VC Summer audit raised in Georgia hearings over fate of Vogtle nuclear project

Stakeholders questioned Southern Co. officials over why they failed to include in their testimony a 2016 audit of South Carolina's VC Summer nuclear project that revealed problems with construction. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 8, 2017

DOE NOPR reply comments focus on shaping next phase of FERC rulemaking

FERC regulators have indicated they are likely to make big changes to the DOE cost recovery proposal, and reply comments largely aimed to shape that next chapter of rulemaking.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 8, 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

Energy storage gets a bigger seat at the utility planning table

The growing inclusion of storage in integrated resource plans is, to some extent, the next step in the evolution of the technology at utility-scale.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2017

Puerto Rico oversight head urges Congress to reaffirm federal control over PREPA

PREPA could be fully or partially privatized if Congress reaffirms federal control over the utility, the head of Puerto Rico's Financial Oversight and Management Board told a House committee Tuesday.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 7, 2017

Uncertainty reigns in renewables sector as tax package, NOPR loom

At the RPS Summit in Arlington, Virgina, experts said the renewables sector is closely watching developments from a new tax reform package and the DOE's cost recovery rule. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 7, 2017

Federal report: It's 'extremely likely' that humans cause climate change

The report says there is "no convincing alternative explanation" for global warming over the last century.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 7, 2017

Regulators deny rehearing of FERC retirement policies

The New England Power Generators Association, Exelon Corp. and NextEra Energy Resources had asked FERC to reconsider a 2016 order they say changed how power plants set rates. Federal regulators disagreed with that assessment.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2017

Who needs a NOPR? 7 ways to make wholesale power markets more reliable

DOE wants to support coal and nuclear, but grid operators and experts say greater power system flexibility is what's needed.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 7, 2017

Energy storage could hit 35 GW by 2025, new white paper says

The technology only makes up 0.5 GW of market share in the United States. But that's set to change, according to a new white paper.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 7, 2017

House GOP energy leader joins Dems in criticizing DOE NOPR

Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX), vice chair of a House subcommittee on energy, joined a group of Democrats filing comments urging FERC to take a longer look at the DOE's cost recovery proposal.  

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 6, 2017

Moody's: Regulated utilities stable, but unregulated power sector outlook remains negative

Potential market reforms, such as the Energy Department's cost recovery proposal, could bolster coal and nuclear in the competitive markets, but delay closing uneconomic plants. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 6, 2017

South Carolina regulator steps down to work for Pepco

Nikiya Hall had been a member of the South Carolina Public Service Commission since 2010. She leaves as the state is dealing with the fallout of the botched VC Summer nuclear expansion.  

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2017

How Vistra's coal retirements could impact the Texas power market

Coal retirements are predicted to tighten reserve margins in ERCOT, but only time will tell if they will bring the higher prices fossil generators are looking for. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 6, 2017

Georgia regulators begin series of hearings over Vogtle nuclear project

Among the items on the agenda, regulators will examine documents that emerged showing that Georgia Power signed off on the blueprints for the reactors that were not approved by professional engineers.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 6, 2017

Massachusetts lawmakers press for law banning 'pipeline tax'

The state's highest court last year ruled electric utilities cannot ask their customers to pay for gas infrastructure. Now a majority of legislators want it codified into law.  

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2017

Puerto Rico utility regulators push back on feds in new court filing

The Puerto Rico Energy Commission wants a judge to clarify that the federal board that oversees the island's finances cannot overrule decisions from the regulators. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 3, 2017

Senate confirms McIntyre, Glick to FERC, filling commission seats

McIntyre is expected to become chairman of FERC just as the agency is set to tackle a Department of Energy proposal that could reshape federal power markets.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 3, 2017

House GOP tax package boosts nukes, slashes wind, EV credits

The long awaited tax package includes an estimated $6 billion credit for nuclear power but would cut the wind PTC and end incentives for electric vehicles.  

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 3, 2017

California ISO to increase reliability reviews of proposed plant shutdowns

The grid operator's board of directors also approved entering into a reliability must-run contract with the Metcalf Energy Center. The Calpine-owned facility may be offered a utility contract in 2018.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 3, 2017

Portland General to spend up to $100M for 39 MW of energy storage

The utility's plan will help it comply with Oregon's energy storage mandate, requiring major utilities to deploy a minimum of 5 MWh of energy storage by 2020.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 2, 2017

Army Corps. hurricane lead tells House he hasn't spoken with anyone from PREPA

Ret. Gen. Ray Alexander told a House subcommittee he has personally not spoken with any employees of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, but other members of the restoration team "collaborate with PREPA every day."

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 2, 2017

In new trend, utilities propose separate rate classes for solar customers without rate increase

Recent proceedings in Kansas, Iowa and Utah raise new questions about how best to deal with the impacts of solar on utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 2, 2017

PNM issues RFP for 456 MW of resources, pushing for renewables and storage

The utility announced earlier this year that it plans to phase out coal-fired generation completely, replacing it with natural gas, storage, solar and its stake in the Palo Verde nuclear facility. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 2, 2017

Northeast pipeline controversy exposes gas markets as 'a recipe for chaos,' researchers say

Contention over Eversource and Avangrid's pipeline scheduling practices shows that natural gas markets are "at odds" with reality, according to EDF.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 1, 2017

Ex-GOP FERC regulator: DOE NOPR 'a tax on customers' to benefit Murray, FirstEnergy

Former FERC Commissioner Nora Mead Brownell said the proposal is "all about" benefiting "friends" of the Trump administration — like the two coal firms that recently held policy conversations with the White House. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 1, 2017