How Microsoft and a Wyoming utility designed a data center tariff that works for everyone

Collaboration on corporate rate design makes Black Hills Energy "a banner for what utilities should be," but work remains to be done on renewables procurement. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 20, 2016

Renewables challenge natural gas plants on price in latest Lazard analysis

Wind and solar are now well within the cost range of combined cycle plants, but still need generators or storage to support them on the grid.  

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 20, 2016

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

ComEd pushes ahead with Bronzeville microgrid, despite lack of legislative backing

Funding for the microgrid was left out of Illinois' mammoth energy bill, but ComEd says it will ask regulators to allow it to recover some of the costs. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 20, 2016

Second time the charm? Washington Gov. Inslee proposes new $25 carbon tax in budget

Voters rejected a carbon tax in last month's election, but the governor included a similar proposal in a draft of the state's two-year budget plan. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2016

Greens protest Portland General Electric's plans to replace retired coal unit with natural gas

Environmental groups say the retrofit violates the spirit of a plan approved earlier this year to end fossil fuel use.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2016

Proposed Massachusetts air regulations target 80% decarbonization by 2050

The new rules would require utilities to source 80% of their power from non-emitting resources by midcentury and limit GHGs from transport and fossil fuel extraction.

By Robert Walton, Gavin Bade • Dec. 19, 2016

House 'Freedom Caucus' pushes Trump to rescind climate measures in first 100 days

The group of the House's most conservative lawmakers laid out a list of 200 regulations they want President-elect Donald Trump to overturn once he takes office. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 19, 2016

Strange rumblings at PowerGen: Coal use could persist

New technologies and looser regulations could help coal, attendees at PowerGen said last week, but many utilities have already made other generation plans.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2016

Trump election throws wrench in California ISO plan for western power market

State leaders across the region want to see Trump's energy priorities before forging on toward a full ISO.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2016

Two dozen states ask Trump to scrap Clean Power Plan on Day 1

It was a campaign promise of President-elect Donald Trump. Now 24 states want him to act on his first day in office.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2016

FERC proposes changes to large generator interconnection process

The Commission's notice focuses on large plants but also asks whether it could be expanded to distributed energy. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 19, 2016

Did coal ash disputes lay the foundation for North Carolina power grab?

A new law that strips some powers from an incoming Democratic governor could have its origins in coal ash power tussles, according to a local report. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2016

FERC rejects Montana decision to suspend PURPA rates for small solar farms

FLS Energy turned to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission after Montana suspended guaranteed rates for small solar projects at the request of NorthWestern Energy.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 19, 2016

UK utility picks Younicos for 49 MW storage project

Construction is slated to start in March and is expected to enter operations in 2018.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 16, 2016

MIT report calls for regulatory, market reforms to accommodate DERs

The lengthy paper argues regulators must be as innovative as the companies they oversee to unlock the potential of distributed resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 16, 2016

Down to the wire, Michigan passes sweeping renewable energy, retail choice reforms

After a scramble to reach a compromise, lawmakers came together to overhaul Michigan's energy marketplace on the last day of the legislative session.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2016

The new guide to the community solar galaxy

A new policy guide outlines five categories of best practices to spur growth in shared renewables. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2016

Hawaii regulators nix bid to raise caps on grid-supply rooftop solar incentive

Until regulators devise a new compensation scheme, the self-supply option is the only one for new rooftop solar customers in Hawaii. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 15, 2016

Wind industry to Trump: Transmission vital to sustain record growth

Wind builders want the Trump White House to see transmission as vital infrastructure, and having Rick Perry at DOE could help. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2016

Michigan lawmakers scramble for energy bill compromise after late-night session

Legislators and Gov. Snyder worked until 5 a.m. and are still trying to finalize changes to the state's retail market and renewables goals. 

By Robert Walton, Gavin Bade • Dec. 15, 2016

ConEd Brooklyn-Queens non-wire alternative project installs first microgrid

The project, sited on a Brooklyn apartment complex, will include lithium batteries, solar PV and a fuel cell. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 14, 2016

Entergy approved to double efficiency spending by Mississippi PSC

The utility will increase its efficiency spending from under $4 million to more than $8 million next year. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 14, 2016

Exelon, New York PSC file in federal court to defend nuclear subsidy program

The parties want the court to dismiss a challenge against New York's ZEC program aimed at shoring up ailing nuclear power plants.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 14, 2016

Marijuana growers are seeing the (LED) light on energy efficiency

Commercial cultivators in Washington state are cutting their power bills in half with LEDs — and earning huge utility rebates for installation.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2016

First US offshore wind farm fires up the turbines

Deepwater Wind's 30 MW Block Wind Farm entered into commercial operation this week. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 14, 2016