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

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

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

Report: DOE target for massive cuts in Trump budget draft

A leaked budget proposal would cut funding for programs focused on efficiency, renewables, fossil fuels, nuclear energy and more.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2017

Subscriptions or sales: Which community solar approach promises the best growth?

A rapidly maturing community solar market has developers weighing which strategies can get them to scale. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2017

Trump DOE pick Perry pledges to protect energy R&D, climate science

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry distanced himself from media reports that the Trump White House is preparing a budget that would gut the Department of Energy.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 19, 2017

What will Trump's EPA do? Scott Pruitt hearing offered few answers

Donald Trump's EPA nominee affirmed the agency "has an obligation" to regulate carbon, but offered little-to-no specifics on what that regulatory regime would actually look like.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 19, 2017

Clean energy groups want New York utilities to provide more granular data in REV filings

Advanced Energy Economy and other groups say utilities should provide more granular forecasts of substation demand as part of the Reforming the Energy Vision process.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 19, 2017

Third time's the charm? Inside Hawaiian Electric's new, new plan to get to 100% renewables

Stakeholders say the third edition of HECO's Power Supply Improvement Plan is a real improvement, but question its approach to DERs and $26.5 billion price tag.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 18, 2017

Trump nominee Pruitt: Climate change debatable, but EPA has 'obligation' to regulate carbon

The Oklahoma Attorney General said his personal opinion of climate change is "immaterial" since the law requires EPA to regulate carbon — just not in the way the Clean Power Plan did. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 18, 2017

Political firestorm on tap as Senate girds for Scott Pruitt's EPA nomination hearing

The Oklahoma attorney general is among the most controversial of President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet appointees. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 18, 2017

Renewables, efficiency dominate robust job growth in energy sector

The solar and wind industries experienced the strongest growth, but the sector faces a number of workforce challenges — including retirements, skills gaps and a lack of diversity.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 17, 2017

Zinke skirts climate science, touts 'all of the above' energy approach in DOI hearing

Donald Trump's pick to head the Department of Interior said he supports both fossil fuel development and renewable energy in his confirmation hearing, but refused to be pinned down on climate science. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 17, 2017

As Trump takes office, job growth is pushing GOP governors to embrace renewables

Economic development is changing the equation for wind and solar, but some say more work remains to ensure benefits are spread to all.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 17, 2017

Moniz approves new protections for Department of Energy scientists

The U.S. Department of Energy has finalized a "scientific integrity" policy that ensures researchers can speak openly about their work and conclusions.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2017

Virginia legislation would lift Dominion rate freeze if CPP is repealed

But Dominion Virginia says regulatory uncertainty has only increased, since the CPP would have to be replaced with another carbon regulation under current law.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 17, 2017

Sunrun partners with National Grid to expand rooftop solar, storage

National Grid is contributing $100 million to finance the initial buildout of 200 MW of distributed solar, including direct utility investment in the rooftop systems. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 17, 2017

Wyoming lawmakers want to limit utility usage of in-state wind energy

Some GOP legislators are backing a measure that would block utilities from using wind power produced in the state and boost traditional generation, like coal. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2017

Proposed CA bill would require solar panels on 15% of new buildings

New bill would require solar power on 15% of new buildings in California not more than 10 stories tall.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 13, 2017