Xcel Energy named in 15 lawsuits over 2024 Texas panhandle fires

Company officials said they will push for federal or state-level legislation to guarantee wildfire insurance for utilities or otherwise limit losses.

By Emma Penrod • April 26, 2024

NRC proposes streamlined environmental reviews for new reactor license applications

If finalized, the proposed rule would apply to any future fission reactor application and could reduce environmental review costs by up to 45%, Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff found.

By Brian Martucci • April 25, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

DOE sets 2-year deadline for federal transmission permitting, cutting average timelines in half

In addition, the Energy Department has tentatively agreed to provide up to $331 million to an LS Power transmission project that could help create a new transmission pathway in the West and deliver wind from Idaho to California.

By Ethan Howland • April 25, 2024

JPMorgan warns clean energy transition could take ‘decades or generations’

New research from the U.S. bank pointed to inflation, high interest rates and geopolitical issues as key roadblocks delaying the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

By Zoya Mirza • April 25, 2024

EPA finalizes power plant emission rules, but utilities balk at expected need for carbon capture

Electric utilities called the power plant rules “disappointing” and “unlawful” and say the rules will create reliability and affordability challenges.

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2024

A single, unified Western power market will deliver affordability, reliability and climate benefits

The expansion of the Western Energy Imbalance Market with a day-ahead market and a new independent governing authority can open major opportunities for customer benefits and increased grid reliability.

By Lauren McCloy, Ben Otto, Diego Rivas and Fred Heutte • April 24, 2024

EPA awards $7B to 60 low-income solar access programs

The funds will support community solar programs as well as initiatives to provide loans and grants to low-income households looking to install rooftop solar, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

By Emma Penrod • April 23, 2024

The case for electricity transmission competition has never been clearer with today’s inflation

Both the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission have found that competitive bidding will improve grid sustainability and resiliency while lowering rates and increasing innovation.

By Paul Cicio • April 23, 2024

APS, others plan 1-year delay in fines for Western Resource Adequacy Program capacity shortfalls

Supply chain problems, unexpected load growth and extreme weather are challenging efforts to ensure adequate power supplies in the West, according to Avista, Calpine and other program participants.

By Ethan Howland • April 23, 2024

House GOP spearheads legislation to strike down SEC climate disclosure rule

The Financial Services Committee advanced a Congressional Review Act challenge to the rule by a 28-22 vote split along party lines.

By Lamar Johnson • April 19, 2024

Congressional Democrats press Treasury for ‘well-functioning’ 45U nuclear tax credit

Six House Democrats urged Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to adopt flexible guidance for the Inflation Reduction Act credit, which benefits existing nuclear power facilities.

By Brian Martucci • April 19, 2024

Democratic bill mandates FERC interconnection reforms to bring new resources online faster

The bill would help bring new power supply online to address surging demand growth and increasing grid reliability concerns, according to the R Street Institute’s Devin Hartman.

By Ethan Howland • April 18, 2024

DOE issues road map for speeding, improving grid interconnections to unlock 2.6-TW backlog

“There is unlikely to be any document for years to come reflecting such a comprehensive set of [interconnection] solutions,” said Tyler Norris, former head of development at Cypress Creek Renewables.

By Ethan Howland • April 18, 2024

Tackling 3 key issues can help scale virtual power plants and spur a wave of benefits, analysts say

Advanced operational software, communications standards and customer compensation are needed to scale VPP size and services, cut system and customer costs and enhance reliability, key VPP players agree.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 17, 2024

As states increasingly look to advanced nuclear, Wyoming, Virginia and Michigan lead the way

Their efforts are showing policymakers elsewhere how to attract emerging nuclear technologies and the skilled workers they need to operate, National Association of State Energy Officials President David Terry said.

By Brian Martucci • April 17, 2024

Surging demand growth spurs openings for advanced nuclear, grid technologies: DOE’s Crane

Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure law funding are supporting new technologies, he said, but the "missing link" is permitting reform. “Without permitting reform, what we are hindering is new zero-carbon energy sources.”

By Ethan Howland • April 17, 2024

The time is ripe for utilities to play a larger role in the energy transition

Utilities should provide upfront support to low- to moderate-income customers for residential electrification and decarbonization measures to prevent them from being stuck on the existing fossil fuel systems.

By Dan Bakal • April 16, 2024

VPPs, other advanced technologies could each expand existing US grid capacity 20-100 GW: DOE

Separately, AES and LineVision released a case study showing how using dynamic line ratings increased capacity on power lines in Indiana and Ohio.

By Ethan Howland • April 16, 2024

Constellation, generator trade groups back PJM plan to revert to original capacity auction results

However, Delaware and Maryland utility commissions contend the PJM plan should be rejected, telling the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission it would more than double capacity costs for ratepayers in their states.

By Ethan Howland • April 15, 2024

Power grids are facing more demand than ever. Policy needs to catch up.

There is a gap between operational realities and aspirational policies. That gap is growing, and not shrinking as it must.

By Todd Snitchler • April 15, 2024

House Republicans begin congressional challenge to SEC climate disclosure rule

House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry said the agency’s voluntary pause is “not enough.”

By Lamar Johnson • April 12, 2024

Pathways Initiative proposes independent power market organization for the West

The stakeholder group aims to establish an organization free of CAISO governance to run wholesale power markets, laying the groundwork for a possible regional transmission organization.

By Ethan Howland • April 11, 2024

SEC reiterates no scope 3 in final climate rule

Agency officials are starting to educate industry stakeholders and investors on the paused rule’s required disclosures while defending it in court.

By Lamar Johnson • April 10, 2024

FERC approves PJM’s $5.1B cost-share plan for transmission to be built by Dominion, others

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected arguments that Virginia should pay a larger share for projects driven by its data center policies.

By Ethan Howland • April 10, 2024

Can Retail Choice 2.0 succeed where Retail Choice 1.0 (maybe) failed?

Retail Choice 2.0 is capable of unlocking more value than ever, through smart meters, telecommunications infrastructure, AI, electrified homes and even social media, enabling both real-time feedback and customer education.

By Allison Bates Wannop • April 9, 2024