Updated: Trump to pick former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to lead Department of Energy

Perry has deep ties to the fossil fuel industry and once famously forgot his pledge to eliminate the department during a 2011 presidential debate. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 13, 2016

Utah regulators put Rocky Mountain Power net metering proposal on hold

RMP requested regulators to halt the proposal for now until all sides find a "mutually acceptable solution."

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 13, 2016

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

Why Exelon's mammoth Illinois energy bill could set a precedent for other states

The grand bargain in Springfield may be a model to save nuclear plants in other jurisdictions, though not everyone is comfortable with the final deal. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 12, 2016

Updated: Trump expected to tap McMorris Rodgers to head Interior

U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) has voiced skepticism over man-made climate change and supported lifting restrictions on fossil fuel development, including coal. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 12, 2016

APS selects AES to install 4 MW of storage to support utility-owned solar pilot

The two installations will provide power to participants in APS's utility-owned rooftop solar pilot. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 12, 2016

Missouri lawmaker tries 2nd attempt at ratemaking reform

Pre-filed legislation in the state Senate includes incentives for solar energy and smart grids, but also lower rates for large customers.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 12, 2016

Lawmakers, DOE probe Western Area Power Administration spending

Federal officials are concerned that the utility has been overcharging customers, according to local news reports. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 12, 2016

Arizona regulator rebukes APS gas plans, endorses renewables mandate fix

In two separate letters, ACC Commissioner Andy Tobin admonished the utility's plans to increase natural gas generation, saying renewables, storage and DR could meet peak demand for less cost. 

By Gavin Bade , Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 12, 2016

Energy storage projects win 6% of UK capacity auction

A total of 3.2 GW of energy storage projects were among the winners for the 15-year contracts.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 9, 2016

Canada poised to implement carbon price by 2018

Canada's federal government and 10 provinces will soon agree on a national carbon price, marking a split with expected U.S. climate policies. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 9, 2016

Report for ERMF questions long-term sustainability of net metering

A report from Meridian Energy Policy notes that the value of rooftop solar is likely to diminish as more of it is added to the grid. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 9, 2016

Updated: Arizona proposal seeks to mandate renewable generation during peak demand hours

A fix to the renewables mandate floated by the state’s consumer advocate would require a portion of wind and solar resources to deliver power when electricity demand is highest.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2016

PNM files rate hike to support shutdown of coal-fired San Juan station

The utility has asked the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission to approve new revenues of almost $100 million, potentially adding 13% to residential bills. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2016

South Dakota regulators pause Xcel fuel rider request to mull Minnesota solar costs

Regulators worry the solar installations could boost rates for South Dakota customers in Xcel's territory. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 8, 2016

Can new tariff models help Massachusetts solve the rooftop solar compensation puzzle?

Getting past the usual debates on net metering may depend on yet-unproven rooftop solar incentives floated by state officials. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 8, 2016

Colorado's chief utility regulator Joshua Epel to step down

Colorado PUC Chairman Epel's term was slated to end in 2019. A search for his replacement is underway.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2016

Report: Trump's pro-fossil fuel transition team worries climate advocates

Advocates say members of his energy transition team have used the Freedom of Information Act requests to discredit government-funded researchers.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2016

The little-watched renewables case that could bring big changes to federal-state jurisdiction

Wind and solar developers are watching the Allco case for implications on how states structure programs to meet renewable energy targets. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 8, 2016

Updated: Trump taps fossil fuel ally Scott Pruitt to head EPA

The Oklahoma Attorney General is one of the leaders of a lawsuit against the Clean Power Plan and has a close ties to the fossil fuel industry. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 7, 2016

Why NARUC wants state regulators to incentivize utility cloud computing

Allowing utilities to earn a return on cloud-based software could help them better serve customers and operate the modern grid, according to a new NARUC resolution.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2016

Updated: Illinois Gov. Rauner signs Exelon nuclear legislation

The bill to support unprofitable nukes and expand clean energy and efficiency passed the General Assembly last week. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 7, 2016

First two Vermont munis build solar projects

Utilities in Stowe and Hyde Park are the first municipally-owned power providers to build solar in the state.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 6, 2016

Memo from Trump's energy transition leader could yield hints at future policy

Days before American Energy Alliance President Thomas Pyle was named head of Donald Trump's energy transition team, he sent a memo outlining what he expected from the incoming administration.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 6, 2016

Inside construction of the world's largest lithium ion battery storage facility

SDG&E's 120 MWh Escondido storage project is being built in less than six months to help mitigate a natural gas shortage in southern California. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 6, 2016

California air regulator rolls out draft plan to achieve 2030 climate goals

The California Air Resources Board plans to utilize the state's cap-and-trade program to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% below 1990 levels.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 6, 2016