California moves to preserve vehicle standards in face of EPA rollback

State air regulators on Tuesday released a plan that would keep tougher emissions rules in place for California if the Trump administration moves to weaken federal standards. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 8, 2018

Illinois seeks broader renewables access in updated procurement plan

The changes include ensuring all consumers, specifically those served by co-ops and munis, have access to the plan’s programs.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 8, 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

CAISO could lose 28 gas plants and keep the lights on: UCS

The plants are "dead weight" on the California system, researchers said, and could easily be replaced by other resources with no impact on reliability. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 8, 2018

Eligibility questions for new tax exclusions breed uncertainty for US power sector

Determining whether a particular company qualifies for these exemptions will be a necessity — not just for tax return accuracy, but also in determining the value and viability of pending and future M&A activity.

By Brian Murphy • Aug. 8, 2018

As second wave of state storage targets builds, utilities propose new projects

Experts are watching Arizona, Nevada and Colorado for new policies that will help develop the industry.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 7, 2018

NY regulators leave 680 MW gas plant without an air permit

The combined-cycle plant is a key part of the state's plan to replace capacity from the retiring Indian Point nuclear plant, which will go offline in 2021. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 7, 2018

Report: DOE, DHS planning new grid cybersecurity exercise this fall

The Liberty Eclipse exercise will focus on blackstart capabilities and the intersection of the natural gas and electric power sectors, E&E News reports. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 7, 2018

Oregon Supreme Court approves tax to fund state EV rebates

The program will tax auto dealers in order to fund electric vehicle rebates as part of Gov. Kate Brown's 2017 climate change initiative. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 7, 2018

FERC denies rehearing on Northern Access pipeline, overruling New York decision

The decision could help set a precedent for how FERC handles state challenges to its permitting authority for gas pipelines. 

By Gavin Bade • Updated Aug. 7, 2018

Court tosses construction permits for Atlantic Coast Pipeline

FERC's approval of the 600-mile pipeline was based on a faulty right-of-way permit from the National Park Service, the Fourth Circuit Court ruled, likely halting construction for the $6 billion project. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 6, 2018

FERC halts construction of Mountain Valley Pipeline after court ruling

The decision is the biggest victory yet for opponents of the 300-mile natural gas pipeline, which FERC approved last October. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 6, 2018

Split FERC approves Spire pipeline, brushing aside self-dealing concerns

The only entity that signed contracts for the 65-mile pipeline is an affiliate of the project developer, leading critics to question if the project is truly necessary.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 6, 2018

Hawaii's new fuel price performance incentive gives HECO 'skin in the game'

A new sharing mechanism moves some risk of fuel price volatility from customers to the utility, but not everyone is convinced it will make a difference. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 6, 2018

Broadband access: A regulatory call to action to protect utilities against cyber threats

Modernizing utility communications infrastructure to the advanced broadband available today will pay off for decades to come, according to Jack Markell, former Democratic governor of Delaware.

By Jack Markell • Aug. 6, 2018

Judge declines to block Arizona 50% renewables initiative, but risks remain

Arizonans for Affordable Energy challenged more than 75% of the signatures collected by supporters of the ballot initiative, but a judge says the court doesn't have authority to block them.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 3, 2018

Mayors condemn EPA's proposed freeze on auto emissions standards

The Climate Mayors coalition said the plan is an "unprecedented attack on both the environment and states' rights" and pledged to do more to combat climate change.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 3, 2018

EPA will not weaken Obama-era ozone standards

The decision means industry lawsuits against the rules can move forward, leaving the Trump Department of Justice to defend them. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 3, 2018

Will lower cost renewables and natural gas accelerate PacifiCorp's generation transition?

A Sierra Club-commissioned study is aimed at moving PacifiCorp’s planning ahead and getting more coal "off the grid."

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 2, 2018

Report: PG&E considers breaking up company to avoid wildfire liability

The company and its utility subsidiary have been highly critical of California laws that allow for wildfire liability even if standards and regulations are met, warning of the threat of bankruptcy and reorganization.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 2, 2018

EPA proposes to freeze auto emission standards, revoke California EV rules

The move could be met with opposition from utilities, which support pro-EV policies, but the EPA administrator said he is open to compromise with California.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 2, 2018

Massachusetts utilities file US-record offshore wind contracts at $65/MWh

If approved by regulators, utilities say the contracts would save $14/MWh compared with buying renewable energy on the open market. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 2, 2018

Dominion nuke plant eligible for zero carbon resources bid in Connecticut

The company had warned regulators that its Millstone nuclear plant was at risk of shuttering after the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's original RFP wouldn't have allowed it to bid until 2023.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 2, 2018

Advocates hail passage of Massachusetts clean energy bill but want to take it further

The state's final energy bill is a watered down version of the one passed by the Senate in June.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 2, 2018

Puerto Rico utility's new deal to relieve about $9B of debt

Debt consolidation may help clear the way for privatization of PREPA. News of the deal raised the value of PREPA's bonds by about 40% on Monday. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2018

Electric vehicle and stationary storage batteries begin to diverge as performance priorities evolve

As the stationary energy storage market matures, lithium-ion battery makers are beginning to adapt.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 1, 2018