How utilities are meeting rising corporate demand for renewables

U.S. companies are bypassing utilities to buy renewables, but three new IOU programs hold promise for power company involvement in the burgeoning sector. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 14, 2015

Texas regulatory staff opposes Hunt's restructuring plan for Oncor

"The proposed transaction is not in the public interest and it recommend that the commission reject the applicants’ application,” wrote a utility rate expert.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2015

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

Connecticut regulators approve $3B Iberdrola-UIL merger

Approval of the $3 billion merger is contingent on millons in customer rate credits and commitments to improve services, but one commissioner in his dissent questioned how the merger could benefit the customers. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2015

Hawaii electric co-op says it could save consumers $234M as alternative to NextEra deal

As hearings continue on the proposed NextEra-Hawaiian Electric merger, some say a co-op is a better bet than a takeover by the Florida-based company.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 11, 2015

Sunrun files lawsuit against Nevada governor to get text messages with NV Energy

The solar company is seeking evidence that Gov. Sandoval sought advice from utility lobbyists.   

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 11, 2015

El Paso council rejects Texas utility's proposal to create solar customer class

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has the final say in EPE's $71.5 million rate increase proposal. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

PowerGen 2015: Dynegy and CAISO CEOs illustrate a generation industry in flux

The Dynegy CEO called for federal intervention if Ohio regulators approve income supports for aging coal and nuclear plants, while the CAISO CEO warned generators that his high-renewables "experiment" would soon be their reality.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 9, 2015

AEP leaves ALEC to focus on Clean Power Plan implementation

The right-wing lobbying group disputes allegations that it rejects climate science as large energy companies pull their support.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2015

NRG, National Grid, and others commit to science-based carbon targets at Paris climate talks

The Science Based Targets initiative works with companies to set science-based emissions targets and only approves corporate targets that meet its strict criteria, with 114 companies signing on thus far. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2015

Santee Cooper board approves fixed charges for solar users

Solar advocates say the public utility's additonal charges to solar owners defies South Carolina’s solar legislation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2015

Duke Energy's commercial solar business to offer energy storage

The company plans to focus on the Southern California and Hawaii markets to offer commercial solar+storage in combination with an energy management platform. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2015

Is lithium-ion 'the safest bet' in the future of battery storage?

A maze of options leads to back lithium-ion batteries for plug-in cars, stationary storage, and advanced electronics until at least 2025, according to a new study from Lux Research. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 8, 2015

Vermont utility teams with Tesla to offer home battery installment plan

The system will cost $6,500 but the expense can be decreased by sharing the storage capacity with Green Mountain Power, the utility said.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 7, 2015

California regulators finalize $16.7 million fine to SoCal Edison for secret San Onofre deal

A fee proposed by a state Administrative Law Judge has been finalized by California regulators over secret negotiations between Edison executives and the former CPUC president.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015

Wisconsin regulators approve 75% fixed charge increase for Xcel subsidiary

The Wisconsin PSC has now approved fixed charge increases for four of the state's five major investor-owned utilities. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015

As IOUs push solar, Santee Cooper rate plan draws ire of South Carolina greens

Clean energy activists say the state's public utility is dragging its feet on solar while IOUs charge ahead.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015

Federal judge approves Energy Future Holdings restructuring plan

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has approved the company’s reorganization plan, which includes the sale of Texas T&D giant Oncor.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 7, 2015

Google nearly doubles investment in renewables with 842 MW of wind and solar

The tech giant is calling its latest clean energy commitment "the largest, most diverse purchase of renewable energy by a non-utility."

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 4, 2015

PG&E contracts for 75 MW of energy storage on its way to 580 MW of capacity

The utility’s first storage buy is lithium ion and zinc-air batteries, plus a flywheel project. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 4, 2015

Feds back out of Exelon-Pepco merger proceeding, easing path to approval

The federal government's General Services Administration, which had provided a critical eye on the District of Columbia's consideration of the Pepco-Exelon merger, has dropped out of the proceeding.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 4, 2015

David Crane steps down as NRG Energy CEO

Crane led the transformation of NRG from a traditional wholesale power player into a company that was heavily invested in clean energy and emerging technologies.

By Davide Savenije • Dec. 3, 2015

N.C. regulators rule against NC WARN participating in Duke planning case

The North Carolina Utilities Commission calls the advocacy group’s objections “cumbersome and time consuming." 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 3, 2015

Round 2: DC hearings kick off today in Exelon-Pepco merger

The District of Columbia initially rejected the merger, but Exelon and Pepco will make their case again following a settlement with the mayor's office.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 2, 2015

Wells Fargo analysts downgrade odds of NextEra-HEI merger to 50-50

Analysts say meetings with NextEra execs show it could walk away from the deal.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 2, 2015

5 drivers making 100% renewables possible

A new paper offers companies and governments a toolkit to implement five transformative opportunities and reach big renewables targets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 2, 2015