A pivotal moment for microgrid policy – What California is getting right and where it's heading from here

The California Public Utilities Commission's microgrid regulatory proceedings could be a bellwether for microgrid development across the country, the author writes.

By Jonathan Kevles • Aug. 20, 2020

Final payments delayed in FES bankruptcy case as Justice Department racketeering investigation continues

The ruling — which means the bankruptcy case is technically not over — came after Ohio's Attorney General asked for an indefinite delay of all final payments while the federal probe continues.

By John Funk • Aug. 19, 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

Performance incentive mechanisms can support broad policy goals, RMI finds

The report is an essential read for regulators that are developing performance incentive mechanisms, according to Mike O’Boyle, director of electricity policy at Energy Innovation.

By Guy Burdick • Aug. 18, 2020

Pipeline infrastructure planning in the era of Black Lives Matter

Scrutiny of the siting of infrastructure projects is already increasing, and attention paid to disproportionate, adverse effects on communities of color likely will intensify, the authors write.

By Emily P. Mallen and J. Simone Jones • Aug. 18, 2020

'We're in a bind': California braces for rolling outages as heatwave continues

The California ISO is "scouring every corner of our world to find additional load reductions and generation," President and CEO Steve Berberich said.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 17, 2020

CPUC considers dismissing executive director amid accusations of whistleblower retaliation

Alice Stebbins' attorney says companies like Pacific Gas & Electric and AT&T have lobbied for her removal. Regulators have linked her potential dismissal to criticisms around some of her hires.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 14, 2020

The business case for sustainable urban transport

With such a strong business case and demonstrable ROI to speak for investments in sustainable transport, governments have a moral obligation to act.

By Meagan Crawford • Aug. 14, 2020

After utility filing error, DC stakeholders call for dismissal of Pepco's multi-year rate proposal

The utility says it wants to freeze DC customer rates until 2022. But customer advocates say the plan “has been riddled with errors, missteps, and false information from the start" and could raise rates by up to $147 million. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2020

Grid security group calls for declassified threat information, new federal agency focused on resilience

If hackers and foreign adversaries have the capability to bring down the electric grid, why does the federal government keep that information from the utility sector?

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2020

As North Carolina regulators block another pipeline, Duke searches for options to meet gas demand

Following North Carolina's denial on Tuesday of a key water permit for the Mountain Valley Pipeline extension and the cancellation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, the utility is exploring its options.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 13, 2020

Competition is the best medicine for corruption; 'prescribed' markets could be what the doctor ordered

As stakeholders evaluate the Southeast Energy Exchange Market, we should recognize the elements of market design that truly benefit consumers and encourage innovation and efficiency, the authors write.

By Todd Snitchler and Brian George • Aug. 11, 2020

Uncertainty over earnings return for $8B North Carolina coal ash cleanup weighs on Duke

Not allowing Duke to make a return on its coal ash cleanup could strain the utility's balance sheet, CEO Lynn Good said. But analysts say the regulatory environment in North Carolina does not bode well for the utility thus far.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 11, 2020

Federal judge orders PG&E to recruit inspectors as CPUC considers future of safety investigation

PG&E has supported closing the safety investigation, but other stakeholders want continued oversight of the utility.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 10, 2020

FERC staff to Congress: HV transmission essential to reducing carbon, deploying renewables

One of the largest opportunities for high voltage transmission is colocation, though barriers include restrictions set by the Federal Highway Administration and state transportation agencies, analysts say.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 10, 2020

ConEd, Eversource blasted by New York, Connecticut officials after 'wholly inadequate' storm response

Hurricane Isaias brought Northeast utilities the largest number of power outages since 2012's Hurricane Sandy.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Aug. 10, 2020

The West needs an RTO

By working toward a western version of an RTO, we can secure low cost energy for utilities and ratepayers and spur billions in new infrastructure investments, among other benefits, the authors write.

By Chris Hansen and Doug Howe • Aug. 7, 2020

Senate grills FERC, DOE on power sector cybersecurity

Stakeholders have been very engaged with the Department of Energy since President Donald Trump's May 1 executive order, said a DOE senior advisor.

By Guy Burdick • Aug. 6, 2020

After ComEd bribery case, Illinois groups push for changes to clean energy bill

The groups want to undo recent rate increases from Ameren Illinois and ComEd, but the state Chamber of Commerce will not support the update if it still protects Exelon's nuclear plants.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 6, 2020

EPA extends utility coal ash compliance deadline 6 months

The rule gives utilities "reasonable deadlines," a NRECA spokesperson said, but environmental groups view it as the latest example of federal policy protecting industry interests.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 6, 2020

Offshore wind report forecasts $1.7B of revenue from new federal lease auctions by 2022

The offshore wind industry has asked the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to auction more areas for development ahead of the first large-scale project beginning operation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 5, 2020

Denver voters to decide on sales tax for GHG reduction projects

The 0.25% sales tax increase would bring in an estimated $36 million to support investments in solar power, job training in renewable energy and other initiatives.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 5, 2020

Accusations fly as California enviros say SoCalGas trying to undermine electrification efforts

Advocates have raised concerns about SoCalGas' role in administering a state incentive program that includes heat pump water heaters, saying the utility has repeatedly tried to undermine the technology.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 31, 2020

A blow to small solar, a win for states and utilities? Regulators, analysts assess FERC's PURPA rule

Federal regulators issued a ruling on the law earlier this month that stakeholders say could disproportionately benefit vertically-integrated utilities in non-competitive markets in particular.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 30, 2020

Southeastern utilities' energy market proposal appears to be less than it may SEEM

The proposal does not appear likely to significantly reduce customers’ bills or help to integrate renewables compared to other options that are available and which should be explored in more depth, the author writes.

By Steven Shparber • July 30, 2020

New Mexico approves 100% renewables + storage replacement for San Juan coal capacity

A full renewables portfolio, along with battery storage, was the only replacement option that fully satisfied the state's 100% carbon-free energy transition goals, according to regulators.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 30, 2020