Blue state AGs press McNamee recusal in resilience docket

Ten Democratic attorneys general said the proceeding "closely resembles" debate over the DOE coal bailout plan McNamee helped design — the standard FERC lawyers said may trigger a recusal recommendation. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 29, 2019

CPUC Commissioner: 'Creating a new risk evaluation paradigm' in the face of California's wildfires

"Utilities will now be required to evaluate risks in a much more transparent, uniform and quantitatively rigorous way," writes Clifford Rechtschaffen, a commissioner at the California Public Utilities Commission.

By Clifford Rechtschaffen • Jan. 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

EPA's Wehrum on whether climate is in crisis: 'I'm trying to figure that out'

The agency’s top air official cast doubt on the severity of climate threats to the U.S. and defended proposed changes to mercury regulations on power plants.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 28, 2019

An emerging push for time-of-use rates sparks new debates about customer and grid impacts

Momentum is building behind time-of-use rates, but longstanding doubts about whether they are fair remain unresolved, threatening new efforts.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2019

EIA: US far off track for global climate goals as fossil fuel reliance persists

The agency's Annual Energy Outlook projects the U.S. will cut economy-wide carbon emissions 2.5% by 2050 — far less than the level scientists say is necessary to stave off the worst impacts of climate change.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 25, 2019

Who wants to be a resilience millionaire?

The Department of Energy is adding a $1 million reward in what it describes as a "contest" to help improve the reliability and resilience of the U.S. bulk power system.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 25, 2019

Cal Fire concludes PG&E did not cause 2017 Tubbs Fire, sending shares soaring

Officials said a private electrical system caused the deadly fire, but the utility remains in financial jeopardy for its involvement in other blazes and is preparing to file for bankruptcy protection.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2019

NRC's new Fukushima-driven safety rules not designed for the 'real world,' critics say

The new rule aims to mitigate "severe events" at U.S. nuclear reactors, but the Union of Concerned Scientists says a key provision was removed before the Republican-led Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved it 3-2.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2019

Don't confuse energy favoritism with energy resilience

The Department of Energy has cited cyber and national security in a proposal to subsidize uneconomical power plants. Major General Bob Dees writes that this assertion is "dubious."

By Bob Dees • Jan. 24, 2019

PG&E, SCE, SDG&E pursue subscriptions, time-of-use rates to drive more California EVs

As regulators call for a more formal transportation electrification framework, the state's utilities are stepping up with pilot programs that address peak demand and rate concerns.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2019

Minnesota study finds it cheaper to curtail solar than to add storage

A report studies Minnesota's options for 70% renewable penetration and finds surprising results regarding energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 22, 2019

Gas outages hit 10K in Rhode Island after issue on Algonquin pipeline

Pipeline operator Enbridge reported an explosion on a pipeline that serves Algonquin earlier in the day, but later said the incidents were not connected. 

By Gavin Bade • Updated Jan. 22, 2019

New Jersey advances first community solar pilot to power 45K homes

State regulators approved the rules for what could evolve into a permanent community solar program of at least 225 MW over the next three years.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 22, 2019

Texas regulators direct higher plant payments amid capacity crunch concerns

Changes to the state's market rules will make prices respond more quickly during times of grid stress, boosting payments to resources that can provide emergency power. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 22, 2019

Pepco electrification plan anti-competitive, DC ratepayer advocate argues

The Office of the People's Counsel for the District of Columbia says the utility's proposal would be "detrimental to the competitive [electric vehicle] market" while also arguing the utility failed to justify why ratepayers should foot the bill.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2019

Navigating utility business model reform: A practical guide

Rocky Mountain Institute, America's Power Plan and Advanced Energy Economy Institute provide a guide to modernizing the electric utility business model. 

By Dan Cross-Call, Cara Goldenberg and Mike O’Boyle • Jan. 22, 2019

Bailout doubt – PG&E faces bankruptcy amid California's 'first climate change-caused emergency'

Stakeholders say few will benefit from bankruptcy, but alternatives have been dubbed "politically too hot to touch."

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 22, 2019

Texas regulators defer to legislature on utility ownership of energy storage

The state's market for energy storage is in limbo since regulators dismissed a request by AEP Texas last year to install two battery storage projects.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 18, 2019

Colorado Gov Polis' first executive order advances transportation electrification

The benefits of vehicle electrification will only increase as the state moves toward establishing a 100% renewable energy mandate, Polis said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 18, 2019

All Texas coal plants report toxic ash contamination as federal rules in flux

High levels of arsenic, boron, cobalt, lithium and other contaminants were found in groundwater surrounding the Lone Star State's 16 coal plants.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 18, 2019

Greens, consumer advocates split as Louisiana approves $1B Cleco plant deal

The Sierra Club touted a renewable energy and coal phaseout deal it struck with the utility as part of the acquisition, but the Alliance for Affordable Energy is concerned Cleco will move the fossil plants into cost recovery.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 18, 2019

Southern CEO: Georgia Power to consider resilience in IRP for first time

"Maybe you take coal plants out of service but you keep them alive in the event that you have a resiliency emergency," Tom Fanning told a Washington audience Thursday.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 18, 2019

New Hampshire regulators approve utility-owned residential Tesla battery pilot

Liberty Utilities will have the nation's second utility-owned, customer-sited storage pilot, with Tesla Powerwall 2 batteries for 500 customers and a time-of-use rate.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 18, 2019

FERC opens 3 pipeline rate probes as Chatterjee tables PJM political spending complaint

For the second month running, FERC declined to act on the highest-profile item on its meeting agenda, likely indicating disagreement among regulators.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 17, 2019

Trump signs bill streamlining advanced nuclear regs as Senate considers R&D funding

Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee grilled nuclear scientists about the impact of advanced nuclear reactors and the need to fund research for new manufacturing opportunities.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 17, 2019