Arizona regulators at odds over PURPA implementation

The state could miss out on $500 million in solar investment if regulators delay changes to contract terms under the federal law, Commissioner Andy Tobin argues. 

By Gavin Bade • March 11, 2019

Duke defends IRP as greens push North Carolina regulators to reassess

Consumer and environmental advocates say the utility's 15-year plan in North Carolina is too expensive and doesn't do enough to eliminate fossil fuels. 

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Cybersecurity of the Grid

In addition to presenting opportunities for growth, AI is exacerbating cyber threats with more sophisticated malware that is easier than ever to build and deploy. The rise of distributed energy resources also creates more opportunities for attack. 

By Utility Dive staff

Consumers shouldn't pay for bureaucratic thinking on electricity

Achieving grid reliability and resilience that meet customer needs will require a culture shift within regulatory agencies and grid operators away from reliability-at-all-costs and toward reliability-at-the-right-cost.

By Devin Hartman and Caitlin Marquis • March 8, 2019

DOE plans to complete 13 of 16 delayed efficiency standards in 'coming months'

A spokesperson said the standards include rules for clothes dryers, cooking products and electric motors, but did not provide further details.

By Gavin Bade • March 7, 2019

ISO-NE forecasts transition to distributed, renewable generation

The grid operator released its 2019 Regional Electricity Outlook last week, listing natural gas plants as the only new conventional generation resource expected online between 2018 and 2020.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 7, 2019

Judge scales back PG&E wildfire safety plan in new proposed order

PG&E would follow its wildfire mitigation plan under a new order from Judge William Alsup, but would not have to comply with an extensive Jan. 9 proposed order it estimated could cost $150 billion.

By Gavin Bade • March 7, 2019

Efficiency leads 2019 energy job growth prospects

Energy efficiency employers project a 7.8% growth rate for jobs this year, more than double the increase last year, in what the latest U.S. Energy and Employment Report deemed the "toughest hiring climate."

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2019

EPS Ep. 8: 'The coal bailout no one is talking about' with Joe Daniel of UCS

Customers are subsidizing coal plants with more than a billion dollars a year, the Union of Concerned Scientists analyst says, thanks to market rules that allow monopoly-owned plants to choose when they generate electricity.

By Gavin Bade • March 6, 2019

Extreme weather alert: How utilities are adapting to a changing climate

The costs of recent U.S. hurricanes and wildfires have been in the tens of billions of dollars. The pace, scale and scope of efforts need to increase dramatically to ensure safe and reliable energy delivery, Navigant says.

By Frank Stern, Sarah Hendel-Blackford, Kaboo Leung, Ian Trim Rodrigo Leal and Danielle Vitoff • March 6, 2019

Industrial consumers oppose evolving Pennsylvania nuclear subsidy proposal

An early-February draft bill leaked last week would create a tier under Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio to direct utilities to purchase power from the state's nine nuclear plants.

By Gavin Bade • March 6, 2019

Minnesota 100% carbon-free bill joins flurry of state level clean energy action

Gov. Tim Walz's proposal expands energy efficiency programs and removes benchmark emissions requirements that utilities "have always blown by."

By Catherine Morehouse • March 5, 2019

Wyoming passes coal support bill in spate of Western action to save ailing plants

Montana lawmakers are also considering a bill to support the 2.2 GW Colstrip plant and a New Mexico clean energy bill includes provisions to help utility PNM recoup coal closure costs. 

By Gavin Bade • Updated March 11, 2019

'Virtually all' coal plants monitoring groundwater show ash pollution, report finds

The first comprehensive analysis of utility groundwater reports — representing three quarters of the U.S. coal fleet — reveals a widespread environmental and public health issue.

By Gavin Bade • March 4, 2019

New York moves to phase out older peaking plants as it targets 100% clean energy

A new state proposal would set lower thresholds for emissions of nitrogen oxides, and allow plant owners to meet the new standards in part by installing renewable or batteries.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2019

Business, enviro groups see strong prospects for Illinois 100% clean energy bill

Analysts consider energy efficiency essential to achieving a 100% renewables by 2050 goal, and the bill recommends extending the timeline for such energy saving programs to maximize benefits.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 1, 2019

Senate confirms Wheeler as EPA head, reinforcing regulation rollback

The 52-47 vote will allow the former coal lobbyist to continue his deregulatory efforts uninterrupted, despite defections from two senators who voted to confirm him as the No. 2 at EPA last year.  

By Gavin Bade • March 1, 2019

Are city climate goals too ambitious? Leaders worry about compressed timelines

During a WRI-hosted media briefing, city sustainability leaders expressed concern that it may be too late to deal with the worst effects of climate change.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 28, 2019

Perry wants new FERC regulators to push through LNG export applications

Perry praised FERC’s approval of the Calcasieu Pass LNG facility last week, but said having a full contingency at FERC would help push through 12 more LNG applications.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 28, 2019

Newly-elected Arizona commissioner prepares to subpoena APS over political spending

Arizona Corporation Commissioner Sandra Kennedy is acting on a 2018 campaign promise to require Arizona Public Service and its parent company, Pinnacle West Capital, to disclose several years of political spending.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 28, 2019

California regulators tee up changes to utility distributed storage programs

A proposed decision from an Administrative Law Judge would direct utilities to allow independently owned projects to compete with utility-owned proposals when procuring distributed storage.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 28, 2019

EPA enforcement shift will allow coal plants to pollute more, former air official says

EPA's decision to de-prioritize enforcement of the New Source Review standards will allow plants to make upgrades without oversight, a former director of the agency's Air Enforcement Division told Congress.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 27, 2019

New York utilities propose cybersecurity protocols for third parties

New York's investor-owned utilities want the Public Service Commission to confirm they can require third-party grid players to sign data security commitments or have their access restricted.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2019

New York utilities, NYISO to collaborate on allowing storage in state's wholesale and retail markets

Following through on its approval of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 1.5 GW by 2025 target, the Public Service Commission laid out priorities for a working group on integration and market design for energy storage.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 26, 2019

DTE's wind-only option spurs Michigan regulators to approve revised green pricing program

The revisions address regulator concerns over cost and pricing transparency and will allow DTE Electric residential and small commercial customers to elect how much renewable energy they use.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2019

Virginia regulators deny Walmart request to leave Dominion utility service

The State Corporation Commission said the loss of power demand from more than 160 stores would raise rates too much for residential customers who cannot choose their electricity provider.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 26, 2019