developer said the 330 MW solar storage facility will be paired with a 400 MWh battery system. 

By Peter Maloney • March 31, 2017

Macquarie, CIT close project financing for AMS' 50 MW energy storage fleet

Macquarie bought the projects in August 2016 from Advanced Microgrid Solutions, which will serve as the projects’ asset manager.

By Peter Maloney • March 30, 2017

Nuclear firm Westinghouse files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

The nuclear development firm's bankruptcy is expected to make the economics of new-build plants even more challenging. 

By Peter Maloney • March 29, 2017

'Million rate bases': TFC makes the case for a new IOU business model in Hawaii

A fledgling holding company wants utilities to connect their customers with distributed resources — and earn a rate of return for doing so.

By Gavin Bade • March 24, 2017

Hawaii PUC chair lifts lid on NextEra rejection, ongoing DER dockets

Chairman Randy Iwase says he has "no regrets" over his decision to reject NextEra's proposed merger with Hawaiian Electric Co. 

By Gavin Bade • March 23, 2017

How the cloud can change the utility business model

Cloud-based solutions can save utilities money in the long-term as an alternative to monolithic legacy systems, writes Stuart Ravens, principal research analyst at Navigant Research. 

By Stuart Ravens • March 22, 2017