Hawaii launches performance-based rate proceeding to drive renewables

The state has a goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2045. The Public Utilities Commission's new effort is meant to support that transition.  

By Peter Maloney • April 20, 2018

South Carolina vote to lower electric bills could imperil Dominion-SCANA deal

Lawmakers are closer to cutting rates for SCE&G customers, who are paying for the failed Summer nuclear project, but differing House and Senate approaches need to be reconciled.

By Robert Walton • April 19, 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

Nevada's retail choice battle will greatly impact solar, everyone agrees. But for better or worse?

Nevadans will vote in November on whether to amend the state's constitution to minimize regulations, eliminate legal monopolies and create retail choice in its energy market.  

By Herman K. Trabish • April 19, 2018

Xcel first utility to get FAA approval to run inspection drones beyond line of sight

The company will use drones to survey transmission lines near Denver. Once that's complete, it will work with the FAA to extend similar operations to other states in its territory.

By Peter Maloney • April 19, 2018

Alliant heading to 30% wind capacity in Iowa as regulators approve another 500 MW

The Iowa Utilities Board is allowing Alliant subsidiary Interstate Power and Light to earn an 11% return on equity on the new wind projects.

By Peter Maloney • April 19, 2018

Chatterjee opposes MOPR as 'standard solution' for state policies

The announcement makes clear a majority of FERC regulators oppose the "standard solution" provision likely to impact the evaluation of PJM's capacity market proposals. 

By Gavin Bade • April 19, 2018

Line fault again plunges Puerto Rico into blackout

While nearly all the island's generation is back online after Hurricane Maria, the grid that supports it remains fragile and PREPA lacks sufficient reserves to resist minor disruptions. 

By Gavin Bade • April 18, 2018

New Hampshire governor's energy plan leans on nuclear, gas

The new plan by Gov. Sununu aims to diminish the cost impacts of renewable energy procurement by neighboring states, assuming those contracts will be above market rates.

By Peter Maloney • April 18, 2018

FERC chair takes up coal lobby line on plant retirements

Chairman Kevin McIntyre told House lawmakers he is concerned entire resource categories could "go the way of the dodo bird." It's a line common among the coal and nuclear lobbies, and few others. 

By Gavin Bade • April 17, 2018

State-federal concerns could dim FERC's landmark storage order

Wider access to a variety of markets has been hailed as the basis for energy storage growth, but jurisdictional issues could thwart an overarching solution.

By Peter Maloney • April 17, 2018

Exelon, FE nuke closures would reverse PJM wind, solar benefits: Brattle report

Closing four plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania would harm the environment and raise electricity costs for consumers, a recent analysis finds.

By Peter Maloney • April 17, 2018

EPSA rails against FirstEnergy emergency request, New Jersey nuke subsidies

The trade group for independent power plant owners argues both requests amount to unnecessary bailouts for failing power plants.  

By Gavin Bade • April 16, 2018

NGOs challenge New Orleans regulatory plan, Entergy peaker

The New Orleans City Council approved Entergy's proposed gas plant earlier this year, but environmental advocates say the City Council failed to examine "more benign" alternatives, like renewable energy. 

By Peter Maloney • April 16, 2018

Oregon's chief utility regulator resigns abruptly

Lisa Hardie, appointed in 2016 by Gov. Kate Brown to the Public Utilities Commission, didn't give a reason for her resignation. She will be replaced as Chair by Megan Decker.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2018

New Jersey passes bills for nuke subsidies, 50% RPS, 2 GW storage target

Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is expected to sign the measures, but proposed reforms to PJM's capacity market make the nuclear subsides' impact on wholesale power prices unclear.

By Gavin Bade • April 13, 2018

US led surging global energy storage market in 2017, GTM says

While the U.S. remains the leader in energy storage deployments, with 431 MWh out of a global total of 2.3 GWh in 2017, China is rising quickly into second.

By Peter Maloney • April 13, 2018

Senate confirms coal lobbyist Wheeler as EPA No. 2

Andrew Wheeler was present for preliminary meetings last year that led to the crafting of the Department of Energy's controversial plan to bail out coal and nuclear plants. 

By Gavin Bade • April 13, 2018

Perry: Emergency order for coal, nukes is 'exactly what has to happen'

The Secretary of Energy told a House committee Thursday emergency action to save coal and nuclear plants is necessary, though he stopped short of committing to a particular action. 

By Gavin Bade • April 12, 2018

How much are tariffs holding solar back?

Solar is maturing into a least-cost, best-fit resource for utilities and customers while facing down challenges with plunging costs and new grid services.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 12, 2018

Mitsubishi subsidiary seeks permits for $1.5B gas plant to send power to NYC

Diamond Generating is proposing a 1,200 MW plant in New Jersey's Meadowlands — an area close to major markets for electricity, but also environmentally sensitive.

By Peter Maloney • April 12, 2018

Utilities, DER providers face off over market access at FERC meeting

Grid operators and utilities want to ensure that new distributed resources do not threaten reliability, while DER providers are wary they will use the argument as an excuse to stifle competition.

By Gavin Bade • April 12, 2018

DC Council bill would establish US's first independent DER authority

The authority would have the power to review any utility investment over $25 million to see if non-wire alternatives could meet grid needs less expensively. 

By Gavin Bade • April 11, 2018

MISO states push for authority over DER in electricity markets at FERC meeting

The states want to be able to choose whether they allow distributed resource aggregations to play in both retail and wholesale markets.  

By Gavin Bade • April 11, 2018

Residential storage faces sunny prospects this year

Pairing storage with rooftop solar could boom if interest translates into action.

By Peter Maloney • April 10, 2018

Three things consumers want from electricity providers

Utilities are working to improve the customer experience, but what do consumers really want? Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative's Patty Durand explores.

By Patty Durand • April 10, 2018