Wisconsin regulators grant wind transmission project preliminary approval

The controversial project would allow the state to add 25 GW of renewable energy capacity to the Great Plains market and ensure reliability. Opponents argue for transmission updates to existing infrastructure.

By Max Witynski • Aug. 21, 2019

What will electricity pricing look like in 2040?

Experts weigh in on their rate design predictions, ranging from complex rates and set-it, forget-it technologies to Netflix-like subscription plans.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2019

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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

Xcel needs a push to improve its grid transparency tools

Further improvements to Xcel's hosting capacity analysis and map are necessary to help Minnesota realize the full potential of DERs, including renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy storage, writes Yochi Zakai, an attorney for IREC.

By Yochi Zakai • Aug. 20, 2019

New Mexico city fights for federal carbon capture funding in next move to save San Juan coal plant

Farmington, New Mexico, signed an agreement to transfer 95% of the plant's ownership from other stakeholders to a local energy company.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 19, 2019

Wisconsin governor orders 100% carbon free by 2050, despite lack of legislative support

Gov. Tony Evers, D, signed an executive order on Friday after being unable to pass more aggressive energy policy through the state's budget.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 19, 2019

New Mexico senator moves to impeach utility commissioners as tensions rise over San Juan closure

A legislator frustrated with what he says is politically motivated opposition to the state's comprehensive clean energy law is heightening pressure on regulators.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 16, 2019

Top Arizona regulator spurs retail choice progress, pushes for rule drafting

The Arizona Corporation Commission had closed its retail electric competition docket in 2013, following the opposition of Arizona Public Service.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 16, 2019

EPA details renewables, efficiency health benefits as DOE slows energy savings progress

The agency says the report's purpose is to give state and local officials a clearer roadmap when developing policies around renewables and energy savings.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 15, 2019

Everyone loves a guaranteed discount: New financing approach drives community solar growth

Innovations are transforming community solar nationwide, but the technology is also booming in Florida where, despite utilities not using discounts to spur development​, FPL is planning the world's largest community solar project.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 15, 2019

US needs to invest $2.2 billion to meet EV charging demand through 2025: ICCT

Studies show such spending will be critical as the lack of charging opportunities remains a top barrier for U.S. EV adoption.

By HJ Mai • Aug. 14, 2019

Seattle City Council passes resolution advancing Green New Deal

Council members' decision, which lays out various climate-friendly development strategies, was met with a standing ovation from spectators.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 14, 2019

Renewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility

New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019

Consumers Energy agrees to clear PURPA queue, add 584 MW renewables by 2023

Michigan regulators approved the settlement, which will address over 3 GW of qualifying facilities waiting to interconnect.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Sept. 11, 2019

Maryland moves to align with other states on ratemaking, allow multi-year plans

The Maryland Public Service Commission says the alternative ratemaking process will make rates more predictable, shorten utility cost recovery time and reduce the administrative burden of annual rate filings.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 13, 2019

EPA moves to streamline permitting for power plant expansions, gas pipelines

One of the agency's actions aims to guarantee developers will avoid triggering New Source Review permitting if one portion of their project increases emissions, as long as those emissions are offset by a larger decrease in other parts of the project.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 12, 2019

New York regulators call on FERC to exempt energy storage from NYISO's mitigation measures

The Public Service Commission alleges NYISO is negatively impacting the deployment of storage in the state.

By HJ Mai • Aug. 12, 2019

Seattle mayor proposes heating oil tax to push electrification

The 24 cents-per-gallon tax would cover rebates and grants to help 3,000 homes transition to electric power.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 9, 2019

New York looks to Europe for offshore wind coordination, interconnection models to develop 9 GW

State stakeholders say coordination is key as they juggle a variety of transmission players based on the lessons learned from Europe, where developers have installed more than 17 GW of offshore wind.

By Max Witynski • Aug. 9, 2019

Coal, nuclear could see boost in New England this winter as new tariff goes into effect

The tariff will compensate power plants such as nuclear, coal-fired and oil-fired generation, but excludes resources such as offshore wind, which the grid operator has credited for providing significant value during cold snaps.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Aug. 12, 2019

Crossed wires: Wisconsin transmission proposal sparks debate over best path to 100% clean energy

A major MISO transmission project could increase reliability and renewables in the Midwest, but opponents say there are better approaches to reducing carbon emissions.

By Max Witynski • Updated Sept. 30, 2019

New Mexico governor wants to upend PRC as regulators skirt clean energy law

Michelle Lujan Grisham intends to speed up a legislative decision that would restructure the state's regulatory body as tensions mount over implementing New Mexico's comprehensive Energy Transition Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 8, 2019

Los Angeles County to go carbon neutral by 2050

The OurCounty plan calls for eliminating fossil fuel production and transitiioing the workforce toward clean energy.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 8, 2019

Hawaii regulators question lack of non-wires alternatives in HECO's integrated grid plan

The Public Utilities Commission asked if a "course of correction is necessary" for the utility's plan, particularly regarding the resilience benefits of microgrid solutions on the state's mountainous islands.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 8, 2019

Colorado county fights to save time-of-use rate pilot rejected by regulators

Pueblo County is appealing the Colorado PUC's decision, arguing that while the objectives of the pilot could have been better spelled out, it doesn't warrant abandoning the proposal by Black Hills Energy altogether.

By John Funk • Aug. 8, 2019

Virginia rejects Dominion bid to recover environmental spending on coal units slated for shutdown

The State Corporation Commission said the $18.4 million Dominion spent on Chesterfield units 3 and 4 was not a reasonable investment, but approved a $286.8 million rate rider for enviromental costs at several other coal units.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 7, 2019