North Carolina, Tennessee seek comments on coal ash proposals

Utilities from both states were found to have groundwater contamination stemming from retired coal plants this year, showing levels of radioactivity higher than allowed under federal drinking water regulations.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 20, 2018

Generators, electric utilities spar over pipeline funding in FERC fuel security docket

Rebuffed by state decisions, utilities want FERC to allow them to charge electricity customers for new pipeline development. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 20, 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

Arizona regulators determine signatures valid on 50% renewables ballot initiative

The Arizona Secretary of State's office determined more than 70% of the signatures were valid on a petition supporting the ballot, but opposition can still challenge individual signatures.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 17, 2018

FERC allows limited construction to resume on Mountain Valley Pipeline

The decision bodes well for another major project stalled by a court challenge — the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 17, 2018

Ontario develops largest BTM storage system in North America

The system highlights opportunities for addressing Ontario's high demand charges.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 16, 2018

FirstEnergy takes reluctant step toward 3 nuclear plant closures

Still hoping for state support that would keep the plants running, the utility is planning to shutter two nuclear plants in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2018

Modernizing renewables mandates is no longer about the megawatts

While renewables mandates have been successful and cost effective, studies show evolving power systems should focus on decreasing peak demand and cutting emissions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 16, 2018

Glick 'at a loss' over FERC role in Trump coal and nuclear bailout

The Democrat commissioner said he has no knowledge of FERC's efforts to assist the Trump administration in supporting money-losing coal and nuclear plants, which the agency's chief of staff revealed last week.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 16, 2018

PacifiCorp, Sierra Club head to court over confidential coal fleet study

A study produced for Sierra Club concludes the utility could save nearly $700 million by shutting down 11 of its 24 coal units and replacing the power on the open market.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2018

Houston public safety team reflects on 3-day cyberattack simulation

The Jack Voltaic 2.0 exercise aimed to bring electric, water and telecom utilities to the same table to prepare for a coordinated cyberattack. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 16, 2018

PJM prepares new capacity repricing rule in response to FERC order

The RTO is considering a resource specific carve-out, or "ReCO," as an alternative to the minimum offer price rule that FERC rejected.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 16, 2018

Powering California's future: What role does natural gas play as we move toward nearly GHG-free electricity?

The core issue is that natural gas is present in the state's 2030 electric portfolio, even in the most aggressive emissions reduction scenarios, CPUC Commissioner Liane M. Randolph says.

By Liane M. Randolph • Aug. 16, 2018

California Senate appropriations committee takes up ISO regionalization bill

State policymakers have been pushing hard for a regional market that would encompass all the western states for years, but opponents have been pushing just as hard to kill the bill.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 15, 2018

PJM asks FERC to delay 2019 capacity market auction

If FERC cannot deliver a final decision on market reforms before January, the grid operator said it will need to delay its capacity auction from May to August of next year. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 15, 2018

Environmental regulatory rollbacks are no time for utilities to relax

Power plant operations and infrastructure are caught in the crossfire as NGOs and other parties challenge federal agency action through citizen suits, according to Schiff Hardin environmental attorneys.

By J. Michael Showalter and Ryan Granholm • Aug. 15, 2018

Indiana consumer advocate urges regulators to reject $900M Vectren generation plan

The state's Office of Utility Consumer Counselor says the utility didn't consider all alternatives to its plan to retire four of its five coal plants.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 15, 2018

PG&E's landmark energy storage projects snagged by pushback

The CPUC extended the approval process for the four projects after critics filed comments claiming the utility did not meet regulatory criteria.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 14, 2018

Lawmakers skeptical of Gov. Brown's plan to alter California wildfire liability rules

As wildfires continue to spread throughout the state, lawmakers hesitate to tackle legislation that could be construed as a bailout for electric utilities.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2018

Missouri court overrules regulators, finds PSC has jurisdiction over EV charging stations

By granting the state PSC jurisdiction over charging stations, the judge gave utilities a path to recover EV infrastructure investments from their rate base.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2018

Exit fee: Deciding the fate of California's utilities and customer choice movement

The future of California's biggest utilities may depend on how much customers have to pay to leave them. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Updated Aug. 16, 2018

Federal oversight board orders changes to PREPA budget

Puerto Rico's utility has until Wednesday to issue revised plans or risk the federal board imposing its budget.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 14, 2018

Newly-released emails spark transparency concerns among California regulators

The heads of state energy agencies have been secretly meeting to develop policy, the Union-Tribune reports, reminiscent of a scandal that brought down former CPUC Chair Michael Peevey.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2018

MISO plans storage market roles in response to FERC Order 841

Proposed rules would have two metrics for measuring energy storage capacity to help the resources participate in wholesale electricity markets. 

Aug. 13, 2018

FERC halts Atlantic Coast, clears 3 other pipeline projects in busy Friday

The decisions came hours before Republicans lost their one-vote majority on FERC. Until a replacement is confirmed, Democrats can deadlock agency votes. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 13, 2018

Nevada pushes distributed resource planning regulations ahead of ballot initiative

The Public Utility Commission proposed a rule to implement new state provisions for filing integrated resources plans, as support builds for front-of and behind-the-meter clean energy technologies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 13, 2018