Western RTO could save California $1.5B per year by 2030, report says

A full regional power market could create jobs and boost renewables, but some California stakeholders worry about impacts on the state's leading environmental policies.

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2018

NERC to beef up, prioritize cyber incident reporting under new rule

Current rules only require a cyber incident report if one or more reliability tasks have been disrupted or compromised. FERC directed the reliability nonprofit to expand reporting requirements under significantly broader scenarios.

By Robert Walton • July 20, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

DOE's Walker, Little under consideration for FERC seat, industry sources say

The DOE assistant secretary and the former Arizona regulator would likely be more loyal to the White House's energy priorities than outgoing Commissioner Robert Powelson, according to sources.  

By Gavin Bade • July 20, 2018

FERC approves gas pipelines as Powelson eyes exit

Chairman Kevin McIntyre says he doesn't expect a "raft of 2-2 votes" that could deadlock the agency until Powelson's replacement is confirmed. 

By Gavin Bade • July 19, 2018

DOE rolls out $2B loan guarantee program for renewable energy on tribal lands

Solar-plus-storage projects could be the focus of the DOE's new loan guarantee program.

By Peter Maloney • July 19, 2018

Report: DOE bailout for coal, nuclear plants could cost $34B

The new analysis completed by Brattle does not include any potential impacts of the government's purchase on competitive markets. 

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2018

Rise of net zero energy homes could boost utility-led community solar

Modeling of new energy-efficient home developments found community solar offers system advantages not available from rooftop solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 19, 2018

Puerto Rico governor names new PREPA CEO, board members

The appointment of José Ortiz, a former PREPA board chairman and CEO of the island's state-owned water utility, raised concerns over political influence at the troubled utility. 

By Gavin Bade • July 19, 2018

Earliest New York will have carbon price is Q2 2021, NYISO says

The timeline outlined on Monday is intended to provide certainty to energy trading markets that are currently pricing power prior to the second quarter of 2021, the grid operator said.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2018

Trump administration weakens coal ash rule

The final rule loosens requirements for handling coal ash, allowing states flexibility that could save them more than $30 million annually. But environmentalists say much more is at stake.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2018

Report details 'bottom-up' climate strategies for cities, states

The America's Pledge report covers 10 opportunities for climate action, including expanding renewable energy and accelerating retirement of coal power.

By Jason Plautz • July 18, 2018

Transmission line is 'game changer' for AEP's $4.5B Wind Catcher, Texas PUC chair says

Texas regulators last week honed in on ratepayer risks and benefits of the proposed 2,000 MW wind farm and 360 mile transmission line.

By Peter Maloney • July 18, 2018

LaFleur: FERC unlikely to act on pipeline review before Powelson exit

Failure to rule on the docket before Powelson leaves could empower the two Democrats on the commission, who could deadlock FERC votes until a replacement is confirmed. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 18, 2018

APS spends $11 million to keep 50% renewables measure off ballot

The utility says it is concerned the measure would lead it to retire its Palo Verde nuclear plant early, an argument contested by environmental groups. 

By Gavin Bade • July 18, 2018

FERC climate policy faces new challenge at DC Circuit Court

Earlier this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission narrowly voted to restrict the consideration of climate change impacts in its review of pipeline projects.

By Robert Walton • July 18, 2018

PJM CEO: Grid operator will respond to FERC capacity market order within 60 days

The operator could ask federal regulators for an extension, but CEO Andy Ott said that would run the risk of not having changes in place before the next capacity market auction.

By Gavin Bade • July 17, 2018

PG&E projects set new bar for battery size but fall short on transparency

The California utility proposed energy storage to replace peakers, but comparisons are difficult without more data on costs.

By Peter Maloney • July 17, 2018

Exclusive: Powelson says no 'idle threat' to step down early from FERC

The outgoing federal energy regulator says he leaves with his reputation intact — “I never got a $50 room offer.”

By Gavin Bade • July 17, 2018

Massachusetts House approves study of mobile storage as grid resilience tool

Although it doesn't match the ambitious scope of the state Senate's energy omnibus, the Massachusetts House passed a bill last week advancing energy storage research and its applications.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 17, 2018

Has FERC's landmark transmission planning effort made transmission building harder?

An Obama-era rule to grow transmission for the power system’s transition to renewable resources has been called into question.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 17, 2018

Arizona regulators open first US transactive energy docket

Other utility reform dockets have considered elements of transactive energy, but the Arizona Corporation Commission is the first to address the issue in a specific proceeding. 

By Gavin Bade • July 17, 2018

Eversource asks regulators to reconsider Northern Pass transmission project, gas pipeline

The utility seizes the opportunity to bring two more projects to the table after the New Hampshire Supreme Court reversed a regulatory rejection of a new natural gas pipeline.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2018

New York regulators approve higher crypto mining rates for municipal utility

The Public Service Commission has ruled on cryptocurrency rates for the second time, as miners moved operations in the upstate region to take advantage of cheap hydropower.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2018

Hydro One turmoil prompts new look at Avista merger by Washington regulators

Ontario's new premier has pushed out Hydro One's CEO and board, sowing uncertainty for Washington's Utilities and Transportation Commission on Hydro One's merger with the small investor-owned utility.

By Peter Maloney • July 16, 2018

Make or buy for utilities: Putting services and capital investments on a level playing field

While the performance of regulatory options can vary, if a service solution is more cost-effective to meet a need, regulators should ensure that customers can benefit without punishing utility investors, AEE's Danny Waggoner writes.

By Danny Waggoner • July 16, 2018