Coal, nuclear could see boost in New England this winter as new tariff goes into effect

The tariff will compensate power plants such as nuclear, coal-fired and oil-fired generation, but excludes resources such as offshore wind, which the grid operator has credited for providing significant value during cold snaps.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Aug. 12, 2019

Crossed wires: Wisconsin transmission proposal sparks debate over best path to 100% clean energy

A major MISO transmission project could increase reliability and renewables in the Midwest, but opponents say there are better approaches to reducing carbon emissions.

By Max Witynski • Updated Sept. 30, 2019

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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

New Mexico governor wants to upend PRC as regulators skirt clean energy law

Michelle Lujan Grisham intends to speed up a legislative decision that would restructure the state's regulatory body as tensions mount over implementing New Mexico's comprehensive Energy Transition Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 8, 2019

Los Angeles County to go carbon neutral by 2050

The OurCounty plan calls for eliminating fossil fuel production and transitiioing the workforce toward clean energy.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 8, 2019

Hawaii regulators question lack of non-wires alternatives in HECO's integrated grid plan

The Public Utilities Commission asked if a "course of correction is necessary" for the utility's plan, particularly regarding the resilience benefits of microgrid solutions on the state's mountainous islands.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 8, 2019

Colorado county fights to save time-of-use rate pilot rejected by regulators

Pueblo County is appealing the Colorado PUC's decision, arguing that while the objectives of the pilot could have been better spelled out, it doesn't warrant abandoning the proposal by Black Hills Energy altogether.

By John Funk • Aug. 8, 2019

Virginia rejects Dominion bid to recover environmental spending on coal units slated for shutdown

The State Corporation Commission said the $18.4 million Dominion spent on Chesterfield units 3 and 4 was not a reasonable investment, but approved a $286.8 million rate rider for enviromental costs at several other coal units.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 7, 2019

What's the best role for utilities as EVs proliferate? With Pepco, DC aims to find the right balance

A Public Service Commission order raises questions about how and if third-party charging companies should be regulated.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 7, 2019

As co-ops struggle with stranded fossil fuel assets, Tri-State may finally embrace the energy transition

"Our goal is a transition that lowers rates. It might be hard – but it might be beautiful," the G&T's new CEO told Utility Dive.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 7, 2019

Waste Connections landfill set to end Puerto Rican coal ash imports

The expected decision comes after months of public frustration in Florida's Osceola County. It will have no bearing on continued coal ash shipments from within the state.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 6, 2019

Georgia Power coal ash plan mirrors conditions that led to Duke spills: Report

Three of the utility's coal ash disposal sites sit on floodplains and another buries a creek in 97 feet of coal ash.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 6, 2019

Arizona commissioner cites 'unacceptable risks' from lithium-ion batteries for large-scale projects

While the cause of the battery storage fire at Arizona Public Service's facility is being determined, Commissioner Sandra Kennedy proposed the use of less economic battery chemistries to ensure safety and reliability.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Aug. 6, 2019

Bipartisan Senate support for nuclear grows with $7.5B bill to extend life of current fleet

The bill is a continuation of the Senate's focus on supporting new nuclear technologies while improving the economic viability of the current fleet.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 5, 2019

Ohio nuclear and coal bailout is a loss for nuclear power and the climate

HB6, which links nuclear power to coal and not renewables, risks undermining the burgeoning bipartisan consensus that nuclear power will play a crucial role in tackling climate change, while attracting to nuclear the ire usually reserved for coal.

By Randolph Bell • Aug. 5, 2019

Dominion's 100% renewables tariff could kill Virginia's retail choice ambitions

Competitive retail providers are fighting for customers in the state, alongside a growing number of displeased ratepayers.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 5, 2019

ALJ dismisses Duke attempt to reverse North Carolina coal ash excavation order

Duke will proceed with its appeal of state regulators' finding that complete excavation is the only way to completely protect public health and the environment.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 5, 2019

9th Circuit contradicts FERC in favor of solar developers in California PURPA case

The federal court ruled the state did not have a mechanism in place to effectively implement PURPA, the law intended to drive utilities to purchase power from smaller renewables generators.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 2, 2019

EPA moves to roll back environmental protection requirements for utility coal ash sites

Companies with coal ash fill projects larger than 12,400 tons must have environmental protections in place, but EPA now only wants those requirements at sites that have geological vulnerabilities, with no upper limit on tonnage.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 31, 2019

California's EV transition gets boost with state-automaker deal; Trump threatens to intervene

The deal calls for continued annual reductions of vehicle greenhouse gas emissions through 2026, but a White House official said "the federal government, not a single state, should set this standard."

By Robert Walton • July 30, 2019

FERC staff drafts environmental 'pass' for Mountain Valley Pipeline expansion

NextEra Energy's joint venture would add two delivery points to meet Dominion Energy's natural gas supply needs in North Carolina.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 30, 2019

How advanced project management enables utility compliance

While the emergence of digital tools challenges the status quo, technology also provides an opportunity to significantly improve the speed and accuracy of compliance.

July 30, 2019

LaFleur cautions on administrative interference as she exits FERC

The commissioner speaks frankly about a missed opportunity — opening a natural gas pipeline docket in 2016 — and challenges ahead.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 29, 2019

FERC orders PJM to postpone capacity auction

The grid operator asked for certainty ahead of its August auction as FERC works on rules that incorporate aggregated distributed resources into the market.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 26, 2019

Few US cities on track to meet climate goals: ACEEE

Cities took on more than 265 climate initiatives in 2018, but most aren't adequately tracking their progress, and nearly 35% of cities have not set GHG reduction targets. 

By Katie Pyzyk • July 26, 2019

Chicago considers municipalizing ComEd

The utility's contract with the city expires at the end of 2020 and city leaders believe they could accelerate decarbonization and lower rates through municipalization.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 25, 2019