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

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

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

SEU 2019 survey: Uncertainty mounts in the clean energy transition

Utilities are still moving to a cleaner, more distributed power system, but our annual survey shows they are increasingly unsure about what types of regulation and market structures they want to foster the transition.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 26, 2019

Designing Liberty Utilities' New Hampshire residential storage program

A closer look at the decision to pair distributed energy storage with time-of-use rates.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 25, 2019

Enabling storage integration through market-driven procurements

Early renewables procurements that reverse traditional auctions with one utility buyer and multiple renewables-plus-storage sellers have lowered storage costs and grown capacity.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2019

Massachusetts house speaker introduces plan to allocate $1B for efficiency, renewables

The plan would give communities easier access to funds to install energy storage, solar grids, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and more.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 25, 2019

LaFleur, Chatterjee pledge no 'prejudging' of LNG exports after Calcasieu Pass compromise

The two regulators clashed Thursday over Chatterjee's statement that a climate change compromise for the Louisiana LNG facility could pave the way for more export approvals in the future. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 22, 2019

Missouri regulators open docket to tackle EV infrastructure

The move from the Public Service Commission comes after an appeals court ruled utilities can recover their investment for electric vehicle chargers.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 22, 2019

FERC reaches 'breakthrough' compromise to approve LNG export facility

Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur joined FERC's Republicans in a climate compromise that could pave the way for a dozen more LNG export terminal approvals. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 22, 2019

Seattle mayor proposes EV readiness requirement for all new buildings

Jenny Durkan said they should be equipped for EV charging, and a certain number of new parking spaces must have the wiring and outlets to be ready for chargers.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 21, 2019

APS to install 850 MW of storage, 100 MW of solar in major clean energy buy

The utility also signed a seven-year contract for natural gas peaking capacity, which it hopes will be replaced by renewables and storage in the mid 2020s. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 21, 2019

EPA: Carbon emissions from power plants rose in 2018 amid higher electricity demand

The report is the second in as many months to forecast a reversal of years of emissions cuts from the U.S. power sector.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 21, 2019

De-energize and DERs: The tough options wildfires pose for California utilities

California IOUs’ wildfire mitigation plans will cost billions and take years, but distributed generation can give customers power during protective shutoffs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 20, 2019

Supreme Court Clean Water Act case could have big impact on coal ash disposal

A case, which the High Court accepted Monday, regards whether pollution that travels through groundwater is subject to the federal law — a key issue for utilities operating coal ash facilities.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 20, 2019

EPS Ep. 7: Demystifying the Green New Deal with Greg Carlock

The Data for Progress research director says non-renewable resources and market-based policies can have a role in a Green New Deal — as long as they serve the aims of deep decarbonization and economic justice. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 20, 2019