As hearings close, Hawaii regulators prep for decision HEI-NextEra deal by end of year

Hawaii Public Utilities Commission  Chairman Randy Iwase has indicated he believes the review could be complete by this fall. Most intervenors are opposed to the deal.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2016

Florida regulators approve first community solar program for Gulf Power

The Southern Co. subsidiary’s program will let customers without suitable roofs buy solar and receive bill credits — for a fee.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 4, 2016

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

Texas regulators to consider portions of Hunt's acquisition plan for Oncor

The Public Utility Commission of Texas will consider some portions of Ray Hunt's plan to buy Oncor out of bankruptcy, but initial signs indicate regulators are skeptical.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2016

Oregon bill to curb coal, set 50% RPS heads to governor after Senate passage

Gov. Kate Brown is expected to sign the bill to set a 50% renewable energy standard and eliminate coal from the state's power mix. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 3, 2016

As Xcel pushes non-wire alternatives, solar+storage pilot sparks utility ownership debate

Everyone loves that Xcel Minnesota is considering DERs instead of traditional infrastructure, but not that the utility wants to own them itself.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 3, 2016

Oregon bill to curb coal use, set 50% renewables mandate heads to Senate after House passage

After an earlier version of the bill was caught up in weeks of partisan wrangling, backers say they expect a quick passage in the Senate before the end of the week.  

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2016

Updated: DC ratepayer advocate opposes revised Exelon-Pepco merger terms

The Office of People's Counsel said in a release Tuesday that the conditions put on a settlement agreement by the Public Service Commission last week mean the deal is no longer in the interest of ratepayers. 

By Gavin Bade • March 1, 2016

Minnesota Power line approved to link Canadian hydro and storage to Midwest wind

The Great Northern transmission line line will help the Minnesota utility access hydropower and pumped storage facilities in Manitoba. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2016

'Only a matter of time': U.S. offshore wind struggles to get off the ground

The U.S. offshore wind industry still lags far behind Europe and China but it has its first steel in the water and sees growth in its future.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2016

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

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