McIntyre praises Perry, previews pipeline review and PURPA reform

The chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission says he is a "big fan" of the Secretary of Energy.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 13, 2018

California regulators first to allow multiple revenue streams for energy storage

The state has approved rules that increase the ways for energy storage systems to make money, for example, through frequency regulation, capacity or spinning reserve services.        

Feb. 13, 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

New Massachusetts bill seeks 1.77 GW storage target, quicker renewables transition

The legislation would also direct state regulators to develop rules that exceed those adopted by the United Nations Paris Climate Agreement.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2018

Is the third pillar of electricity delivery preventing the building of the first two?

Utilities and distributed energy resource advocates agree the grid needs new technologies to serve 21st century demand, but they differ over what upgrades should come first and what they should cost.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 13, 2018

Trump seeks 2-year deadline for infrastructure reviews in new plan

A new legislative outline would roll back EPA authority over environmental impact statements and set a new, shorter statute of limitations on permitting decisions. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 13, 2018

Powelson: Input from PJM, ISO-NE states critical to FERC resilience docket

Any proposal that does not include input from states in those markets "will not garner any support," Powelson said at the NARUC Winter Conference on Monday.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 12, 2018

Trump budget would gut EPA, DOE renewables office

The budget would cut the DOE renewables office by 65% and eliminate ARPA-E and the agency's loan programs. EPA would be cut by nearly a quarter. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 12, 2018

At NARUC, three actions to support the grid of the future

A group of solar companies and advocates lay out out what utility commissioners should consider during NARUC's annual winter meeting

By Anne Hoskins; Abigail Hopper; Tom Starrs; Thomas Plagemann; Sachu Constantine • Feb. 12, 2018

APS to install 50 MW, 135 MWh solar-shifting battery

The contract with developer First Solar will allow APS to use the battery to deliver solar power when electricity use is at its peak, 3-8 p.m. each day.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 12, 2018

Is PURPA done? New bill takes aim at law's mandatory purchase obligation

The law has been under fire for much of its 40-year history, but changes proposed in November could be the most significant yet.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 12, 2018

Rate design for a DER future: Designing rates to better integrate and value distributed energy resources

This is the third in an occasional series from Advanced Energy Economy that addresses how the power sector can successfully transition to a 21st Century Electricity System.

By Coley Girouard • Feb. 12, 2018

Utilities must ensure innovative grid technologies leave no customer behind

Broadbased benefits require regulators to commit to both getting the maximum value out of the new technologies and to ensuring that the value is available to all consumers.

By Richard Caperton and Robin Lunt • Feb. 9, 2018

Most PJM states oppose capacity repricing proposal

The grid operator, however, still plans to send the 2-part capacity auction proposal to its board for approval. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 9, 2018

Markets matter: US wind belt expands as more utilities do the math

The DOE NOPR and the tax overhaul bill initially threatened the continued growth of wind energy. But "ultimately, clean power emerged a winner on policy, again," Vestas Americas President Chris Brown writes.

By Chris Brown • Feb. 8, 2018

Energy tax credits in final budget deal

Despite previous opposition in the House, tax credits for nuclear energy, carbon capture and a variety of gas and renewable technologies are in the bill approved early Friday.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 8, 2018

Major DOE NOPR supporters skip rehearing requests at FERC

Coal and nuclear interests are instead looking to FERC's resilience proceeding and pricing reforms at regional grid operators to save their ailing plants. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 8, 2018

The 'small miracle' that may lead to California's net metering successor

Sooner or later, retail rate net metering must go, stakeholders agree. But solar advocates say later, while utilities say sooner, and therein hangs the tale.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2018

Energy tax credits included in Senate budget deal

Tax credit extensions for nuclear plants and a number of natural gas and renewable energy technologies are in the Senate package, but are likely to face opposition in the House.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 8, 2018

Court filings stave off Sabal Trail pipeline shutdown, for now

The D.C. Circuit was set to put the pipeline on hold this week, but last-minute filings from FERC and pipeline owners appear to have bought the project some time. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 8, 2018

China wants compensation for US solar panel tariffs as industry braces for job losses

A string of countries have started filing challenges at the World Trade Organization over a recent decision by the Trump administration to impose tariffs on solar equipment. China is the latest. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 7, 2018

AES prepares for layoffs at US utilities as part of wider restructuring effort

The energy company is pushing to shrink its carbon footprint and pivot to cleaner energy resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 7, 2018

Virginia Gov. Northam lends support to Dominion rate reform bill

The state Attorney General and consumer advocates oppose the bill, saying it would allow Dominion to charge customers twice for renewable energy projects. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 7, 2018

EIA: Low prices, rising production to boost gas generation through 2050

While natural gas grows the most on an absolute basis in EIA's projections, reaching 39% of U.S. energy production in 2050, nonhydroelectric renewable energy grows the most on a percentage basis.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 6, 2018

SMRs a 'game-changer' for troubled US nuke industry, DOE tells Congress

The U.S. nuclear industry is at a "tipping point" after years of "historic downward pressure," officials told lawmakers, but new, smaller reactive designs could be the sector's savior. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 6, 2018

Mississippi regulators approve Kemper settlement, affirming end to ratepayer recovery

The settlement, reached in December, will reduce the amount Mississippi Power can recover from ratepayers to $112.6 million. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 6, 2018