California regulators prod utilities to start drafting roadmap to 100% clean energy

The sum of renewables procurements from California electricity providers is not enough to achieve the state's 2045 target, and regulators are struggling for solutions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 25, 2018

Longer lasting storage needs cheaper chemistries, MIT prof says

Market design and cheaper chemistries will be key to developing energy storage to support renewables, experts said at California ISO's Stakeholder Symposium.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 25, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

#UtilityDiveLive Twitter chat calls out utilities advancing DER

We partnered with the Smart Electric Power Alliance to talk about the opportunities and pitfalls of getting to the grid of the future.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 25, 2018

Beyond fuel security: Reliability, resilience and a more sustainable future through grid flexibility

Why the focus on fuel security when improving grid flexibility could achieve the aims of fuel security more cost effectively while modernizing and decarbonizing our grid?

By Jennie Chen and Kate Konschnik • Oct. 25, 2018

Trump names Chatterjee FERC chair

Outgoing Chairman Kevin McIntyre will step down from his post but remain on FERC as a commissioner, according to a letter released by the agency.

By Gavin Bade • Updated Oct. 25, 2018

Utilities worry FCC plan to open wireless spectrum could compromise communications

Making 6 GHz bandwidth available to unlicensed users could interfere with communications between utilities and their customers during emergencies, sector leaders fear. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 24, 2018

States, greens face off over PURPA implementation at FERC

Newly filed comments could help shape how FERC treats the 1978 law, the first to open power generation to competition.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 24, 2018

Puerto Rico considers move to 100% renewables, ending PREPA monopoly

The Puerto Rico House and Senate will hold a hearing this week to consider ending the monopoly status of the island's utility and generating 100% of its electric power from renewables by 2050.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 24, 2018

NV Energy looks to add 350 MW renewables, storage as state anti-monopoly vote approaches

The utility has said its addition of renewable energy resources is contingent on whether voters decide to eliminate electric power monopolies at the polls. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 23, 2018

New York energy storage: destination clear, road unsure

Stakeholders see different paths to reaching 1,500 MW of energy storage by 2025.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 23, 2018

Exelon CEO: Carbon price preferable to 'band-aid' nuke subsidies

Chris Crane said he would prefer a market-based climate solution to state resource subsidies and does not know the status of a White House bailout proposal for coal and nuclear plants. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 23, 2018

Virtual contracts drive a boom in corporate renewables procurement

As options for renewable energy purchase agreements grow, more businesses are coming into the market voluntarily.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2018

Environmental groups cite hurricane concerns in coal ash suit against EPA

The groups are suing Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler and the EPA in the context of an August ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals, which established previous Obama-era guidelines hadn't gone far enough in protecting consumers.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 23, 2018

Revival of Bellefonte nuclear project could rest with Memphis muni

Private investor Nuclear Development wants to revive a defunct TVA nuclear project, but it needs Memphis Light, Gas and Water to buy the electrical output.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 23, 2018

Report: Expected ruling on Summer cost recovery could imperil Dominion-SCANA merger

SCE&G wants to recover about $5 billion from ratepayers for the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project through the Base Load Review Act, which a judge is expected to overturn for being at odds with the state's constitution.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 23, 2018

Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Boston and DC join Bloomberg climate challenge winners

The four cities are the latest to win the American Cities Climate Challenge and will receive up to $2.5 million each to support climate mitigation efforts.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 22, 2018

New campaign will ask coal users to face the 'cold hard economic case' against them

With 150 GW of U.S. coal set to remain in service after 2020, the Rocky Mountain Institute aims to prove the resource is raising electricity costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 22, 2018

Even in Indiana, new renewables are cheaper than existing coal plants

Eliminating coal generation by 2028, and replacing it with renewables, storage and demand management, will be cheaper than keeping the plants online or converting them to gas, says Northern Indiana Public Service Co.

By Gavin Bade • Updated Oct. 25, 2018

Emails show Arizona regulator Olson copied utility talking points on rooftop solar

The revelation comes as Olson runs for reelection and utility spending booms in the fight over a 50% renewable energy standard.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2018

Alternative retail electric suppliers: A surge in consumer protection standards in Illinois

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is applying new and stronger consumer protection rules, stakeholder engagement and consumer education tools to evaluate the deregulated electric supply market.

By Sadzi Martha Oliva, Gerardo J. Delgado & Janel Haretoun • Oct. 19, 2018

McIntyre absent from second FERC meeting as concerns mount over health issues

The FERC chairman did not vote on any items in the commission's agenda Thursday, though he did vote at last month's meeting despite being absent. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 18, 2018

Can the price of rooftop solar keep falling?

"If prices keep dropping, [rooftop solar] adoption will continue and a smart utility CEO would watch the market and think about ways utilities can have some control over distributed resources," Yale's Kenneth Gillingham said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 18, 2018

Utility spending on major Republican groups outpaces Democrats over 2:1, EPI finds

NextEra Energy led utility contributions in 2017-2018 for three Republican organizations, spending $1.9 million, while PSEG Services, the top contributor on the Democratic side, gave $297,500.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 18, 2018

Protecting the grid from cyberattack: Cities on the front lines

The electric grid is increasingly part of our national security, and cities are at the forefront. But a revolution in technology and practice can make us all safer.

By Ken Boyce and Karen Weigert • Oct. 17, 2018

Where do smart cities need to improve? 7 industry leaders weigh in

While the power sector is a key point for innovation when it comes to electrification and smart tech, industry leaders at Smart Cities Week DC posited the focus rests on transportation, communications and other areas.

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale • Oct. 17, 2018