With FERC shorthanded, insiders worry energy sector permitting will 'grind to a halt'

After this week, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will not have enough members to issue major decisions, and confirming a new regulator could take months.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 31, 2017

White House lifts freeze on EPA grants, contracts

Officials also told agency employees that reports of a communications blackout between press and staff were inaccurate.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 31, 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

Republicans gear up to eliminate BLM's methane waste rule

The rule targets methane emissions from oil and gas drilling sites and pipelines, but the GOP says it would limit U.S. energy production and boost prices. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 31, 2017

Trump appoints Kristine Svinicki as chair of Nuclear Regulatory Commission

The NRC still has two vacancies, giving the president the opportunity to reshape nuclear oversight.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 30, 2017

After 'banner year,' power sector deal momentum set to carry through 2017

Despite policy uncertainty, low gas prices and stagnant load growth are set to drive more consolidation.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 30, 2017

Hawaii lawmakers mull performance-based rates for HECO

The bill would require state regulators to tie performance incentives and penalty mechanisms to utility revenues.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2017

Washington lawmaker proposes second carbon tax at $15/metric ton

The bill would direct revenues from the tax to clean energy and communities impacted by climate change. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2017

FERC Chair Norman Bay resigns after Trump names LaFleur to top job

Bay's departure will leave the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with just two members, rendering the agency unable to issue decisions until new regulators are confirmed. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2017

The lurking surprise for solar in Arizona's recent ruling to end net metering

The landmark decision in the state's value of solar proceeding could end up slashing rooftop compensation in half.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 26, 2017

Southern Co. faces shareholder lawsuit for Kemper project delays and cost overruns

Attorneys have filed a class action suit in federal court against Southern Co. for delays and cost overruns associated with Mississippi Power's Kemper IGCC project.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 26, 2017

Trump team scrutinizing EPA climate science, grants in agency review

Any changes to EPA climate science from the review, set to end Friday, could have consequences for power sector rulemaking.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 26, 2017

Trump EPA to delay 30 regulations as part of transition freeze

The rules, already published in the Federal Register, include air quality plans, changes to the agency's hazard ranking system and emission standards for wood producers.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2017

Trump infrastructure priority plan includes transmission, wind, energy storage

An 50-item infrastructure priority list reported yesterday includes seven provisions for modernizing the nation's energy system.  

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 25, 2017

Amid legal uncertainty, California agency proposes cap-and-trade expansion

The California Air Resources Board wants to extend and expand the world's second-largest cap-and-trade program, but faces legal challenges from business groups. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 25, 2017

Reports: Trump freezes EPA grants and contracts, institutes media blackout

The move could have an immediate effect on states, with $6 billion in contracts already on the agency's books. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2017

ConEd's new demo storage project rolls out alternative financing model

The utility proposed a demo project under the Reforming the Energy Vision initiative that would test a new financial model for front-of-the-meter energy storage. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 25, 2017

Senate postpones votes on Trump nominees Perry, Zinke

Votes on the nominees for the Departments of Energy and Interior have been put off "until further notice."

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 24, 2017

What Australia's DER revolution can teach US utilities about the age of Trump

When federal support for clean energy faltered, states took the lead on the power sector transition. Sound familiar?

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 24, 2017

Montana PURPA battle returns to PSC jurisdiction after FERC ruling

Utility Northwestern Energy has asked regulators to cut the avoided cost rate paid to solar farms nearly in half. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 24, 2017

Updated: Trump names LaFleur as acting chair of FERC

Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur will serve as chairman until nominations are proposed to fill the two vacant seats. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2017

New York PSC chair Zibelman to leave for Australian grid operator in March

Zibelman will head the Australian Energy Market Operator as the country grapples with rising penetration of distributed solar and storage. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 23, 2017

FirstEnergy to sell 1,572 MW of generation to LS Power for $925M

The power plant sale is part of FirstEnergy's shift back to a focus on regulated assets. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 23, 2017

10 trends shaping the electric utility industry in 2017

The dawn of the Trump era holds uncertainty for the power sector, but the trends pointing toward a cleaner grid are still very much in play.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 23, 2017

Missouri electric co-op group pens bill challenging net metering policy

The proposed bill would give utilities with a customer base of 20,000 or less the ability to add a separate rate class and levy extra fees on net metering customers. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2017

FERC policy statement upholds concurrent cost recovery for energy storage resources

FERC said it found little chance market competitors would be harmed by allowing storage resources to concurrently recover their costs through cost- and market-based rates. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2017