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

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

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

Millstone nuclear plant is profitable, new Connecticut draft report says

However, Dominion says the report fails to reflect the "true financials" of the nuclear facility, which it said would have to retire absent any economic incentives. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 19, 2017

No mention of coal in Chatterjee's FERC financial report

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's latest financial management report identifies goals that focus on natural gas and hydropower projects, but coal is conspicuously absent from the document.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2017

Groups petition Congress for stand-alone energy storage tax credits

The Energy Storage Association and 36 others want storage to be eligible for the Investment Tax Credit whether deployed alone or paired with any type of generation.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 18, 2017

EPA seeks comment on replacement for Clean Power Plan

The agency on Monday issued its Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on how it should replace the Obama-era climate rules. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 18, 2017

How the GOP tax overhaul could affect the power sector

Congress is expected to vote on tax legislation this week. Here's a cheat sheet for what it means for your industry and more.

By Industry Dive Staff • Dec. 18, 2017

Trump touts deregulation as DOE reorganizes agency

Under The Department of Energy's reorganization plan, the current office of Under Secretary for Science and Energy will be separated into two under secretary positions.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2017

Path to zero carbon: Navigating the urban energy transformation

The emerging Urban Energy Cloud vision is of a smart city that integrates large- and small-scale energy initiatives and solutions, citywide improvements in energy efficiency and low carbon transportation.

By Eric Woods • Dec. 18, 2017

Montana solar advocates sue PSC for slashing rates to small renewable developers

Three groups are suing the state's Public Service Commission for cutting PURPA payment rates by 40%, saying the decision was arbitrary and a violation of Montana law.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2017

Updated: GOP includes BEAT fix, drops nuclear credits in tax bill

The final bill would allow companies to offset 80% of BEAT payments accrued due to energy tax credits, but renewable power interests are still concerned it could stifle wind energy financing. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 15, 2017

Energy tax credits appear safe as GOP tax bill speeds toward a vote

Incentives for wind and solar power are likely intact, analysts say, but credits for other energy technologies could end up in a separate bill. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 15, 2017

Finding efficiencies: Updating RTO stakeholder governance to meet emerging challenges

Enhancing bottom-up policy development by improving RTO/ISO stakeholder governance processes is preferable to a top-down policy like DOE's cost recovery proposal, Vermont Law School's Mark James and Kevin B. Jones write.

By Mark James and Kevin B. Jones • Dec. 15, 2017

Power play: How a small co-op wants to open Nevada's electricity market and own it

Valley Electric Association is taking on NV Energy and dreaming big.

By Daniel Rothberg • Dec. 14, 2017