PJM launches fuel security initiative to counter gas reliance

The initiative seeks to value attributes like dual fuel capabilities and onsite fuel supply, but critics say it is too narrow and similar to existing capacity performance rules. 

By Gavin Bade • May 1, 2018

New York grid operator floats carbon pricing proposal

All suppliers inside the New York ISO market would be subject to carbon charges, under the initial proposal. NYISO is designing rules to ensure imports compete fairly, too.

By Robert Walton • May 1, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

NuScale receives first phase design approval for small modular reactor

There are five more phases in the process, but NuScale says the first is the most rigorous and now expects the NRC to complete certification by September 2020.

By Peter Maloney • May 1, 2018

How big can New England's regional cap-and-trade program get?

The RGGI program has worked so well for its nine Northeastern member states that some say it's ready to go nationwide.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 1, 2018

PJM: FirstEnergy nukes can retire without reliability threat

The grid operator says three plants subject to an emergency bailout request at the Department of Energy can retire without putting electricity service at risk.

By Gavin Bade • April 30, 2018

Utilities, oil interests clash over EV policy at conservative policy summit

The battle at the American Legislative Exchange Council shows how utility interests are diverging from those of the oil and gas sector in an era of growing renewable energy and electric vehicles. 

By Gavin Bade • April 30, 2018

California fines PG&E $97.5M for improper talks in San Bruno pipeline case

It's the latest in a series of fines totaling more than $2 billion and related to the 2010 natural gas pipeline explosion, which killed eight and destroyed a neighborhood.

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2018

Illinois energy law revives renewables while aiding nuclear

The Future Energy Jobs Act is also expanding energy efficiency in the state, but the nuclear subsidies are being challenged in court.

By Peter Maloney • April 30, 2018

DOE gives $60M for advanced nukes, but industry wants better regs

There is growing interest in small modular reactors, but the licensing process must modernize along with the technology, according to a new Nuclear Energy Institute report.

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2018

Pruitt: EPA will seek 'comprehensive rule' to alter New Source Review

The agency's recently announced proposal to limit scientific input to its rules could influence how it rewrites NSR, which governs emissions from new and modified sources.

By Gavin Bade • April 27, 2018

The innovations just keep coming in the corporate-utility deal space

Utilities and corporate power buyers are finding new innovations in their collaborative efforts to drive the growth of renewables and cut emissions.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 26, 2018

Arizona utilities cautious over costs, reliability for proposed 80% clean energy mandate

Meanwhile, two competing ballot proposals would seek to amend the state's constitution to hit 50% renewable energy by 2050 — setting the stage for another political showdown in the state. 

By Robert Walton • April 26, 2018

PJM generators, DR providers clash over seasonal resources at FERC

Demand response providers say rules barring seasonal resources from capacity contracts are little more than an effort to boost market revenues for generators.

By Gavin Bade • April 25, 2018

Hawaii Gov. Ige signs law mandating performance-based utility regulation

The law goes further than other performance-based efforts, directing the PUC to "break the direct link" between utility revenues and capital investments.

By Gavin Bade • April 25, 2018

Cutting loose generation lifts earnings for FirstEnergy

The company's prospects also were bolstered by an agreement with creditors in the bankruptcy proceeding of subsidiaries FirstEnergy Solutions and FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating.

By Peter Maloney • April 25, 2018

New PUC regulator to take a seat as Hawaii forges ahead to 100% renewables

Jennifer Potter will replace outgoing state PUC Commissioner Lorraine Akiba, whose term expires in June.  

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2018

Understanding grid resilience implications for market design: Beyond the NETL study

Researchers at Resources for the Future and the R Street Institute offer an alternative approach to the recent National Energy Technology Laboratory study.

By Karen Palmer, Devin Hartman and Daniel Shawhan • April 24, 2018

Pacific Power analysis shows storage pilot projects currently uneconomic

Based on its projections, the utility estimates that energy storage has the potential to become cost effective in 2029.

By Peter Maloney • April 24, 2018

Performance-based regulation: How Minnesota is inching toward a new oversight model

As performance-based regulation goes before Minnesota’s regulators, stakeholders propose being "discerning" and "surgical" about its use.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 24, 2018

FERC Order 845 opens door a little wider for energy storage

The commission's order on interconnection agreements makes it easier to combine storage with generation

By Peter Maloney • April 23, 2018

Xcel pulls out of Mountain West in blow to SPP market expansion

The utility said it sees too many risks in the transmission group's plan to join the Southwest Power Pool, a regional electricity market. 

By Gavin Bade • April 23, 2018

FERC moves to shore up potential cyber vulnerabilities

Regulators approved revised standards that will primarily cover "transient electronic devices," such as thumb drives and laptops.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2018

California customer choice advocates, IOUs face off on departing load charge

As customers leave IOUs for new providers, commissioners must balance costs. Will they choose a new approach or a really new approach?

By Herman K. Trabish • April 23, 2018

FERC issues NOI seeking comments on gas pipeline evaluations

The NOI seeks comment on how FERC evaluates the need for pipelines, its use of eminent domain, the environmental impact of pipeline projects and the efficiency of FERC's permitting process. 

By Gavin Bade • April 20, 2018

DOE's Walker: National security assessment broader than grid reliability

The agency's interpretation of a national security risk will be central to its evaluation of coal and nuclear bailout proposals from FirstEnergy and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).

By Gavin Bade • April 20, 2018