Powelson 'very nervous' about long-term reliability in ISO-NE

FERC Commissioner Robert Powelson expanded on his opposition to ISO-New England's two-part capacity auction proposal at a Washington energy forum on Wednesday. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 15, 2018

PG&E, Edison International investors welcome California pledge to update utility liability rules

Share prices of the two companies rose after Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders issued a plan to "protect all Californians from the threat of natural disasters and climate change."

By Peter Maloney • March 14, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Pruitt loosens NSR guidelines for modified plants

The move is intended to spur expansions of industrial plants, but environmental groups say it opens a loophole in the Clean Air Act for facilities to pollute more. 

By Gavin Bade • March 14, 2018

New York petitions EPA to force emissions reductions in 9 states

The state wants federal regulators to require power plants and large industrial sources to reduce emissions hurting its air quality. It is a longstanding fight for New York, which is suing the agency in a separate action.

By Robert Walton • March 13, 2018

Federal appeals court hears arguments in New York nuclear subsidy case

New York regulators argued their nuclear subsidies do not step into federal wholesale market jurisdiction. 

By Gavin Bade • March 13, 2018

FERC tries to thread the needle in debate over markets versus mandates

Is FERC destroying markets in order to save them, Montana Public Service Commission Vice Chairman Travis Kavulla asks.

By Travis Kavulla • March 13, 2018

Not so fast: Battery prices will continue to decrease, but at a slower pace, GTM says

Cost declines for storage systems will slow as raw material prices rise, but deployments will continue apace, according to GTM.

By Peter Maloney • March 13, 2018

Is a residential three-part rate the way to a modern grid or bad news for utility customers?

Utilities, DER advocates and policymakers found some consensus on principles but big differences on demand charges in a think-tank-led debate.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 13, 2018

FPL adds 40 MWh battery to solar array, claiming largest combined system

Florida Power & Light says it will dispatch the battery at the 75 MW Babcock Ranch solar farm when the plant's output dips or in times of peak demand.  

By Robert Walton • March 12, 2018

New Orleans City Council approves Entergy's 128 MW gas peaker

A trio of lawyers indicated they will challenge the 4-1 vote to advance the controversial project, alleging opponents were denied access to the meeting.

By Robert Walton • March 12, 2018

Northern Pass dealt fresh setback as siting board delays rehearing decision

The New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee is unlikely to decide whether to restart its review of Northern Pass before May, meaning Massachusetts could choose a different project to meet clean energy goals.

By Robert Walton • March 12, 2018

FERC chair discloses brain tumor, surgery, says he will continue work

Chairman Kevin McIntyre was diagnosed with a "relatively small" brain tumor last summer, he said in a statement, but received "successful surgery" and will continue to work full time. 

By Gavin Bade • March 12, 2018

Split FERC approves ISO-NE 2-part capacity market plan

The 3-2 vote reveals key differences in how FERC regulators view state energy policies, a crucial element in a number of issues now before the commission. 

By Gavin Bade • March 12, 2018

Are renewable portfolio standards on the way out? Three ballot initiatives say otherwise

Michigan, Arizona and Nevada could see major political fights over proposals to boost renewable energy standards. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 12, 2018

PJM pushes plant payment reforms as RTOs file resilience comments at FERC

PJM wants federal regulators to set deadlines for changes to plant compensation, stoking concerns of a low-profile bailout for uneconomic generators.

By Gavin Bade • March 9, 2018

New York announces $1.4B renewables funding as largest single state commitment

The money will go to 22 utility-scale solar farms, three wind farms and a hydroelectric facility, which will add almost 1,400 MW in renewable capacity to the state.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2018

Energy sector condemns Trump steel, aluminum tariffs

The duties on imported metal commodities will raise prices for power sector infrastructure projects, trade groups said, and could derail Trump's "energy dominance" agenda.

By Peter Maloney • March 9, 2018

Sempra nabs Texas regulatory approval to buy Oncor

After numerous rejections, Oncor finally has a suitor that satisfies the state Public Utility Commission. Sempra hopes to close the sale this year. 

By Robert Walton • March 8, 2018

DOE pushing small modular coal plant development

By 2022, DOE wants to design at least two small-scale coal plants with "flexible operating capacity," according to its budget justification. 

By Gavin Bade • March 7, 2018

All in or half there: Maryland Legislature debates two different RPS bills

Lawmakers are debating two bills that would raise the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard to 50% or 100%. Analysts say the 50% increase will likely muster more support than the other measure. 

By Peter Maloney • March 7, 2018

NRC chair outlines reforms for advanced reactor reviews

NRC will develop new processes to review non-light water nuclear plants, such as small modular reactors, and help industry develop new standards, Chairman Kristine Svinicki said. 

By Gavin Bade • March 7, 2018

Puerto Rico regulators, federal oversight board wrestle for control of PREPA

Puerto Rico's utility regulators say the Financial Oversight and Management Board is trying to wrest control of the island's utility and its energy future.

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2018

Co-op, muni, clean energy groups target capacity reforms in FERC letter

Any reform to capacity markets should prevent over-procurement of generation resources, the groups wrote, while also ensuring clear responsibilities for resource adequacy. 

By Gavin Bade • March 6, 2018

The flip side of FERC's landmark storage order: A call for states to take action

State action will be essential to reach the full potential of FERC Order 841, The Brattle Group says in a new report.

By Peter Maloney • March 6, 2018

Tackling the perverse incentive: Utilities need new cost recovery mechanisms for new technologies

If utility regulators change key accounting rules, utilities could ratebase contracted cloud computing and DER services, cut customer costs and benefit stakeholders.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 6, 2018