A dangerous tipping point for New England's wholesale electricity market

The ISO, policymakers and other regulators need to develop a durable market that provides competitively-priced reliability in the region and enables states to meet their mandates, according to NEPGA president Dan Dolan.

By Dan Dolan • Sept. 5, 2018

States could save $16B annually through energy efficiency policies: report

The federal government's lack of action on efficiency standards is giving states opportunity to step up — a new analysis says energy efficiency policies could mean big savings for consumers by 2035.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Cybersecurity of the Grid

In addition to presenting opportunities for growth, AI is exacerbating cyber threats with more sophisticated malware that is easier than ever to build and deploy. The rise of distributed energy resources also creates more opportunities for attack. 

By Utility Dive staff

FERC lets PJM delay next capacity auction from May to August 2019

The decision likely indicates that the federal agency will not rule on capacity market changes for the nation's largest interstate power market before the end of the year. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 5, 2018

California's BTM energy storage moves forward, but is it good for the climate?

Legislators extended the state's self-generation incentive program, but regulators want to improve its GHG reductions.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 4, 2018

ISO-NE proposes market bridge to valuing fuel security

The grid operator wants to treat fuel secure resources as "price takers" in its next capacity auction, rejecting two proposed fixes from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 4, 2018

California approves bill to limit utility liability for wildfires, but not CAISO expansion

The state legislature wrapped up the 2018 session by passing bills on electric vehicle infrastructure, battery storage and critical changes for utilities on wildfire liability laws.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 4, 2018

Georgia Power to excavate two more coal ash ponds

The utility will be "completely excavating" two ponds at its Bowen and Branch coal plants, as part of its larger plan to close 29 coal ash facilities across the state. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 4, 2018

Arizona Supreme Court rules 50% renewables initiative will appear on ballot

A utility-backed opposition group says it will now focus on convincing customers to vote against the measure, which would set a 50% renewable portfolio standard.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2018

New Jersey regulators open docket to shape nuclear subsidies

The Board of Public Utilities must put a Zero Emission Credit program in place by next year under legislation signed by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2018

Cyberthreats require strengthened standards, increased government collaboration

Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Brien Sheahan and former FERC Commissioner Robert Powelson wrote about the importance of establishing cybersecurity compliance standards at the distribution level.

By Brien J. Sheahan and Robert F. Powelson • Sept. 4, 2018

Energy storage gets a boost as California legislature extends SGIP

Extension of the Self Generation Incentive Program ​program could help the growth of rooftop solar in California.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 31, 2018

Get ready for sticker shock on California's last-minute clean energy proposals

The state's well-intentioned ideas aiming to advance renewable energy would unfortunately commit Californians to resource decisions for the next 10 years and limit investment in lower-cost technologies.

By Barry Moline • Aug. 31, 2018

As Kentucky regulators reject smart meter plans, troubling trend continues for AMI

Kentucky Utilities and Louisville Gas & Electric "failed to provide sufficient evidence" that smart meters would benefit customers, regulators ruled last week.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2018

Two roads diverging: Pennsylvania lawmakers rethink their renewables mandate

A new plan for solar is pushing Pennsylvania lawmakers to rethink the state's energy sector and utilities are fighting for their share.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 30, 2018

EPA will open MATS rule for review despite utility objections

Most coal plants have already complied with the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards or shut down, but the agency's review could affect how it crafts regulations in the future.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 30, 2018

FirstEnergy to retire more than 4 GW of PJM coal plant capacity

The shutdowns would be the end of its Ohio coal fleet, but the generator said retirements could be "reversed or postponed" if the Trump administration moves to bail out the plants. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2018

FERC staff authorizes construction on Mountain Valley Pipeline

Democratic commissioners questioned whether staff should decide the stop order revision for the 300-mile pipeline.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 30, 2018

TVA shifts coal ash strategy in response to spill, Obama-era rule

The utility is moving away from "wet storage" which it says, in part, led to the Kingston plant coal ash spill in 2008. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 29, 2018

Newly-vacated hydro dam operation license creates quandry for Alabama Power

A U.S. Court of Appeals has vacated Alabama Power's license on seven of its dams, determining federal regulators did not adequately evaluate the environmental impact of the dams. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2018

Exclusive: Ohio PUC details utility reform roadmap in PowerForward initiative

The plan, a product of a year-long business model investigation, aims to create a level playing field for innovation on the utility distribution system.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 29, 2018

California passes landmark 100% clean energy goal

The bill headed to Gov. Jerry Brown's desk would direct state agencies to begin planning to supply 100% of retail electricity sales with carbon-free resources by 2045.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Aug. 30, 2018

Renewables push CAISO prices lower, threaten inflexible generation

A new report finds uneven price distribution in utility-scale solar disproportionately affects baseload generation, such as coal and nuclear. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 28, 2018

Colorado approves Xcel plan to retire coal, shift to renewables and storage

The plan will see the utility retire 660 MW of coal power and invest $2.5 billion in renewable energy, part of Xcel's "steel for fuel" strategy.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 28, 2018

FERC says SCE can't treat storage customers differently in service

Southern California Edison sought authority to curtail electricity service to storage customers first during times of peak demand, but FERC said that would be "unduly discriminatory."

By Gavin Bade , Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 28, 2018

California passes bill to coordinate EV charger planning

The bill would grant authority to the California Energy Commission to assess charging infrastructure build-out in an attempt to meet the state's ambitious EV goals.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 28, 2018