Too much wind and solar raises power system costs. Deep decarbonization requires nuclear

Once wind and solar provide around 40% of a region's electric power, costs begin to rise substantially, an author of a new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology writes.

By John Reilly • Dec. 2, 2019

CAISO says resource adequacy order would cause market uncertainty, asks CPUC to reconsider

The system operator and other stakeholders urged regulators to "re-open the record" on an October decision clarifying the rules.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 27, 2019

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

2019 holiday wish list: Power sector edition

With the holiday season upon us, what do industry groups and environmental organizations want to see on the state and federal energy policy front?

By Larry Pearl • Nov. 27, 2019

Inside the fight to overhaul PURPA: What three commissioners think of FERC's proposed changes

The 1978 law — largely credited with driving the small renewables market — is facing a potential major shift, and though most regulators agree the rule should be changed, they disagree with some of FERC's mechanisms.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 26, 2019

Despite changes, commissioners see traditional utility system dominating over next decade: NARUC

U.S. utility commissioners agree that traditional fossil fuel generation will be an important aspect of grid reliability over the next decade, according to a NARUC survey.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 26, 2019

New NARUC president prioritizes cybersecurity training, ties between state and federal regulators

Commissioner Brandon Presley from Mississippi envisions every state commissioner feeling comfortable to collaborate with their counterparts at FERC or the FCC.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 26, 2019

National Grid lifts gas moratorium following deal with New York

The utility is looking into a range of long-term solutions to address supply needs in New York — and a controversial $1 billion pipeline project panned by environmental advocates is still on the table

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 25, 2019

FERC is on the right track with resilience. Republicans can help by upholding conservative principles

Republicans in Congress and the administration should affirm local control, while ensuring a high threshold to justify the government favoring any one energy resource or generation technology over another, the author writes.

By Charles Hernick • Nov. 25, 2019

ISO New England chief presses for carbon price in response to Sanders, Warren and others

A carbon price would be a "simple and easily-implemented mechanism" to speed renewables onto the grid, Gordon van Welie wrote, while noting that the region's states oppose its use within wholesale electricity markets.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 25, 2019

Ohio denies AEP cost recovery for 400 MW proposed solar, but projects expected to proceed

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio concluded the utility had not shown a need for the additional generation, but its decision creates uncertainty for the future of solar development in the state, environmental advocates said.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 25, 2019

PNM: Carbon capture would raise San Juan transition cost to $6B, as PRC, legislator battle rages

A proposal to lengthen the coal plant's life through what would be the largest carbon capture project to date is deemed too expensive by its majority owner and raises environmental concerns.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 25, 2019

PG&E says power shutoffs averted hundreds of fire risks, but cities blast lack of coordination

The utility did not tell San Jose officials which geographical areas would lose power and did not allow Sonoma County representatives into its emergency operations center, among other concerns for local officials.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 25, 2019

PJM, NYISO and ISO-NE pay $1.4B annually for excess capacity: Report

Resource adequacy in the Northeast region is determined by grid operators, not states, and it's leading to higher reserve margins, according to Grid Strategies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 22, 2019

Democrats move to take 100% clean energy push national with new bill

The legislation would ​require all sectors of the economy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, but gas and hydro groups stress the need for a diverse energy portfolio in any climate solution.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 22, 2019

EPA estimates proposal to relax power plant wastewater standards will save utilities $312M a year

Groups like Earthjustice fear the agency's proposed standards will put at risk hundreds of millions of dollars in annual public health benefits stemming from a 2015 update to the limits that never went into effect.

By Larry Pearl • Nov. 22, 2019

Can carbon capture save the San Juan coal plant?

A proceeding before New Mexico regulators begs the question of when and how the 940 MW plant will retire, and the decision may leave mandates under the state's landmark clean energy law behind.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 21, 2019

California groups challenge Sempra rate decisions allowing recovery of 'charitable contributions'

The decisions, involving San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas, break with decades of precedent, according to The Utility Reform Network and other advocates.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2019

Glick asks for return to 'nonpartisan' FERC as Senate advances Trump's pick

"I hope we can return back to the days when ... FERC used to be able to work as a nonpartisan entity," the sole Democrat FERC commissioner told a crowd of state regulators.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 20, 2019

PG&E challenges central tenet of bankruptcy law as it presses judge to reject California liability standards

PG&E hasn't demonstrated that regulators would prevent wildfire cost recovery if the utility is a "prudent operator," the federal bankruptcy judge found.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Dec. 2, 2019

PURPA is undermining the clean energy transition. Colorado has a better way

The most abusive manipulation of PURPA is its use by Qualifying Facilities to force utilities into lengthy "must-take" contracts, with above-market rates that are locked in for years or decades, the former head of Colorado's PUC writes.

By Joshua Epel • Nov. 19, 2019

Hawaii regulators call out HELCO cost controls in initial rate hike denial

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission's interim order denied a modest revenue increase for Hawaii Electric Light Co. An evidentiary hearing is slated for next month, and the decision could be changed.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 19, 2019

NYC, LA, DC and 23 states sue EPA over vehicle emission standards

The states and cities are suing the EPA, which has moved to block California's ability to set its own vehicle efficiency standards.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 19, 2019

Time to move away from old precedents in FERC pipeline reviews

Maintaining the status quo does not engender confidence that FERC is only approving pipeline projects that are truly needed, consistent with the “public convenience and necessity,” writes Analysis Group's Sue Tierney.

By Sue Tierney • Nov. 19, 2019

PJM taps former Texas utility, natural gas provider exec as CEO

Former Direct Energy Home President Manu Asthana will lead the grid operator starting Jan. 1 as it tackles several priorities, including implementing a FERC order to allow energy storage to compete in its market.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 19, 2019

New money: Green banks and green bonds are bringing billions to utilities for the energy transition

The financial mechanisms are bringing investors to renewables and distributed energy as utilities, co-ops and munis move away from uneconomic legacy assets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 19, 2019