Western Regionalization Plan B: Utilities take an interim step to expand the grid

California lawmakers rejected the CAISO expansion so western participants are instead looking to evolve the energy imbalance market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 30, 2018

Minnesota PUC approves 550 MW gas plant despite renewables push

Minnesota Power says the project will be necessary as "flexible, dispatchable energy producer" to help with its goal to supply 44% of electricity from renewables by 2025.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 30, 2018

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

US on pace for record coal retirements in 2018, IEEFA finds

The U.S. will retire 15.4 GW of coal capacity this year, the clean energy think tank reported, "easily" exceeding the previous record of 14.7 GW of coal shutdowns in 2015.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 30, 2018

Three ways utilities can better engage low-income customers

Renewables, smart meters, electric vehicles, mobile apps and other features of the "utility of the future" are proliferating. But are these technologies actually reaching all residential energy customers?

By Patty Durand • Oct. 30, 2018

Chatterjee, changed: FERC watchers see a more focused, less political chairman

Industry sources applaud Chatterjee’s newfound independence, but also preach caution about the once and current chairman.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 29, 2018

PJM's capacity market proposal: Bad for customers, states, and the fight against climate change

While FERC expressed concern about the impact of clean energy policies among different states in the region, it did not ask for a plan that would prop up generators at the expense of customers.

By Ann McCabe and John Moore • Oct. 29, 2018

California regulators moving quickly to review utility fire mitigation plans

The California Public Utilities Commission opened a proceeding to review utility fire mitigation measures, including new requirements set by recent legislation.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 29, 2018

Tesla's 'historic' quarter included gains in storage, solar

The company expects to triple energy storage deployments, installing 239 MWh of energy storage and 93 MW of solar in the third quarter.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 26, 2018

ISO-NE, generators spar over fuel security at FERC

The grid operator and independent generators in its market are at odds over whether a proposal to retain fuel secure resources would depress market prices. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 26, 2018

Minnesota, New York lead on shared renewables; California, Connecticut fall short

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council released its annual scorecard Thursday, grading 17 programs across 12 states on their shared renewable energy programs.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 26, 2018

California regulators prod utilities to start drafting roadmap to 100% clean energy

The sum of renewables procurements from California electricity providers is not enough to achieve the state's 2045 target, and regulators are struggling for solutions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 25, 2018

Longer lasting storage needs cheaper chemistries, MIT prof says

Market design and cheaper chemistries will be key to developing energy storage to support renewables, experts said at California ISO's Stakeholder Symposium.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 25, 2018

#UtilityDiveLive Twitter chat calls out utilities advancing DER

We partnered with the Smart Electric Power Alliance to talk about the opportunities and pitfalls of getting to the grid of the future.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 25, 2018

Beyond fuel security: Reliability, resilience and a more sustainable future through grid flexibility

Why the focus on fuel security when improving grid flexibility could achieve the aims of fuel security more cost effectively while modernizing and decarbonizing our grid?

By Jennie Chen and Kate Konschnik • Oct. 25, 2018

Trump names Chatterjee FERC chair

Outgoing Chairman Kevin McIntyre will step down from his post but remain on FERC as a commissioner, according to a letter released by the agency.

By Gavin Bade • Updated Oct. 25, 2018

Utilities worry FCC plan to open wireless spectrum could compromise communications

Making 6 GHz bandwidth available to unlicensed users could interfere with communications between utilities and their customers during emergencies, sector leaders fear. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 24, 2018

States, greens face off over PURPA implementation at FERC

Newly filed comments could help shape how FERC treats the 1978 law, the first to open power generation to competition.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 24, 2018

Puerto Rico considers move to 100% renewables, ending PREPA monopoly

The Puerto Rico House and Senate will hold a hearing this week to consider ending the monopoly status of the island's utility and generating 100% of its electric power from renewables by 2050.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 24, 2018

NV Energy looks to add 350 MW renewables, storage as state anti-monopoly vote approaches

The utility has said its addition of renewable energy resources is contingent on whether voters decide to eliminate electric power monopolies at the polls. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 23, 2018

New York energy storage: destination clear, road unsure

Stakeholders see different paths to reaching 1,500 MW of energy storage by 2025.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 23, 2018

Exelon CEO: Carbon price preferable to 'band-aid' nuke subsidies

Chris Crane said he would prefer a market-based climate solution to state resource subsidies and does not know the status of a White House bailout proposal for coal and nuclear plants. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 23, 2018

Virtual contracts drive a boom in corporate renewables procurement

As options for renewable energy purchase agreements grow, more businesses are coming into the market voluntarily.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2018

Revival of Bellefonte nuclear project could rest with Memphis muni

Private investor Nuclear Development wants to revive a defunct TVA nuclear project, but it needs Memphis Light, Gas and Water to buy the electrical output.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 23, 2018

Environmental groups cite hurricane concerns in coal ash suit against EPA

The groups are suing Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler and the EPA in the context of an August ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals, which established previous Obama-era guidelines hadn't gone far enough in protecting consumers.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 23, 2018

Report: Expected ruling on Summer cost recovery could imperil Dominion-SCANA merger

SCE&G wants to recover about $5 billion from ratepayers for the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project through the Base Load Review Act, which a judge is expected to overturn for being at odds with the state's constitution.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 23, 2018