Washington's Clean Fuels Standard: Good for utilities, consumers and… birds?

With so much uncertainty around the impacts of the Trump administration’s deregulatory agenda, it's imperative to have state-level regulations that don't depend on federal authority, the author writes.

By Adam Maxwell • March 2, 2020

NYC storage 'most adversely impacted' by FERC orders: NYISO CEO

Nuclear zero emissions credits and new renewable energy resource credits upstate will not face similar hurdles to market participation, said Richard Dewey, CEO of the grid operator.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 28, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

'Beyond frustating' Senate dispute stalls bipartisan energy legislation

Adoption of the comprehensive package was disrupted over an amendment that would limit the use of hydrofluorocarbons.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 10, 2020

Indiana Senate passes controversial coal bill after removing fuel oversupply provision

The latest iteration removed language that would have allowed utilities to store up to 90 days of fuel supply on site and shortens the sunset period. It now heads to conference committee, where stakeholders warn it could be reverted to its original version.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 5, 2020

Spending more on renewables 'inappropriate,' as technology is already viable: DOE Secretary

Dan Brouillette defended President Donald Trump's proposed cuts to energy efficiency and renewables to a House committee as a pivot toward emerging technologies that have not yet reached market maturity, such as energy storage.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 28, 2020

As Puget Sound Energy moves to sell Colstrip share, critics say Northwestern desperate to keep coal plant online

The Montana utility saw a massive profit from the plant in 2008, and now will do anything to keep the facility in its ratebase, say environmentalists.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 26, 2020

Massachusetts policies help Eversource, National Grid lead on energy efficiency while Southeast lags: ACEEE

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy updated their utility scorecard ranking 52 utilities, with Southern Company's Alabama Power finishing last.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 26, 2020

Transportation is 'climate enemy #1' — EVs and behavioral changes are the answers: report

The Environment America Research & Policy Center and the Frontier Group outlined three top strategies for decarbonizing the transportation sector.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 26, 2020

State of the Electric Utility 2020

Renewables and sustainability are top priorities for utilities, but there is room for improvement on cybersecurity, climate resilience and more, Utility Dive's seventh annual report finds.​

By Nami Sumida • Feb. 26, 2020

Charlotte, North Carolina, becomes largest US city to acquire large-scale solar through a green tariff

The city council approved a 35-megawatt project to generate 24% of its municipal electricity, making it the most populous U.S. city to acquire large-scale solar through a green tariff.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 25, 2020

Supreme Court Justice Gorsuch warns of unintended consequences in Atlantic Coast Pipeline case

Justices Neil Gorsuch echoed developer arguments in his questioning, warning that a lower court decision could 'invite pipelines' in Western national parks.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 25, 2020

FERC takes steps to modernize PURPA, but will it do more harm than good?

Proposed changes to the funding mechanics for Qualified Facilities under the law could negate or reverse the cost reductions the renewable energy sector has benefited from in the past few years.

By Tanya M. Larrabee • Feb. 25, 2020

New York governor proposes renewable energy permitting office to speed projects

If adopted, the 30-day budget amendment would "dramatically" speed up the permitting and construction of renewable energy projects, according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 24, 2020

Final EPA coal ash proposal could allow some ponds to go unlined, despite DC Circuit ruling

The agency found its latest proposal could save utilities between $41 million and $138 million per year, siding with industry to give more "flexibility" on what kind of liners adequately protect human health and groundwater.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 24, 2020

Cap coal ash in place? Duke and others have learned better

Forward-thinking utilities recognize that their communities and increasingly-stringent standards require more than leaving coal ash in polluting pits and have moved their coal ash to dry lined storage, the author writes.

By Frank Holleman • Feb. 24, 2020

FERC deals blow to New York renewable, storage projects, adding hurdles to NYISO capacity market

The commission's Feb. 20 orders join actions in PJM and ISO New England that "go after clean energy policies," Commissioner Richard Glick said after announcing his dissents.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 21, 2020

Largest New England coal plant clears ISO-NE capacity auction, will stay online until 2024

Critics say the plant, which runs at just 10% of its capacity from a decade ago, is a sign the auction favors incumbent generators over new, clean resources.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 20, 2020

Slowed pay-off from billions in AMI investment puts the technology's future in doubt

Regulators have approved billions for utilities to roll out advanced metering infrastructure, but they expected new customer and system benefits, not just lower utility operation costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 20, 2020

Breaking rooftop solar's distortions: SMUD readies community program for California building mandate

"Contrary to assertions by the rooftop solar industry that we do not support solar, all Neighborhood SolarShares does is offer a choice to home builders," writes Sacramento Municipal Utility District CEO Arlen Orchard.

By Arlen Orchard • Feb. 19, 2020

Jeff Bezos commits $10B to climate. How should he spend it?

The funding announcement "dwarfs other philanthropy in this realm," and could go toward anything from an amplified Beyond Carbon campaign to a mass electric vehicle rollout, stakeholders said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 19, 2020

California PUC proposes pilot programs to decarbonize buildings

The proposed decision outlines programs to incentivize near-zero emission technologies in residential buildings and build the market for low-emission space and water heaters.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 18, 2020

RTOs need better market signals for using gas, analysts say, as ISO-NE preps related rule

NARUC stakeholders discussed how grid operators and regulators facilitate communication between natural gas pipeline services and electric system needs.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 18, 2020

Utilities don't see stranded assets as a top risk. Should they?

Despite growing concerns that "bullish" utility investments in natural gas may lead to stranded assets amid rapid decarbonization, just 18% of utility employees surveyed by Utility Dive view those risks as a top concern.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 14, 2020

Virginia approves 100% clean energy legislation, pushing state toward 2.4 GW storage, RGGI

Following a Senate push to get the Virginia Clean Economy Act to conference committee, the energy package is headed to the Governor's desk.

By Matthew Bandyk • Updated March 6, 2020

Coal ash, Atlantic Coast Pipeline remain a headache for Duke as it expands 5 year spending by $6B

Not allowing the utility to fully recover costs around its $8-9 billion coal ash cleanup could prove "detrimental" to the utility's balance sheet, CEO Lynn Good said on the company's Q4 earnings call.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 13, 2020