Election 2020: It's time to consider an electricity customer Bill of Rights

The starting place for ensuring responsible and effective rapid decarbonization is to allow for competition and ensure retail customers are adequately protected from potential abuses that could otherwise emerge, the author writes.

By Todd Glass • Nov. 3, 2020

Facing credit downgrades after firing CEO, FirstEnergy board launches further internal investigation

The company received credit downgrades recently and is the subject of a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, its new management team told analysts Monday.

By John Funk • Updated Nov. 5, 2020

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

California federal legislators press SoCalGas on reported efforts to 'undermine' California's climate goals

California regulators on Thursday ordered SoCalGas to turn over information to the agency's Public Advocates Office after a prolonged conflict over data requests.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Dec. 18, 2020

Justice Barrett's confirmation and how it may affect the energy industry

The newest Supreme Court justice could eventually hear a challenge to FERC's Order 841, which has been winding its way through the courts, on the grounds that it intrudes on matters left to the states under the Federal Power Act.

By Seth Hilton and Jason Johns • Nov. 2, 2020

Election 2020: What's at stake for Congress, FERC, DOE and the states

The transformation of the U.S. power sector will continue after the 2020 election is over, though the outcomes will likely impact the speed of change.

Nov. 2, 2020

FirstEnergy fires CEO, 2 other top executives in wake of $61M political bribery scandal

Thursday's dismissals came on the same day as guilty pleas from two of four lobbyists charged in a federal racketeering probe related to Ohio's nuclear and coal plant subsidy bill.

By John Funk • Oct. 30, 2020

With FERC's recent big changes to energy and capacity markets, theories don't match reality

FERC’s efforts to root out “price suppression” is unnecessary and ultimately detrimental to promoting a resource mix that meets reliability and policy objectives, the author writes. 

By Elise Caplan • Oct. 30, 2020

Ballot billions: Behind the efforts to fund and finance climate action

In a year that virtually depleted municipal budgets, ballot-derived tax and funding measures can be crucial to support city-level climate action. Outside of these measures, how else can cities secure cash?

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Oct. 30, 2020

Election 2020: Xcel Energy, municipalization advocates face off in Boulder

On Nov. 3, voters in the Colorado city must choose whether to trust Xcel’s commitments or the promise of a municipal utility.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 30, 2020

Election 2020: States accelerated renewables under Trump. Could a Biden win slow that?

The bipartisan push in favor of more renewable energy deployment at the state level could evaporate under a Biden administration that may lean toward federal mandates, experts say. 

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 29, 2020

Green stimulus could create $280B in economic benefits: C40

The C40 Global Mayors Recovery Task Force said investing relief money in solutions to fight climate change could prevent 270,000 premature deaths globally and create over 6 million jobs in the U.S. alone.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 28, 2020

Election 2020: For DOE, staffing, renewables spending, transparency at stake Nov. 3, analysts say

A Biden administration could refocus the U.S. Department of Energy on clean energy, transparency and environmental justice. Under Trump, expect more of the same push for deregulation. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2020

National Grid to develop 600 MW offshore wind RFP for Rhode Island

The state had 933 MW of wind and solar as of Q2 2020 as it aims to meet 100% of electricity demand with renewables by 2030.

By Larry Pearl • Oct. 28, 2020

Election 2020: Trump's FERC may need to shift course on clean energy, though Biden's road will not be easy

No matter what happens Nov. 3, the agency will have no choice but to address the industry's transition, even if it means backing away from some of its more controversial policies under the Trump administration, analysts say.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 27, 2020

Colorado PUC dismisses exit fee complaints against Tri-State, says FERC and district courts have jurisdiction

Colorado utility commissioners declined to consider Tri-State exit fee disputes, concluding the matter falls under the jurisdiction of FERC and of Colorado district courts.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 26, 2020

Election 2020: Climate policy faces a tough road through Congress regardless of electoral outcomes

A Democratic Senate will attempt to pass Joe Biden's clean energy standard in the face of an expected Republican filibuster, while bipartisan support exists for more R&D spending on carbon-cutting technologies.

By Matthew Bandyk • Oct. 26, 2020

As conflict rises over utility DER ownership, a Duke Florida program could offer a way forward

Regulators must decide how to separate regulated and private markets as both see ownership of rooftop and community solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2020

FERC landmark DER rule leaves open questions on grid operator implementation

A key question is whether grid operators and utilities try to open up market participation to DERs as much as possible, or whether they just do the bare minimum, a storage executive said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 22, 2020

EPA expands coal ash storage options for utilities in move NGOs say violates DC Circuit ruling

The power industry says the rule is based on a record EPA has built since 2015, and will apply to only a narrow subset of facilities.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 20, 2020

New England states call for changes to wholesale markets, transmission planning and grid governance

The current system "has actively hindered our efforts to decarbonize the grid," according to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2020

FERC PJM order muddies state subsidy definition under MOPR, potentially hinders renewables, Glick says

Commissioner Richard Glick said the order is further evidence that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is overreaching when it comes to state clean energy policies.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020

FERC confirms carbon pricing jurisdiction in wholesale markets, Chatterjee 'encourages' proposals

"This commission encourages efforts to develop wholesale market rules that incorporate a state-determined carbon price in [wholesale] markets," Chairman Neil Chatterjee said. Commissioner James Danly called it "unnecessary."

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020

Gas generators ask FERC to apply PJM MOPR logic to NYISO

Two gas generators claim current market rules do not address price suppression caused by state subsidies, and therefore disadvantage resources not receiving those payments.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020

BOEM needs staffing help with offshore wind permitting regardless of election results, experts say

If regulators stagger construction permits for the bottlenecked offshore wind projects, stakeholders worry it will hurt developers and communities that have been waiting for the influx of activity.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 15, 2020

Wyoming PSC: Socioeconomic impact of coal retirements not within the purview of an IRP

Deliberations at the Wyoming PSC conclude that socioeconomic impacts of coal plant retirements do not fall within the scope of an IRP, but commissioners raise questions about other criteria including rates and environmental concerns.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 13, 2020