US Trade Rep pushes for another ITC report ahead of solar trade case hearing

Ambassador Robert Lighthizer asked for additional information from the International Trade Commission, pushing back a final decision from President Donald Trump to the end of January. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 30, 2017

Last-minute provision in Senate tax bill could 'devastate' renewable energy

The so-called BEAT provision, introduced in committee mark-up, would reduce the value of tax equity deals that drive renewable energy investments.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 30, 2017

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

California stakeholders push for community settlement, clean energy in Diablo Canyon oral hearing

At least 21 different organizations and municipalities testified in the final oral arguments on Tuesday. A final decision is expected by Dec. 14. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 30, 2017

What we talk about when we talk about resilience

DOE's proposal to support coal and nuclear plants lacks a definition of resilience, but that's critical to determining whether payments or other actions are warranted, Burcin Unel and Avi Zevin from the Institute for Policy Integrity write.

By Burcin Unel and Avi Zevin • Nov. 30, 2017

Senate committee advances controversial EPA, White House CEQ nominees

Andrew Wheeler, nominated for the No. 2 slot at EPA, was present for the crafting of the DOE NOPR as a Murray Energy lobbyist. Kathleen Hartnett White has compared a belief in climate change to paganism.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 30, 2017

Amid criticism, Chatterjee claims 'no politicizing' in interim NOPR fix

The acting FERC chairman said his decision to float a plant subsidy plan with the press before presenting it to colleagues was "in no way trying to preempt" normal rulemaking procedures.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 29, 2017

Familiar battle lines drawn in first day of EPA's single hearing on Clean Power Plan repeal

Coal barons, environmentalists and coal miners showed up at the agency's two-day hearing on the Clean Power Plan repeal in the heart of coal country. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 29, 2017

PG&E expects wildfire restoration costs to hit up to $200M

In an earnings call, utility officials cautioned that it's too early to pin power equipment as responsible for sparking the massive wildfires that ripped through northern California in October. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 29, 2017

Updated: Glick sworn in at FERC; McIntyre arrival remains uncertain

It's taken more than three weeks for the FERC regulators to take their seats, but Acting Chairman Neil Chatterjee said there are no "Machiavellian games" in the works to see him retain the gavel.  

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 28, 2017

Top energy storage projects driving the sector in 2017

From transmission deferral to hybrid generation, 2017 has seen a number of notable projects done by or for regulated utilities.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 28, 2017

Gas rush: FERC's pipeline approvals underline persisting controversy over permitting

The federal agency has approved 8 Bcf/d of pipeline capacity in recent months, resisting calls to expand its evaluation procedures.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 28, 2017

Updated: New audit shows utilities knew of schedule problems at V.C. Summer nuclear expansion

A 2015 draft audit of the project showed utilities would have missed a 2020 deadline to qualify for $2 billion in federal tax credits, but that information was scrubbed in the final 2016 report. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 28, 2017

SDG&E set to unveil renewables plan as alternative to San Diego's proposed CCA program

The initiative responds to San Diego's proposed government-run community choice aggregation program to meet the renewable energy target. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 27, 2017

McIntyre, Glick cleared to take FERC seats with White House signoff

A swearing-in ceremony could happen as soon as this week, filling the final vacancies at the commission as it considers a controversial plan to subsidize coal and nuclear plants. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 27, 2017

Has California built its last natural gas plant?

Two pending decisions from state regulators will decide how the Golden State moves toward a clean(er) energy future. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 22, 2017

Chatterjee: Sympathy for coal 'doesn't factor in' to baseload support plan

The acting FERC chairman told Utility Dive his "cultural sensitivity" for coal country "in no way will influence" the outcome of the DOE NOPR proceeding

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 21, 2017

Class action lawsuit targets Eversource, Avangrid over pipeline scheduling

An EDF report alleging the two utilities artificially constrained pipeline capacity has sparked a class action lawsuit from consumers who say the practice raised their electricity rates. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 20, 2017

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

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