House cuts wind power incentives, putting sector's fate in Senate hands

Analysts expect the production tax credit to escape tax reform efforts unscathed. But broader changes in both chambers' bills could have a mixed impact on the wind industry.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 20, 2017

Rhode Island grid mod plan to focus on renewables integration, cost control

The blueprint released by the state's energy agencies also focuses on customer choice, grid flexibility, new utility earnings models and increased reliability. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2017

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

PREPA director Ricardo Ramos resigns amid Whitefish contract scandal

The announcement comes just days after Ramos testified before a Senate committee as to how PREPA's contract — the subject of an FBI probe — was negotiated with the Montana-based firm. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2017

Virginia regulators approve draft carbon cap-and-trade plan

The draft regulatory package, approved unanimously by the State Air Pollution Control Board, would link Virginia with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and aim to cut power sector emissions 30% between 2020 and 2030.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 17, 2017

Does C-C-A spell the end of the regulated electric utility in California?

Alternative providers may deliver more than 85% of the Golden State's electricity by the mid-2020s, and there is a lot of uncertainty about how much they will be regulated.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2017

Chatterjee pans 'hyperbolic' reaction to his interim NOPR pitch

Chatterjee said his temporary plan means "we've moved past" debating the DOE NOPR, and that many critics of his proposal "frankly don't understand it."

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 16, 2017

US eyes safety rules for small modular reactors, as nuclear touted at UN climate meeting

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has released a regulatory basis document supporting new rules to tackle emergency preparedness requirements for small modular reactors.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2017

Texas, Pennsylvania commissions back to full strength after new appointments

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Arthur D’Andrea to the Public Utility Commission. And Norman Kennard will take FERC Commissioner Robert Powelson's seat left empty since August. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2017

PJM price formation proposal would dramatically change how prices are set in the RTO

A proposal from the grid operator to incentivize "inflexible" generation could fit squarely within the Trump administration's efforts to save baseload generation in power markets.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2017

Why tracker bankability reports aren't telling the whole story

Developers and EPCs now facing intense pressure to create sites with low upfront costs. 

Nov. 16, 2017

Exclusive: Chatterjee details interim plan to save coal, nuclear plants

The acting FERC chairman wants RTOs and ISOs to update their tariffs to keep coal and nuclear plants online as his commission considers broader changes to wholesale market compensation. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 15, 2017

Do utilities need rate design for electric vehicle charging?

A Massachusetts muni is using analytics and a traditional marketing approach to shift EV charging off-peak. Will it work for everyone?

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 15, 2017

PREPA CEO: Whitefish contract selected due to logistical issues with mutual aid

Ricardo Ramos joined Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló and others on Capitol Hill Tuesday, fielding questions on power restoration and utility reform in the territory. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 15, 2017

FERC storage/DER integration proposal gets high marks, but other priorities loom

The commission’s proposed rule raises important issues, but could face delays as it tackles the grid resilience NOPR and other matters.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 14, 2017

60-day clock starts for Trump to decide on solar panel tariffs

The International Trade Commission sent recommendations to President Trump in a controversial trade case over import relief for foreign-made solar panels.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 14, 2017

Cost reductions, customer satisfaction and vision are key to achieving Operational Excellence for the Next Generation Utility

Utilities across the U.S. are faced with the need to reduce costs to provide rate stability, while improving reliability and enhancing the overall customer experience.

By Scott Sidney • Nov. 14, 2017

DOE confident FERC will 'dutifully' finalize a price formation rule, senior advisor says

Sean Cunningham, head of the DOE's Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis, told the NARUC annual conference that baseload power should be "revived, not reviled" in the U.S.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 14, 2017

As feds focus on baseload, grid modernization is sweeping the nation

More than 30 states are considering far-reaching modernization and utility business model reforms, including new initiatives to integrate battery storage into grid planning processes. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 14, 2017

Federal judge rejects outside oversight for Puerto Rico utility

The federal oversight board for Puerto Rico had sought to appoint a "chief transformation officer" for PREPA with all the powers of a CEO.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 14, 2017

This is a test: How NERC plans to up the stakes for this year's GridEx disaster exercise

This week, more than 5,000 people will participate in a simulated attack on the North American grid in an effort to prepare for what some see as an inevitability.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2017

Voters ensure Boulder's muni quest will continue

A surprise turn in ballot counting will allow the city to spend $16.5 million over the next three years on Boulder's quest to take control of its energy supply.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2017

South Carolina lawmakers aim to reform utility regulatory model in wake of V.C. Summer disaster

Lawmakers in the state House of Representatives filed a suite of bills, including one that would authorize SCANA, one of the V.C. Summer owners, to give ratepayers a refund. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 13, 2017

US states, businesses highlight climate efforts at UN meeting in Bonn

"There is nothing Washington can do to stop us," former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said of the efforts.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2017

Senate confirms industry lawyer Wherum to lead EPA's air quality office

William Wehrum sued the Environmental Protection Agency more than two dozen times but will now serve as assistant administrator for agency's Office of Air and Radiation.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2017

Rhode Island lays out strategy for grid modernization

Gov. Gina Raimondo has directed the Public Utilities Commission and other agencies to develop a more dynamic regulatory framework aimed at advancing cleaner, affordable and reliable energy.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2017