'Enabler of the smart city': CPS Energy's CEO on democratizing distributed energy

Electric utilities have a central role to play in spreading the energy technologies that make smart cities possible, Paula Gold-Williams, CEO of San Antonio's municipal utility, told Utility Dive. 

By Gavin Bade • April 11, 2017

Chicago to power city-owned buildings with 100% renewable energy

Chicago will purchase renewable energy credits, buy wind and solar from utilities and invest in on-site generation to offset power demand from 900 buildings. 

By Robert Walton • April 11, 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

Generators, business groups line up against Ohio nuclear bill

Arguments against a bill to support at-risk FirstEnergy nuclear plants are similar to those animating legal challenges against generation subsidies in other states. 

By Peter Maloney • April 11, 2017

Vermont bill would direct PUC to draw up energy storage recommendations

Sponsor Rep. Laura Sibilia (I) says she is concerned Vermont could fall behind neighbors like Massachusetts, which is implementing a storage target for utilities. 

By Peter Maloney • April 11, 2017

White House signals it will not defend Obama-era smog rules

The Trump administration asked the D.C. Circuit to postpone arguments on ozone standards as senators wrote to the White House asking for clarification on its strategy to unwind the Clean Power Plan.

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2017

Why utilities say grid security is the most pressing sector issue of 2017

The successful hack of Ukraine's electric grid in late 2015 got the sector's attention, Utility Dive's recent survey shows.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 10, 2017

Puerto Rico's utility strikes debt renegotiation deal

Changes to its debt agreements could save the utility more than $2 billion over five years.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2017

California PUC approves doubling of SGIP funding, tilted toward storage

Utilities will allocate $83 million annually for three years to help fund customer-sited storage and renewable energy generation.

By Peter Maloney • April 10, 2017

California solar spike leads to negative CAISO real-time prices in March

CAISO real-time prices routinely dropped into negative territory last month as solar power spiked. 

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2017

North Carolina approves Duke's renewable microgrid project in the Smoky Mountains

The solar and battery microgrid will power a remote communications tower in the national park currently served by an overhead transmission line.  

By Peter Maloney • April 10, 2017

Missouri solar industry hopes to stop fixed fee bill in Senate

While the measure passed with strong support in Missouri's lower chamber, renewables advocates say it is unlikely to be approved by the Senate.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2017

New gas build, coal retirements could make PJM next market with distressed power prices

A flood of new, efficient gas-fired plants is set to put downward pressure on PJM power prices, Moody's says, pushing more coal plants to the brink.

By Peter Maloney • April 7, 2017

Report: FPL parent drafted rooftop solar rules Florida lawmaker added to pending bill

A Florida lawmaker added consumer protection language drafted by FPL parent NextEra Energy to a solar energy bill just days after receiving a financial contribution from the company, The Miami Herald reports. 

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2017

State lawmakers push for Atlantic Coast Pipeline approval as greens vow appeal

Critics of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline proposal say it is unnecessary, while more than a dozen lawmakers are pressing federal regulators to approve the natural gas project.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2017

Ohio lawmakers introduce bill to support FirstEnergy's nuclear plants

The Zero Emission Nuclear Resource program follows similar proposals in New York, New Jersey, Illinois and Connecticut.

By Peter Maloney • April 6, 2017

How New York is incentivizing utilities to interconnect DERs under REV

Regulators want to reward utilities for better performance on key tasks like DER interconnection — the question is how.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2017

Battery, tech companies urge Congress to include storage in infrastructure plans

The Energy Storage Association joined more than 50 other companies and groups in signing the letter to lawmakers. 

By Peter Maloney • April 6, 2017

Michigan regulators plan EV conference after utility withdraws 800-charger plan

Consumers Energy, car companies and charging station developers will work together this summer to devise a charging plan that works for both the utility and the private market. 

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2017

Indiana House approves bill to phase out retail net metering

The bill now returns to the Senate, which passed an earlier version in February, for final considerations. 

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2017

Report: Connecticut nuclear support legislation would cost $300M a year

A report commissioned by a generator trade group argues the Millstone plant has been "highly profitable" and is not at risk of early retirement.

By Peter Maloney • April 6, 2017

Westinghouse bankruptcy fallout continues as chairman replaced, Santee Cooper downgraded

Parent company Toshiba is also being forced to buy Engie's stake in a U.K. nuclear joint venture due to the bankruptcy filing. 

By Peter Maloney • April 5, 2017

Defying Trump, Supreme Court will continue with WOTUS case

President Trump's administration had asked the justices to put the case on hold as the Waters of the U.S. rule is reconsidered.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2017

Retooling regulation: Blazing the trail to integrated energy & environmental rules

The time for states to integrate their energy and environmental rulemaking is now, RAP analysts argue.

By Chris James, Ken Colburn • April 4, 2017

New NREL report provides missing metric for valuing solar+storage facilities

The report uses NREL's solar cost methodology to identify a single benchmark for paired resources.

By Peter Maloney • April 4, 2017

States, green groups threaten lawsuit if Trump doesn't finalize efficiency standards

A dozen state and city governments informed the White House they will file a lawsuit unless the Department of Energy moves to finalize efficiency regulations covering commercial and consumer products.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2017