With Hogan 'no' vote, Maryland board rejects Columbia Gas pipeline expansion

Environmental activists hope the governor's vote represents a major shift in energy policy, but company officials remain committed to building the 3.5-mile pipeline.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 3, 2019

10 trends shaping the electric power sector in 2019

From coal bailouts to batteries and wind and solar growth, here are the issues that will define the year to come.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 2, 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

California AG: PG&E could be prosecuted for murder

Any charges would need to be filed by local officials, but if PG&E's equipment was operated in a reckless manner and is found responsible for sparking wildfires, the utility could face criminal prosecution.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 2, 2019

EPA to reconsider rationale for mercury emission rules

Utilities have largely complied with the 2012 rule, but altering the EPA's calculus for which regulations are "appropriate and necessary" could put limits on future environmental rules.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 31, 2018

Our 10 best stories of 2018

Our top stories of the year illustrate the decline of coal-fired generation and the numerous policy surprises that came out of the federal government this year.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 21, 2018

FERC approves cost recovery for Exelon's Mystic gas plant

The approval illustrates continued debate over how to value fuel secure resources in New England and elsewhere.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 21, 2018

Climate adaptation plan for Columbus, OH includes improved grid resiliency, efficiency

The document contains 43 action items to boost the city's resilience to the effects of climate change, divided into categories: necessary and aspirational.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 21, 2018

How policies can make or brake solar development in the Southeast

Third party financing can enable solar growth, but faces hurdles in several states. Some utilities are not compensating for solar's value on the grid and leveling charges specific to solar owners. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 20, 2018

Letting the market, not MOPR, decide in PJM's capacity mechanism

A letter from gas generators to FERC says the American Way is to rely on the market; we agree, we're just not convinced that's what the generators actually want, says Mike Hogan of The Regulatory Assistance Project.

By Mike Hogan • Dec. 20, 2018

Chatterjee defends McNamee, tables LNG export vote amid partisan impasse

The chairman said he was "disappointed" not to vote on the Calcasieu Pass LNG export facility, but removed it from consideration after an apparent deadlock with the two Democrats on FERC.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 20, 2018

New Mexico regulators approve PNM plan to phase out coal by 2031

PNM plans to replace the lost capacity largely with solar and natural gas, though storage could play a role as prices continue to drop.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 20, 2018

As grid mod accelerates and regulators push back, Duke and others retool proposals

Within this whirlwind of activity, some utilities are responding well and some are struggling to meet pressure from regulators and stakeholders to justify spending proposals.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 20, 2018

As 67 coal plants in 22 states report coal ash violations, greens fear prolonged cleanup

A number of environmental groups filed a petition for review against the Environmental Protection Agency and Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler, fearing rollbacks on coal ash rules could extend the timeline for utility cleanup.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 20, 2018

Green groups press for McNamee recusal on FERC resilience docket

McNamee's work on coal and nuclear bailout plans show he has "prejudged central matters of law and fact that remain at issue," four environmental groups wrote. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 19, 2018

Energy groups pan NERC generation retirement report for 'extreme' assumptions

NERC officials said some regions may need "new market constructs" and "out-of-market constructs" to slow the pace of plant shutdowns, but renewable energy and gas groups say the study is misguided.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 19, 2018

Merger, they wrote: Avista and Hydro One ask Washington regulators to reconsider rejection

The utilities seek a rehearing, saying the Utilities and Transportation Commission misunderstood the political risks related to their proposed $6.7 billion merger.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 19, 2018

DC passes 'most ambitious' mandate for 100% renewables by 2032

The bill would put Washington on track to hit 100% renewables nearly a decade before any state. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 19, 2018

New Jersey regulators hand third rejection to Atlantic City offshore wind pilot

The proposed Nautilus project would have been in state waters within three miles of the shore, as opposed to the farther projects that will be considered for the state’s upcoming 1.1 GW offshore wind solicitation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 19, 2018

NY's energy storage target: It's the journey, not the destination, stakeholders say

Many pieces still need to come together to create a truly viable energy storage market in New York State, but analysts see the PSC's energy storage target as a good first step.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 18, 2018

Capacity pricing changes: How each power market plans to account for resource adequacy

While PJM's capacity market reform plans dominate headlines, all grid operators are facing the need for greater flexibility as renewables increasingly enter their system.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 18, 2018

Dominion seeks to recover $300M from Virginia ratepayers for coal ash efforts

In an application to state regulators for the rate increase, the utility said its environmental efforts were essential to keep coal plants open.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 18, 2018

New York Gov. Cuomo pledges 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040

The announcement comes days after the state Public Service Commission approved the third phase of its clean energy standard as well as a 3 GW energy storage goal.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 18, 2018

Moody's sees robust utility capital spending in 2018, dip in 2019, 2020

Tax cuts are eating into utility cash flows, but are not deterring investments in capital spending.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 18, 2018

New Jersey regulators issue rules to rejoin RGGI carbon trading system

Gov. Phil Murphy, D, issued an executive order in January to rejoin the CO2 trading system, but it took months for state regulators to work out the details.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 18, 2018

Siemens: Cities are prioritizing electrification, but grid modernization is required

Siemens released a report that used the company's City Performance Tool to assess the status of electrification in 40 global cities.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 17, 2018