California Gov. Brown signs bill directing utilities to plan storage, DERs for peak demand

The new law, SB 338, requires utilities to develop carbon-free alternatives to gas generation for meeting peak demand in their integrated resource plans. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 12, 2017

Updated: First Solar wades into solar trade case fight, supports Suniva, SolarWorld

The thin-film developer would benefit from tariffs, and is a member of the Solar Energy Industries Association, which opposes the remedies. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 11, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

DOE limits NOPR to RTOs with capacity markets as FERC denies extension request

The version of the DOE's proposed rulemaking filed in the Federal Register contains a subtle but significant shift in which regions would be covered by the cost recovery rule. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 11, 2017

Updated: North Carolina questions Atlantic Coast Pipeline environmental plan

In a letter, state officials noted the erosion and sediment control plan submitted by the developers was inadequate.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 11, 2017

25% of remaining US coal fleet headed for retirement or conversion, new report says

Another 17% of the remaining coal fleet is uneconomic, according to a new Union of Concerned Scientists report.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 11, 2017

Eversource, Avangrid artificially constrained gas pipeline capacity for years, report argues

Withholding of pipeline capacity cost New England electricity customers $3.6 billion over the past three years, researchers estimate. Eversource called the report a “complete fabrication.”

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 11, 2017

How did Florida utilities do with Irma outages, PSC asks customers

The Public Service Commission invited customers to submit comments on how long it took to restore their power and how well their utility kept them informed throughout Hurricane Irma.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 11, 2017

A bipartisan view on modernizing the US electric grid

Congress must incentivize power industry innovations yielding cleaner and more customized energy services, the Republican and Democratic co-chairs of the Grid Innovation Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives write.

By Robert E. Latta, Jerry McNerney • Oct. 11, 2017

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

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

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

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

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