Face the heat: Should EV incentives be restructured for battery degradation?

A new study advocates scaling electric vehicle incentives based on how quickly batteries wear out, but critics say it misses the bigger picture. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 28, 2018

Playing with wildfire: California lawmakers outline utility liabilities in new report

What can state legislators accomplish in the last days of voting regarding the exposure that investor-owned utilities face to wildfire damages?

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Aug. 28, 2018

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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

Vistra Energy to close small waste coal plant in PJM

The 51 MW plant in McAdoo, Pa., is in the heart of coal country but loses money and has a "negative financial outlook," according to Vistra Energy.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2018

Generators ask FERC to mandate capacity market for CAISO

California's market rules should be thrown out because they do not allow generators to recoup their costs, The Electric Power Supply Association said last week.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 27, 2018

Pollinator habitats: The bees' knees of rural solar development

Pollinator-friendly solar is a blossoming trend that saves maintenance costs and makes utility-scale solar more appealing to agricultural communities.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 27, 2018

Minnesota regulators unanimously reject Centerpoint's renewable natural gas program

The utility says it remains "committed to the importance of bringing a renewable natural gas option to our customers."

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated July 29, 2019

19 mayors commit to make all buildings net-zero carbon by 2050

The declaration precedes the Global Climate Action Summit, where leaders from around the world will be encouraged to collaborate on strategies for decreasing GHG emissions.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 24, 2018

Philadelphia sets path to reduce GHG emissions 80% by 2050

Other steps include initiatives to install rooftop solar and incentives for more efficient building thermal systems.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 24, 2018

PacifiCorp, Idaho Power agree to make CAISO their reliability coordinator

As the California grid operator draws closer to filing at FERC for approval of its Reliability Coordinator services, two more utilities have signed on following a commitment by the Balancing Authority of Northern California in July.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 24, 2018

New York unveils new toolkit to drive solar on brownfields

The procurement guidelines aim to spur community solar development on landfills and other underutilized land, advancing the state's 50% renewable generation goals.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 24, 2018

US Conference of Mayors condemns EPA Clean Power Plan replacement

Columbia, SC Mayor Steve Benjamin said cities "can’t do it alone" when it comes to tackling climate change, and urged more federal help.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 24, 2018

Are regulators starting to rethink fixed charges?

Fixed rate reductions in Q2 of this year may indicate regulators are more conscious of low and moderate income customers as well as investments in energy efficiency and distributed energy resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 23, 2018

Court ruling a setback for EPA efforts to undermine coal ash rule

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit concluded Obama-era coal ash rules, which the Trump administration seeks to weaken, did not go far enough to protect the environment.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2018

Dems question FERC over chief of staff role in coal, nuke bailout

Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Frank Pallone say statements made by FERC Chief of Staff Anthony Pugliese "call into question the impartiality and independence of the Commission."

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 23, 2018

Pennsylvania industrial energy users say follow Minnesota on rate design

As Pennsylvania considers sweeping changes to utility distribution rate structures, some of the state's largest customers are calling for regulators to move cautiously and utilize tools other states have developed.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2018

Tucson Electric proceeding lays groundwork for customer solar+storage rate

Residential solar advocates wonder what sort of solar-plus-storage rate can sweeten the deal for TEP customers in the "post net metering paradigm."

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 22, 2018

EPA's new ACE rule is a coal lifeline 'disguised as a GHG regulation,' critics say

Changes to the EPA's New Source Review process could allow coal plants to stay open longer — if operators choose them over cleaner technologies.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 22, 2018

California legislators smooth closure path for state's last nuclear plant

The state assembly approved legislation that clears the way for closure of Diablo Canyon, providing $350 million for an employee retention fund and $85 million to make up for lost property taxes, among other provisions.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 22, 2018

Duke moves to stop FirstEnergy Solutions from exiting Ohio co-op

Consumer advocates worry that a bankruptcy court decision allowing FES to withdraw from the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation, which operates a pair of coal plants, could raise prices for retail consumers.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2018

Smart meter readings are a valid 'warrantless search,' court rules

Smart meter opponents challenged the public utility of Naperville, Ill., over its data collection, which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit deemed as warrantless, but not unreasonable.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2018

EPA moves to replace Clean Power Plan with modest carbon regulations

The proposed Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule would require minor efficiency improvements at some coal plants and give states more latitude to set their own emissions standards.

By Gavin Bade • Updated Aug. 21, 2018

Lawmakers unlikely to give California utilities slack in wildfire liability rules, LA Times reports

State legislators are abandoning a proposal to reduce electric utility liability in instances where the company is not found to be negligent, hesitant to do anything that will look like a "bailout."

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2018

Updated NRC cybersecurity guidance highlights printers, copiers as hacker entry points

Attackers can use such devices as staging points to collect sensitive information, establish a persistent presence for later attacks or penetrate deeper into the defensive architecture, the commission says.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2018

BTM storage is booming in Ontario

A flurry of energy storage projects highlights opportunities for large industrial customers to reduce a costly rate structure established in 2005.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 20, 2018

Trump expected to roll out Clean Power Plan replacement this week

The modest emissions regulation could actually increase greenhouse gas pollution by allowing coal plants to run more often.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 20, 2018