Ballot initiative flops mask strong election for clean energy

The failure of high-profile ballot initiatives in Arizona and Washington came amid wins for renewable energy supporters in key gubernatorial races.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 7, 2018

States raise Exelon market power concerns over Mystic cost recovery proposal at FERC

Exelon's threat to shut down the Mystic Generating Station if it does not receive financial support is a "charade," Connecticut utility regulators argued.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 6, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Texas generators, utilities square off at PUC over storage ownership

The Texas regulatory docket will determine which companies get to own battery storage and other non-traditional grid technologies in the state. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 6, 2018

Pennsylvania utilities push back on 'prescriptive' ratemaking regulation

The passage of Act 58 gives state regulators authority to approve alternative rate mechanisms, but utilities say a proposed policy statement is too heavy-handed.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2018

PJM CEO: Powering a resilient grid through competitive markets

Federal action to protect specific power plants is not only unnecessary, PJM CEO Andy Ott writes, it would raise consumer costs and discourage investment in newer, more efficient technologies.

By Andrew L. Ott • Nov. 6, 2018

ISO New England unveils new initiatives to enhance winter reliability

New England has been looking for market-based solutions to winter difficulties, as its reliance on natural gas has at times put the grid operator in a tight spot.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2018

Sonnen prepares its next step in aggregating residential storage

Sonnen has turned residential energy storage into virtual power plants in Germany, but has to adapt to do that in the U.S.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 6, 2018

Chatterjee blasts Clean Power Plan, praises EPA replacement in filed comments

Criticism of the Obama administration's defunct carbon regulations was filed the same day that Chatterjee pledged to be a nonpolitical FERC chairman in comments to reporters.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 5, 2018

Emerging best practices for utility grid hardening

The impacts of extreme weather on utility infrastructure are forcing utilities and regulators to take a more proactive approach to storm preparation, risk mitigation and budgeting than they have been accustomed to.

By Jeremy Clark • Nov. 5, 2018

Dem-controlled House would mean expanded oversight, little bipartisan energy work

While moderate Republicans have warmed to clean energy in recent years, Tuesday's election will present a more conservative GOP House caucus as well as the potential for Democratic control.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 5, 2018

Xcel, Boulder agree on separation details in march towards municipal utility

Officials say they are making progress on forming a municipal utility, moving toward an expected November 2020 up-or-down decision by Boulder voters.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2018

4 energy leaders make a run for the House on Dem ballot

As the midterms approach, the energy industry has its own set of candidates running in some tight congressional races. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 2, 2018

Electric utilities quietly praise EPA coal plant emissions rule

Many large utilities did not comment on the EPA's Affordable Clean Energy rule directly, but a lobbying organization they fund endorsed the looser pollution standards. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 2, 2018

4 state ballot initiatives the utility sector will watch on Election Day

RPS measures in Nevada and Arizona are likely to pass, while the question of a carbon tax in Washington is too close to call.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2018

Vogtle in sight as money pours into Georgia regulator race

Competition for two Public Service Commission seats has become increasingly heated as Republican incumbents garner support from individuals affiliated with Southern Company.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 2, 2018

2018 Election Roundup: Democrats seek gains amid clean energy push

While energy is typically low on voters' priority lists, Utility Dive looks at a number of developments that could impact the power sector — from four state ballot initiatives to the race for Georgia's Public Service Commission.

Nov. 2, 2018

PJM CEO pans coal bailout but says plant payments needed in mid-2020s

A new report on PJM fuel security shows risks to the system could arise in five to six years if more power plants retire than anticipated and multiple stressors hit the grid at once. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 1, 2018

Port Authority of NY/NJ pledges to electrify entire bus fleet

The agency is also spending $100 million on energy retrofits as part of a goal of cutting emissions 80% by 2050.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 1, 2018

Nevada's Question 3 pits retail choice against uncertainty in battle of billionaires

Voters could pass a constitutional amendment that restructures the state's regulated utility, opens a competitive electricity market and subjects customers and lawmakers to hard questions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 1, 2018

Chatterjee pledges no political influence after 'growing into' FERC role

The new FERC chairman says he's evolved into a nonpartisan regulator in the past year — and that will help keep the agency insulated from political pressures. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 31, 2018

Glick raises bailout concerns over resilience, fuel security dockets

The FERC regulator is worried open proceedings at his agency could have similar effects to a coal and nuclear bailout from the White House that his agency rejected last year. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 31, 2018

Utility solar expands in Florida as regulators approve 260 MW

Investor-owned utilities like Tampa Electric are using a state solar funding mechanism to "rate base" large-scale projects before the investment tax credit winds down.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 31, 2018

Western Regionalization Plan B: Utilities take an interim step to expand the grid

California lawmakers rejected the CAISO expansion so western participants are instead looking to evolve the energy imbalance market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 30, 2018

Minnesota PUC approves 550 MW gas plant despite renewables push

Minnesota Power says the project will be necessary as "flexible, dispatchable energy producer" to help with its goal to supply 44% of electricity from renewables by 2025.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 30, 2018

US on pace for record coal retirements in 2018, IEEFA finds

The U.S. will retire 15.4 GW of coal capacity this year, the clean energy think tank reported, "easily" exceeding the previous record of 14.7 GW of coal shutdowns in 2015.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 30, 2018