Hawaiian Electric takes first steps to utility-scale commercial energy storage

The utility has big plans for the technology, but wants to see lower costs. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2017

PREPA forgoes mutual aid, opting for little-known contractor

By the time municipal utilities gathered to offer assistance to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, it had already signed on Montana-based Whitefish Energy to do grid repairs. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 10, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

New policy and business actions are giving a significant boost to renewable energy in the U.S., but opposition is growing and grid interconnection, permitting, labor and other challenges remain.

By Utility Dive staff

Ohio siting board approves 2 gas-fired projects

The combined projects total 1,950 MW and follow a contentious Energy Department cost recovery proposal for struggling nuclear and coal facilities. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2017

Montana PSC extends energy, PURPA contracts to 15 years

The ruling applies to all energy contracts, not just PURPA, though some regulators expressed qualms over extending the contract length. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2017

Pruitt axes Clean Power Plan, asks industry to shape replacement

Despite the repeal, energy analysts say the power sector is largely on track to meet the targets of the Obama-era climate regulations thanks to cheap gas and renewables. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 10, 2017

Nuclear plant closures to test sufficiency of decommissioning funds

The growing number of shutdowns will test how well funding levels match decommissioning cost estimates. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2017

Rocky Mountain Power solar settlement approved by Utah regulators

Earlier this year, solar advocates negotiated a net metering settlement with the PacifiCorp subsidiary. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 10, 2017

Why utilities need to respond now to the EV boom

Utilities can either embrace electric vehicle growth or be caught "flat-footed" when new power demand materializes, an RMI report warns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 9, 2017

Hurricane Nate takes out power to 60K in Southeast

The Category 1 storm made landfall twice in the northern part of the Gulf Coast, slamming Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, and leaving more than 100,000 in the dark at its peak. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 9, 2017

Massachusetts starts inquiry into energy storage eligibility for net metering

Regulators will also examine the qualification of net metering facilities to bid into ISO-New England’s forward capacity market. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 9, 2017

As DOE seeks to boost coal, Luminant to shut major Texas plant

The company said it will take 1,800 MW of the Monticello power plant offline in January, citing unprecedented low power prices that have "profoundly impacted its operating revenues." 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 9, 2017

Updated: Duke Energy threatened with lawsuit over coal ash plan for Belews Creek

Duke Energy has agreed to clean up coal ash at 10 out of 16 sites in North Carolina. The potential litigation targets Belews Creek, one of the six remaining sites.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2017

Updated: Illinois Power Agency seeks comments on new procurement rules

IPA is seeking comment on revisions to net metering policies, a new rebate for smart inverters for photovoltaic projects and new compliance obligations for Alternative Retail Electric Suppliers.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2017

Puente gas plant should not be approved, California energy committee says

A California Energy Commission committee said the proposed NRG Energy project would spark "significant unmitigated environmental effects" and fail to align with several policies and laws. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 6, 2017

EPA argues Clean Power Plan illegal in new repeal document

The Trump administration says the Obama-era carbon regulations overstepped EPA's authority by mandating emissions reductions "beyond the fenceline" of individual plants. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 6, 2017

Perry: Cost recovery rule is 'not a directive' for FERC

The Secretary of Energy shot back at criticism of his coal and nuclear support proposal on Friday, saying there "is no free market" for electricity, according to the Washington Examiner. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 6, 2017

Trump appoints coal lobbyist to No. 2 EPA slot

Energy lawyer Andrew Wheeler has represented coal giants in court and worked as a staffer for prominent climate denier Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK).

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 6, 2017

The DOE NOPR: An inevitable next step in power ‘market’ regulation

It was only a matter of time before 'around market' reforms went 'in market,' write Ray Gifford and Matt Larson.

By Ray Gifford, Matt Larson • Oct. 6, 2017

FERC terminates inquiry on cybersecurity controls for grid control centers

The agency said current cybersecurity measures provide sufficient protection from cyberattacks and some of the proposed modifications could pose operational risks.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2017

Reports: EPA set to justify CPP repeal with new cost math

The EPA will argue that repealing the Clean Power Plan will save $33 billion in compliance costs by 2030, according to media reports, a calculation critics say ignores broad power sector trends. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 6, 2017

BLM mining proposal clouds future of federal renewables development in California

BLM says the Interior Department should cancel the withdrawal of about 1.3 million acres of federal lands from new mining contracts in Southern California.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 6, 2017

GOP lawmaker criticizes DOE cost recovery rule at House hearing

Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX) said he is "concerned" that the DOE rule could raise customer costs by "picking winners and losers" for energy generation.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 5, 2017

Massachusetts net metering cap stifled $78M of solar projects, SEIA says

At least 124 projects with a total capacity of 51.2 MW are on hold as the solar trade group urges lawmakers to act.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 5, 2017

Utility success with corporate renewables demand raises questions for existing load

New utility green tariffs give new customers renewables options, but existing demand could mean stranded assets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 5, 2017

Performance-based regulation: Aligning utility incentives with policy objectives and customer benefits

AEE's Benjamin Stafford and Liza Frantzis lay out strategies for utilities and regulators to achieve performance-based regulation. 

By Benjamin Stafford, Lisa Frantzis • Oct. 5, 2017