California regulators edge away from gas peaker plants

The CPUC rejected proposed upgrades to NRG's Ellwood peaker plant just days after CAISO pushed the state regulatory body to reconsider approval of upgrades to the Puente peaker.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 3, 2017

FERC seeks fast track on DOE baseload compensation proposal

Comments on the controversial DOE rulemaking will be due Oct. 23, FERC announced Monday, as 11 industry groups pressed for extended consideration. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 2, 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 rulemaking threatens to destroy wholesale markets with no tangible benefit

Newly proposed cost recovery for fuel-secure generators would spike power costs and emissions with little upside for consumers, Energy Innovation analysts argue.

By Robbie Orvis, Mike O'Boyle • Oct. 2, 2017

Silverstein: If I'd written the DOE grid study recommendations

Alison Silverstein, who drafted the technical portions of the DOE grid study, says its summary and recommendations missed key points on grid reliability and resilience.

By Alison Silverstein • Oct. 2, 2017

How DOE's baseload power rule 'would blow the market up'

Former FERC officials and energy experts say moves to guarantee cost recovery for generators with onsite fuel supplies could unravel wholesale power markets.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 2, 2017

Tesla pledges 'hundreds' of Powerwall battery packs for Puerto Rico

Only 5% of the U.S. territory's grid is working right now, The New York Times reports, and it could take up to six months to fully restore power. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 2, 2017

Report charts a path for more corporate purchases of utility-scale solar power

To get companies to buy more solar, the report says utilities should consider working with stakeholders to develop purchasing options in areas where solar is most cost-competitive.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 2, 2017

Suniva, SolarWorld revise tariff, floor price proposals ahead of ITC remedy hearing

The petitioners proposed declining tariffs on solar modules and cells in addition to a declining floor price of $0.74/watt for solar modules.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 2, 2017

DOE guarantees $3.7B in loans for Vogtle nuclear plant construction

The decision comes the same day as DOE pushes for higher compensation for existing nuclear plants in organized markets. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 29, 2017

Updated: DOE proposes cost recovery for baseload generators in new FERC rule

DOE wants FERC to provide federal cost-of-service regulation for coal and nuclear plants, amounting to the biggest change in wholesale power markets in a generation.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 29, 2017

New lawsuit argues SCANA led 'misinformation campaign' on Summer plant

The suit comes as a newly released internal document from contractor Westinghouse shows senior executives were warned the project was "at risk" as early as 2011. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 29, 2017

Florida governor reshapes PSC with 3 appointments

The controversial pick is former state legislator Ritch Workman, who has opposed solar policies and in 2012 pushed to repeal Florida's ban on "dwarf tossing."

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2017

Why it's time to fully embrace America's energy grid diversification

U.S. regulators should help drive more distributed resources into the grid, ICF's Philip Mihlmester writes, recommending how they can do so to the benefit of energy consumers and utilities.

By Philip Mihlmester • Sept. 29, 2017

Connecticut energy plan raises tough questions on comparative resource valuation

Critics say the state's comprehensive energy plan falls short in capturing the full costs and benefits of energy technologies.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2017

Trio of new bills in Congress aims to support energy storage deployment

Industry leaders hope to cast energy storage as a resource that "helps everyone," avoiding the partisan divides of energy resource politics on Capitol Hill. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 28, 2017

Entergy to keep Palisades nuke open until 2022 after PSC decision

The plant was slated to close in 2018, but Michigan regulators cut $36 million out of Consumer Energy's proposal last week to buy out its nuclear power purchase agreement with Entergy.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 28, 2017

South Carolina AG: SCANA should not charge customers for failed Summer nuke

SCANA's utility subsidiary is collecting almost $40 million every month to pay for the abandoned V.C. Summer nuclear project.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2017

NERC proposal targets cybersecurity risks in electric system supply chains

The new standards aim to reduce the likelihood that an attacker could exploit legitimate vendor patch management processes to deliver compromised software updates to the United States bulk electric system.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2017

GTM: Grid-tied residential storage to outpace off-grid deployments in 2017

Utilities are encouraging homeowners to deploy grid-connected storage as a way to reduce the effect of high solar penetration on the grid.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 28, 2017

Report: Illinois EPA to loosen pollution limits to keep Dynegy coal plants afloat

New rules proposed by the Rauner administration would reportedly impose annual caps on pollution, rather than limit pollution rates, potentially keeping dirtier plants online longer. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2017

Nearly 1.3 GW of coal capacity slated for closure in Mississippi, Florida

Stagnant power demand, market expansion and cheap natural gas have spelled the end of two more coal generators.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 27, 2017

As Perry slams state pipeline decisions, lawyers say DOE has little authority to intervene

The Secretary of Energy has cast energy infrastructure as a national security issue, but his agency has little power over siting decisions.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2017

EPA initiative targets regulatory burden for utilities, other industries

The Smart Sectors program will be based in the Office of Policy and will "re-examine how EPA engages with industry," according to an agency notice.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2017

Michigan regulators trim Consumers Energy's proposed nuclear plant buy-out

The Michigan Public Service Commission approved financing for securitization bonds at about $40 million less than Consumers requested, throwing into doubt plans to shut down the Palisades facility next year.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2017

Despite setbacks, DOE continues funding carbon capture research

The agency is providing $36 million to help bring the technology to engineering scale.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2017