6 months after target adoption, Massachusetts sees energy storage growth, challenges

Hurdles remain in integrating the technology in the state and into the wider ISO New England.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 23, 2018

Getting to 'head-spinning' low prices for U.S. offshore wind

Projected additions to U.S. offshore wind capacity are expected to drive the emergence of the domestic support system the sector needs to drive prices closer to other generation options.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Puerto Rico governor moves to privatize utility PREPA

The nation's largest public utility, long beset by underinvestment and mismanagement, has been under fire for its response to Hurricane Maria.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 23, 2018

Trump issues 30% tariff on solar panel imports

The Trump administration issued a 30% tariff on crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules and cells, which will decline over a four-year span.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 22, 2018

FERC approves PennEast pipeline in 4-1 vote, Glick dissents

Pipeline owners aim to start construction this year, but still must obtain environmental permits from New Jersey, where local sentiment against the project remains strong. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 22, 2018

Virginia lawmakers seek to end Dominion rate freeze

The bipartisan effort would also return some funds to customers, due to the recent tax system overhaul and lower corporate rates.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2018

10 trends shaping the power sector in 2018

FERC turns to resilience, utilities embrace storage and renewables face new obstacles. Here's what we're watching in the year ahead. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 22, 2018

EPA, DOE and FERC continue operations amid government shutdown

These agencies have enough funds to continue operating for a limited time, but have set contingency plans should the shutdown drag out longer. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2018

Is cap and trade the climate solution? The jury's still out

California and New England are about to find out what the market-based mechanism for reducing emissions can really do.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2018

McIntyre: FERC ex parte rules 'worked perfectly' in FirstEnergy coal plant case

The FERC chair said after Thursday's open meeting he would speak to commission staff about the source of leaked information that led to an ex parte communication between a FirstEnergy lawyer and Commissioner Neil Chatterjee. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 18, 2018

ERCOT sets winter demand record, pushing prices above $2K/MWh

High prices are welcome news for generators, but analysts warn solar growth could depress such events in the future. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 18, 2018

Trump: Solar trade case decision coming 'pretty soon'

The president has until Jan. 26 to make a final decision, though he could delay it by 90 days. No one knows how Trump will decide, but based on his past and latest remarks, the sector is bracing for some kind of trade duty.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 18, 2018

Dominion CEO: SCANA deal off if cost recovery for Summer plant repealed

CEO Thomas Farrell told lawmakers if they alter the Base Load Review Act for existing projects, the defunct V.C. Summer nuclear project would be "SCANA’s management issue, not ours."

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 17, 2018

Why are the newest distribution system buzzwords 'hosting capacity analysis'?

To meet customer demand for distributed energy resources, utilities need to know what their systems can handle.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 17, 2018

PJM to push capacity repricing at FERC, eschewing expanded MOPR

PJM staff will ask their board next month to approve a two-stage capacity market plan and send it to federal regulators, excluding consideration of an alternative proposal pushed by its independent market monitor. 

By Robert Walton , Gavin Bade • Jan. 17, 2018

Chatterjee 'under no illusion' that FERC resilience docket will end after 90-day timeline

The former chairman's comments may disappoint coal and nuclear backers, who want quick pricing changes in wholesale power markets following FERC's decision to reject a DOE subsidy proposal. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 16, 2018

Renewable plus storage bids in Xcel Colorado solicitation could set low-price benchmark

Preliminary results from the company's all-source RFP have been hailed as "really impressive." But a lack of details makes cost comparisons with current benchmarks challenging.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 16, 2018

Report: Coal generation decline continues in Montana

Coal-fired generating capacity only makes up 37% of the state's nameplate capacity — down from 55% in 2015. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 16, 2018

FERC rejects FirstEnergy attempt to move coal plant into cost recovery

The company sought to sell the Pleasants Power Station, struggling in the PJM electricity market, to two of its regulated utility subsidiaries in West Virginia. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 16, 2018

Puerto Rico governor calls for DOJ probe after power equipment stockpile found

Federal officials reportedly raided a warehouse last weekend, finding nearly 3,000 pieces of electric equipment that could be used to restore power on the island. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 12, 2018

EPA provides details on new listening sessions for Clean Power Plan repeal

Kansas City and San Francisco will have public meetings in February, along with Gillette, Wyo., in March. Meanwhile, some states are hosting their own meetings to hear comment over the proposed repeal of the Obama era regulation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2018

Moniz on DOE NOPR: 'No identification of a public good'

The former Secretary of Energy was "not surprised" by FERC's rejection of a coal and nuclear subsidy proposal, saying DOE failed to prove it would improve system resilience. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 12, 2018

New Mexico customers could be the first to see rate reductions as a result of lower corporate tax

But a group of attorneys' general are pressuring FERC to compel states to pass on the savings more quickly. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 12, 2018

EIA: Low gas prices set to drive decline in coal generation

Continued plant retirements will likely drive even more attention to pricing reform discussions at regional grid operators and FERC.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 11, 2018

Dominion-SCANA proposal shows shareholder gains, few ratepayer benefits, analysts say

Dominion’s $14.6 billion purchase offer may be the only one on the table for the beleaguered South Carolina utility, but is it good enough to get across the finish line?

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 11, 2018