Montana-Dakota Utilities drops demand charge push after deal with solar advocates

Under deals struck with solar advocates and consumer groups, MDU rates would go up about 13% but there will be no solar-specific demand charge.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 29, 2016

Court rejects effort to block SunEdison acquisition of Vivint through TerraForm Power

Legal approval to use its yeildco’s resources opens path to financial recovery for SunEdison.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 29, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Inside the PSC: DC regulators offer clear path to Exelon-Pepco merger approval

In a surprise double vote, regulators rejected a settlement agreement on the merger and then outlined five changes to the deal that would result in its approval.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 26, 2016

SolarCity rolls out storage, smart tech system for Hawaii's self-supply option

SolarCity's new product offers “demand flexibility" and could give solar owners ability to consume 90% of their generation.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 26, 2016

Updated: A brief history of the Exelon-Pepco merger saga

Two years after the deal was first announced, the merger that would create the nation's largest electric utility is coming to its conclusion. Here's a timeline of how we got here.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 25, 2016

HECO cancels 3 solar contracts with SunEdison

Hawaiian Electric Companies move to cancel three SunEdison contracts put the solar developer's $336 million debt restructuring deal in doubt, and sparked the ire of Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission Chair Randy Iwase. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

Maine utilities, solar advocates back new bill to replace net metering, grow solar

Under the new bill, utilities would act as "standard buyers" for solar of all types, aggregating multiple generation facilities and bidding them into electricity markets. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

Louisiana PSC rejects Cleco acquisition by international consortium

Cleco Corp. said the Louisiana Public Service Commission's decision failed to acknowledge the benefits from the M&A. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 25, 2016

Southern Co. seeks to bolster efficiency, DER offerings with $431M PowerSecure deal

The deal for North Carolina-based PowerSecure builds on a trend for Southern and the industry at large as companies look to diversify their energy service offerings and revenue streams. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 25, 2016

Compromise in Mississippi partially restores state regulators authority over co-ops

The amended legislation still allows cooperatives to set net metering rates and design efficiency programs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

German green utility LichtBlick eyes US expansion for DERMS offering

LichtBlick of Germany is expanding its DERMS tools into the residential market, including the United States.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 24, 2016

Volatility in Brazil pushes Duke to pursue selling international business

Duke Energy International owns about 4,400 MW in Central and South America. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 23, 2016

Cheapest power in the US? Palo Alto muni eyes solar at under $37/MWh

Representatives from the municipal utility say the proposed PPA would be the lowest price ever for electricity in California, and possibly the nation.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 23, 2016

Partnering for success: Utilities leverage innovative vendor relationships at the grid edge

From smart meters to distribution automation and residential storage, opportunities abound for utilities bold enough to reach out to innovative third parties. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 23, 2016

Warren Buffett's Rocky Mountain Power offers its first community solar program

The Subscriber Solar program offers 200 kWh blocks of solar generation to customers without rooftop arrays.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 23, 2016

Taming the Wild West: CAISO begins study of a full regional electricity market

The California ISO is beginning a landmark study on whether a regional grid will ease the state's transition to 50% renewables by 2030. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 22, 2016

Louisiana judge casts doubt on Cleco merger ahead of PSC vote

An inernational firm wants to take Louisiana utility Cleco private, but many are questioning what's in it for ratepayers who currently have a sound and well-run power provider.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 21, 2016

SolarCity moves away from its MyPower solar loan product

The company says it has a new, less complicated way for homeowners to finance solar ownership.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 19, 2016

Arizona rural utility proposes demand charge, more fees on rooftop solar users

UniSource Energy Services wants a lower net metering credit and impose a mandatory demand charge on solar customer customers to help recover fixed costs. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 19, 2016

Avista Utilities asks Washington state regulators to approve electric vehicle charger pilot

If it goes well, the pilot program could kick off a utility-backed effort to make more EV charging infrastructure available in Washington. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 17, 2016

Updated: Puerto Rico Gov. signs utility restructuring bill after legislative approval

Differences with a Senate version passed last week will have to be ironed out before Feb. 23, when a debt agreement reached with the utility's creditors expires.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 17, 2016

Texas PUC unsure over Hunt's Oncor proposal

The Public Utility Commission of Texas must make a decision in March on Ray Hunt's proposal to purchase Oncor out of bankruptcy. But as the deadline looms, commissioners are still split over a controversial plan that would reduce the company's tax burden.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2016

Hawaii bill demands NextEra prove consumer benefit for $4.3B Hawaiian Electric merger

The House Bill 2567 would require NextEra to show "substantial net benefit" to customers before state regulators approve its takeover of Hawaiian Electric Industries, but the utility says the bill fails to define net benefits. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2016

Florida critics say utility-backed amendment curbs solar choice

The utilities said the amendment establishes a right for consumers to own or lease solar equipment while ensuring there is no cost-shift on non-distributed solar owners. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 11, 2016

Canada's Algonquin Power & Utilities to buy Empire District in $2.4B deal

The proposed merger continues a trend of Canadian firms snapping up U.S. power assets.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2016