California PUC proposes guidelines for 'last resort' de-energizations as wildfire season looms

Utilities may need to de-energize power lines during high winds, but the California Public Utilities Commission's proposal makes clear it can only do that "as a measure of last resort."

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2019

AEE: Advanced energy industry revenues grew to $238B in 2018

Transportation electrification and building efficiency dominated revenue growth last year, increasing $25 billion over 2017.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 29, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

Use it or lose it: The once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the US electric grid

Who should be responsible for developing, owning and operating the energy resources that replace uneconomic coal and nuclear generation: rate-regulated utilities or independent, competitive developers?

By Todd Glass and Heather Curlee • April 29, 2019

New York allocates $280M for energy storage projects as state targets 3GW by 2030

The state will provide $280 million in incentives for energy storage project in an effort to become the nation's leader in storage system deployment.

By HJ Mai • April 29, 2019

As California utilities falter, legislators, governor back 'tower of finance' solution to wildfire costs

Climate change-driven catastrophic wildfires are keeping California's utilities from protecting ratepayers and supporting climate goals — layered financing may allow both.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 26, 2019

Indiana regulators reject Vectren gas plant over stranded asset concerns

The unexpected order in a fossil-friendly state is another ding against the utility megaprojects that used to define the sector. 

By Gavin Bade • April 25, 2019

Oregon directs utilities to show plans for accelerating transportation electrification

Oregon has aggressive clean transportation goals to complement its renewable portfolio standard, but the state's utilities will need to do some work to meet them.

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2019

DC's transit agency announces Energy Action Plan

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority aims to create the country's first LEED certified transit station, among other initiatives.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 24, 2019

New York targets 1.5 TWh of new renewables with latest solicitation

The procurement is expected to net sufficient resources to power 200,000 homes and spur over $1 billion in private investment, while helping the state meet a 70% renewable standard by 2030.

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2019

Pennsylvania PUC Commissioner blasts state's nuclear bailout bill

The commissioner said the expected cost increases are unjust given that only one nuclear plant in the state is currently experiencing financial troubles.

By HJ Mai • April 24, 2019

Pruitt coal saving plan fails as Indiana regulators tee up Vectren gas plant order

A coal mining company hired the former EPA head to stop Indiana's transition from coal to gas and renewables, but utility and business interests balked at the effort.

By Gavin Bade • Updated April 24, 2019

PNM, Avista commit to carbon-free goals on heels of state mandates

The utility commitments mark a growing alignment between state legislators and power providers in the push for cleaner generation.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 23, 2019

PG&E asks for higher ROE to fund wildfire safety upgrades

The utility says a higher return on equity is essential to attract investors, but its proposal would raise average residential electric rates by 7%.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2019

Ohio governor signals support for nuke bailout as FirstEnergy files new bankruptcy plan

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine didn't comment on a pending financial support bill, but said Ohio can't "dramatically reduce carbon ... without nuclear."

By Gavin Bade • April 23, 2019

New York updates distributed solar tariff, clearing path for 1 GW of new generation

Changes to the state's Value of Distributed Energy Resources tariff aim to improve methods for calculating and compensating community resources, including extending net metering to projects under 750 kW.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2019

New Jersey approves up to $300M in annual nuclear plant subsidies, despite profitability claims

The subsidy is intended to keep nuclear power competitive, and comes amid a U.S. Supreme Court decision to not take up a legal challenge against similar nuclear support programs.

By HJ Mai • April 23, 2019

Virginia entry to regional GHG initiative blocked as governor declines to veto budget language

The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board adopted new regulations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, moving the state a step closer to joining the Regional Greeenhouse Gas Initiative.

By Robert Walton • Updated May 3, 2019

Utilities, charger vendors find interconnection best practices to propel EV growth

Collaboration and transparency pioneered in solar interconnections can fast-start delayed transportation electrification ambitions.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 22, 2019

Indiana coal miner hires ex-EPA head Scott Pruitt to lobby against plant closures

Utilities plan to move from coal to natural gas and renewables, but Hallador Energy wants a pause written into the state budget after lawmakers defeated a similar proposal this month.

By Gavin Bade • April 22, 2019

Nevada passes bill for 50% renewables by 2030, 100% carbon free by 2050

The legislation unanimously passed the state Senate and Assembly last week and will include all electricity providers in the state.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 22, 2019

NYC passes sweeping 'Climate Mobilization Act'

The legislation calls for cutting buildings emissions, installing green roofs and moving the city toward shutting its 24 natural gas-fired power plants.

By Chris Teale • April 22, 2019

FERC approves LNG terminals as anti-fossil protestors scale headquarters

Both sides say climate change is a 'crisis' — but have divergent strategies to address it.

By Gavin Bade • April 18, 2019

Court orders EPA to overhaul toxic power plant wastewater regulations

A federal appeals court said that the agency acted arbitrarily in requiring that power plants use wastewater treatment technologies dating back to 1982.

By HJ Mai • April 18, 2019

States' rights, states' wrongs: Where should we draw the line on intervention in power markets?

While states are facing pushback from market proponents and competitive market administrators, the Supreme Court recently denied petitions to review state policies targeted at forestalling closure of zero-emission nuclear plants.

By Michael Hogan • April 18, 2019

Utilities flee UARG as Congressional Dems tee up probe into lobbying group

Decisions from seven major utilities to leave the lobbying group show their resource choices may be changing their public policy agendas. 

By Gavin Bade • April 17, 2019