California county brings in a ringer to champion the return of local net metering

Renova, the largest solar installer in the region, has stepped in to defend the county's new ordinance requiring Imperial Irrigation District to restart its net metering program.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2018

As California grid expansion nears finish line, hurdles only get higher

"With this bill, anything we do makes someone grumpy," said one architect of legislation to create a full Western electricity market.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 24, 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

Report: SCANA, Dominion offered $1,500 refunds to escape Summer rate cut

The utilities wanted to increase support for their proposed merger and retain the ability to charge customers for the canceled V.C. Summer nuke, but lawmakers rejected their plan by wide margins.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2018

Report: Trump will move to rescind California vehicle emission, EV rules

The move could be met with opposition from utilities, which have stepped up their support for electric vehicles in the past year.

By Gavin Bade • July 24, 2018

Russian hackers infiltrated utility control rooms, DHS says

The hackers breached isolated utility networks thought to be secure and "got to the point where they could have thrown switches," Homeland Security officials said Monday.

By Gavin Bade • July 24, 2018

High power costs spur 42 MWh of storage deals in Ontario

Electricity prices in Ontario have spurred innovation in energy storage as commercial and industrial customers look for ways to cut energy costs.

By Peter Maloney • July 23, 2018

Vermont PUC seeks alternative ratemaking proposals to boost renewables

In a Monday order, the state's PUC urges regulators to approach new methods of utility operations "with open minds," in order to meet Vermont's aggressive clean energy goals.

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2018

Western RTO could save California $1.5B per year by 2030, report says

A full regional power market could create jobs and boost renewables, but some California stakeholders worry about impacts on the state's leading environmental policies.

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2018

IPL rate deal largely avoids fixed charge hike

The utility had requested a $10 increase to fixed charges that opponents said would reduce distributed solar and harm elderly and low-income ratepayers. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 23, 2018

Massachusetts power players scramble for deal in critical storage, DER docket

Utilities and developers aim to reach a compromise this week over who owns the capacity rights for storage and renewable resources — a question central to their future growth.

By Peter Maloney • July 23, 2018

NERC to beef up, prioritize cyber incident reporting under new rule

Current rules only require a cyber incident report if one or more reliability tasks have been disrupted or compromised. FERC directed the reliability nonprofit to expand reporting requirements under significantly broader scenarios.

By Robert Walton • July 20, 2018

DOE's Walker, Little under consideration for FERC seat, industry sources say

The DOE assistant secretary and the former Arizona regulator would likely be more loyal to the White House's energy priorities than outgoing Commissioner Robert Powelson, according to sources.  

By Gavin Bade • July 20, 2018

FERC approves gas pipelines as Powelson eyes exit

Chairman Kevin McIntyre says he doesn't expect a "raft of 2-2 votes" that could deadlock the agency until Powelson's replacement is confirmed. 

By Gavin Bade • July 19, 2018

DOE rolls out $2B loan guarantee program for renewable energy on tribal lands

Solar-plus-storage projects could be the focus of the DOE's new loan guarantee program.

By Peter Maloney • July 19, 2018

Report: DOE bailout for coal, nuclear plants could cost $34B

The new analysis completed by Brattle does not include any potential impacts of the government's purchase on competitive markets. 

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2018

Rise of net zero energy homes could boost utility-led community solar

Modeling of new energy-efficient home developments found community solar offers system advantages not available from rooftop solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 19, 2018

Puerto Rico governor names new PREPA CEO, board members

The appointment of José Ortiz, a former PREPA board chairman and CEO of the island's state-owned water utility, raised concerns over political influence at the troubled utility. 

By Gavin Bade • July 19, 2018

Earliest New York will have carbon price is Q2 2021, NYISO says

The timeline outlined on Monday is intended to provide certainty to energy trading markets that are currently pricing power prior to the second quarter of 2021, the grid operator said.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2018

Trump administration weakens coal ash rule

The final rule loosens requirements for handling coal ash, allowing states flexibility that could save them more than $30 million annually. But environmentalists say much more is at stake.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2018

Report details 'bottom-up' climate strategies for cities, states

The America's Pledge report covers 10 opportunities for climate action, including expanding renewable energy and accelerating retirement of coal power.

By Jason Plautz • July 18, 2018

Transmission line is 'game changer' for AEP's $4.5B Wind Catcher, Texas PUC chair says

Texas regulators last week honed in on ratepayer risks and benefits of the proposed 2,000 MW wind farm and 360 mile transmission line.

By Peter Maloney • July 18, 2018

APS spends $11 million to keep 50% renewables measure off ballot

The utility says it is concerned the measure would lead it to retire its Palo Verde nuclear plant early, an argument contested by environmental groups. 

By Gavin Bade • July 18, 2018

LaFleur: FERC unlikely to act on pipeline review before Powelson exit

Failure to rule on the docket before Powelson leaves could empower the two Democrats on the commission, who could deadlock FERC votes until a replacement is confirmed. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 18, 2018

FERC climate policy faces new challenge at DC Circuit Court

Earlier this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission narrowly voted to restrict the consideration of climate change impacts in its review of pipeline projects.

By Robert Walton • July 18, 2018

PJM CEO: Grid operator will respond to FERC capacity market order within 60 days

The operator could ask federal regulators for an extension, but CEO Andy Ott said that would run the risk of not having changes in place before the next capacity market auction.

By Gavin Bade • July 17, 2018