EV charging gets small slice in Democrats' $494B transport infrastructure bill

The INVEST in America Act would reauthorize funding that's currently provided under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act to invest in greener infrastructure, including electric vehicle charging stations.

By Chris Teale • June 5, 2020

Renewables' potential depends on transparent and fair policies, not special interest giveaways

FirstEnergy spinoff Energy Harbor is receiving a $1 billion taxpayer bailout while also enriching its shareholders with an $800 million stock buyback. This is crony capitalism at its worst, the author writes.

By Michael K. Dorsey • June 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

Utilities stay silent on proposal to federalize net metering as states call it a 'threat' to solar policy

States have spent years examining distributed generation compensation policies, and upending those efforts for "one-size-fits-all federalization" is "irritating," Arkansas Public Service Commission Chair Ted Thomas said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated June 4, 2020

PJM: MOPR compliance plan aims to avoid FERC's 'immense' and 'unreasonable' burden

FERC clarified in April that default capacity auctions are a state subsidy under the Minimum Offer Price Rule. But PJM warns too expansive a definition could "paralyze" the voluntary markets.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 4, 2020

The 3 key challenges to expanding the West's real-time energy market to day-ahead trading

Driven by new Western state renewables and zero emissions mandates, the 11 active participants and nine new applicants in the Energy Imbalance Market are pushing to expand it to day-ahead trading.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 3, 2020

Outdated NEPA needs modernizing. Just ask Warren Buffett

As the U.S. economy prepares to recover from the current crisis, important job and revenue-creating proposals like the 1,000 mile Gateway West transmission project don’t need to languish in a regulatory morass, the author writes.

By Paul Griffin • June 3, 2020

Massachusetts hopes 'localized approach' to GHG inventory can spread

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council rolled out tools for local communities to collect and track emissions data, something officials believe could be replicated in other regions.

By Chris Teale • June 2, 2020

Is subnational carbon pricing the off-ramp for MOPR?

FERC's April ruling refines the applicability of MOPR to green industrial policy and clarifies that it does not apply to voluntary private behavior and environmental policy, opening the door to emissions-based policies, the author writes.

By Devin Hartman • June 2, 2020

Ex-FERC commissioners debate solutions to coal self-committments said to cost millions

Former FERC Commissioner Suedeen Kelly says the issue will have to be resolved at the state level, while former Chair Jon Wellinghoff argues such market distortions should be addressed by FERC.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 1, 2020

Cities need more expertise, utility support in 100% renewables push: report

The authors said local leaders should invest more time to find ways that ensure the energy transition is equitable and does not leave marginalized communities behind.

By Chris Teale • June 1, 2020

Observing recovery through a climate 'magnifying glass'

COVID-19 presented cities with fresh observations of climate trends, marking a crucial time for leaders to weave climate change mitigation into recovery efforts.

By Chris Teale • May 29, 2020

A sneak peek at San Francisco's new low-carbon neighborhood

The city unanimously approved plans to build a 29-acre sustainable, transportation-efficient community on the site of a former century-old fossil fuel power plant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 29, 2020

US solar developers get reprieve on bifacial panel prices as judge rejects USTR move on tariffs

While the ruling ensures developers can purchase the more efficient two-sided panels from Asia for a few months without any tariffs, the government is expected to continue its efforts to remove the exemption.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2020

EPA backtracks on fish-protecting requirements in long-delayed Merrimack coal plant permit

The permit has not been updated since 1992, and environmentalists say the agency's proposal is "a complete 180" from the permit proposed in 2011, which would have required the plant to install cooling towers.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 28, 2020

24 Congressional Democrats urge FERC to reject net metering overhaul

The proposal is an affront to states' rights as well as a threat to distributed energy compensation policies, senators and representatives wrote.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 28, 2020

Murkowski, Collins, Tillis urge Treasury to extend aid to solar industry

The Republican senators asked Secretary Steven Mnuchin to extend safe harbor requirements for the "start of construction" on renewables projects, and modify the "physical work test" rule to ensure eligibility for tax credits.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 26, 2020

Pros and cons of FRRExit: Correcting the record in the wake of Monitoring Analytics' cost estimates

As states weigh FERC’s Minimum Offer Price Rule order, it’s important to clarify the risks and benefits of an alternative to PJM’s centralized capacity procurement called the Fixed Resource Requirement, the authors write.

By Rob Gramlich and Miles Farmer • May 26, 2020

Virginia approves Dominion time-of-use rate experiment over stakeholder objections

The proposal could be a precursor for a system-wide rollout of the time varying rates, but NGOs and the state's Office of Consumer Counsel first want the company to provide more details.

By Guy Burdick • May 22, 2020

State-federal tension 'at an all time high' between MOPR, net metering attack, says head Maryland regulator

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Neil Chatterjee, meanwhile, urged states to give the MOPR time.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 22, 2020

FERC approves PJM reserve overhaul with $2B price tag, critics say move ignores overcapacity

"We are starting to see evidence that the future of PJM as we know it is at stake ... no matter how many times the chairman denies it,” Commissioner Richard Glick said in his dissent.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 21, 2020

EPA accused of 'pandemic of pollution' as Trump orders regulatory relief

Democrats and environmentalists say the EPA already has gone too far in cutting regulations as President Trump orders additional regulatory relief to aid in economic recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic.

By Guy Burdick • May 21, 2020

Exelon, PSEG urge New Jersey to adopt FRR alternative to PJM, as competitive providers push for CASPR

Utilities and competitive suppliers have expressed concern that FERC's Minimum Offer Price Rule would harm coastal states' nascent offshore wind industry, but have competing proposals over how to save it.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 21, 2020

D.C. Circuit gives new life to Maryland drive to tighten pollution limits for upwind coal plants

The Tuesday ruling could not only help Maryland, but other states seeking remedies to meet federal ozone standards as well.

By Larry Pearl • May 20, 2020

Oregon proposes omitting power plants from 'cap and reduce' plan to meet GHG target

A new report from environmental regulators questions the ability of state-specific emissions caps to drive greenhouse gas reductions in the power sector, so officials are considering another approach: ratemaking.

By Emma Penrod • May 20, 2020

PJM, retail suppliers scrambling to appease MOPR concerns amid state threats to exit capacity market

Critical stakeholders are signaling they may be willing to negotiate as Maryland, New Jersey and others are looking for a way out of the capacity market.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 20, 2020