Xcel solicitation returns 'incredible' renewable energy, storage bids

Bids for wind and solar energy combined with battery storage could be the lowest yet, analysts said on social media. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2018

Predictions 2018: Federal policies to dominate

What will 2018 bring to the power sector? Seven experts weigh in. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 8, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Virginia Sen. Kaine asks FERC to reconsider Mountain Valley, Atlantic Coast pipelines

The Democratic senator wants FERC to reconsider the controversial pipeline projects now that it has a full contingency of regulators. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2018

Minnesota regulators finalize carbon cost rules for utility procurements

The Jan. 3 decision sets a carbon cost range between $9.05 and $42.46 per ton in 2020 that utilities must use to analyze infrastructure decisions. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 5, 2018

Gas, not renewables, driving coal, nuclear woes; DOE labs show how much

The findings have important implications for DOE's proposal to provide cost recovery for coal and nuclear plants. FERC is expected to respond to that proposal on Wednesday.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 5, 2018

Federal appeals court hears arguments in Illinois ZEC case

The hearing came after a federal court upheld the ZEC program in the face of a challenge mounted by merchant generators. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 5, 2018

Winter storm to test Northeast grid as FERC tees up decision on DOE grid rule

Forget coal piles: It's oil stockpiles that are keeping the lights on in New England this week.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 4, 2018

Maintaining a fair market through price formation reform

PJM’s market proposal may unfairly benefit expensive and inflexible power plants, ACORE President and CEO Gregory Wetstone writes.

By Gregory Wetstone • Jan. 4, 2018

Dominion-SCANA deal could rest on next move by South Carolina lawmakers

The deal is contingent on the usual regulatory approvals, but would require South Carolina lawmakers to step back from efforts to limit how much the utility can charge customers for the failed  V.C. Summer nuclear project.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 4, 2018

Why mandates still matter in the age of cheap renewables

Wind and solar are now competitive with legacy power resources, but analysts expect state RPS laws will continue to drive growth for both renewable leaders and laggards. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 3, 2018

New York clean energy proposal seeks 1.5 GW of storage, coal phaseout

The plan also calls for solicitations in 2018 and 2019 for 800 MW of offshore wind and new energy efficiency targets by April.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 3, 2018

Dominion, SCANA agree to $14.6B all-stock merger

If approved, the combined company would write off $1.7 billion in costs related to the abandoned V.C. Summer nuclear plant. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 3, 2018

Energy storage safety set to move forward in 2018 with new fire standards

New York City and the National Fire Protection Association are developing new safety standards, while UL is updating the world's first such requirements.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 2, 2018

New tax code means big rate changes, uncertainty for power sector in 2018

The tax law includes breaks for utilities and spared renewable energy deals, but critical details for other sector players remain up in the air.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 2, 2018

EPA issues clean air designations, Northeast states sue over cross-border pollution

States and environmental groups previously filed suit against EPA for missing a key October deadline on ozone and SO2 enforcement.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 2, 2018

After photos of Perry meeting, Bob Murray says he 'never proffered' grid resilience rule to DOE

Photos published earlier this month show the coal mining CEO handing over an "Action Plan" to Secretary of Energy Rick Perry that resembles the DOE's eventual proposal to subsidize fuel-secure generators.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 28, 2017

Could rate design help California's struggle with flat demand?

The commercial and industrial sector could be the front line for rate design experimentation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 27, 2017

Updated: Trump approves GOP tax overhaul bill

Utilities stand to benefit, renewables dodged a bullet and nuclear energy was left out in the cold as Republicans finalized their tax rewrite. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 22, 2017

Has Xcel Minnesota designed the ideal residential time-of-use rate?

The pilot program, to determine if price signals can get customers to shift energy usage away from peak times, has garnered wide acclaim. The main concern? it doesn't start soon enough.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 22, 2017

FERC announces pipeline review, cyber, fast-start reforms in McIntyre's first open meeting

The new FERC head also said he does not "envision" asking for another extension on the Department of Energy's subsidy proposal for coal and nuclear plants. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 21, 2017

Updated: Vogtle nuke gets unanimous approval to continue construction

Georgia Power also sought approval of $8.9 billion to complete the project, but the PSC lowered that amount by $1.7 billion. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 21, 2017

New FERC chair wants to make agency more transparent

Kevin McIntyre, new chairman of FERC, said the agency will ensure other important issues will not slip despite the hefty attention to DOE's cost recovery rule. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2017

UPDATED: New York advances efficiency plans, focusing on load control and demand management

State regulators recently approved an expanded budget for Consolidated Edison's HVAC control program, and the New York Power Authority has approved contracts with firms to provide efficiency and energy technology services.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2017

NOPR, nukes and taxes: The top 10 Utility Dive stories of 2017

It's been a frantic year of energy news. Here's a recap of what Utility Dive readers found most important.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 20, 2017

Demand charges or 'efficiency rates'? EEI wants a wording change

A Powerpoint obtained by the Energy and Policy Institute shows trade group Edison Electric Institute suggesting utilities call controversial demand charges "efficiency rates."

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 20, 2017