Massachusetts floats new solar tariff structure in incentive program redesign

The new program would replace current incentives with tariffs designed to reduce risk and provide more predictable revenue streams for developers.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 28, 2016

California Gov. Brown signs bill to strengthen PACE protections

The law requires a new disclosure form ensuring customers can understand all of the terms associated with Property Assessed Clean Energy financing loans.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 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

In strong Q2 showing, non-traditional storage markets edge out California, PJM

After a White House initiative gave the sector a boost, GTM Research forecasts a record year for storage deployment.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 27, 2016

DC Circuit judges grill EPA, industry lawyers in first round of Clean Power Plan hearings

It was difficult to say which side got the better of the first three-and-a-half hours of Clean Power Plan testimony at the D.C. Circuit Tuesday morning. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2016

'Eyes wide open': Despite climate risks, utilities bet big on natural gas

Scientists say the United States can't build much more fossil fuel infrastructure if it wants to meet the Paris climate goals. So why are utilities going all-in on gas?

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2016

India to ratify Paris climate deal

If the European Union signs on, the deal could start implementation in a few weeks. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2016

NYC targets 100 MWh energy storage by 2020

The new energy storage target will help New York City reach its goal to cut emissions 80% by 2050.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2016

Study: Transportation CO2 emissions outpace power sector

As the power sector shifts from coal to gas to cut emissions, transportation takes the No.1 spot as biggest CO2 emitter. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2016

Demand charges vs. TOU rates: The great Arizona rate design experiment

APS wants to be the first utility with mandatory demand charges for residential customers, but critics say time-of-use pricing provides similar benefits and is easier for consumers to adopt. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 26, 2016

California auditor: CPUC open to improper influence, needs reforms

A series of controversies has led some stakeholders to question the impartiality and legitimacy of CPUC governance. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2016

FERC to rethink market power issues in a more 'open' approach

The agency is considering changes to how it examines market power issues surrounding mergers and other transactions.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2016

House committee votes to lift 2020 deadline on nuclear power tax credit

Plants under construction by Southern Co. and SCANA Corp. are behind schedule and risk losing out on federal assistance if the deadline is not lifted.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 23, 2016

Critics question effectiveness, fairness of FirstEnergy Ohio efficiency plans

Consumer advocates say the utility's plan would allow it to profit from work done by other organizations or municipalities. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2016

Trump vows to scrap Clean Power Plan

At a fossil fuel conference in Pittsburgh yesterday, the Republican nominee vowed to loosen energy production restrictions and keep American power bills low.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2016

DC Circuit Clean Power Plan hearing will have 10 judges after Pillard drops recusal

Judge Cornelia Pillard did not participate in the decision to hear the CPP before the full DC Circuit Court, but she will sit for the hearing next week. Judge Merrick Garland remains recused from the case. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 22, 2016

Inside the new guidebook for electric utility regulation

A new regulatory primer from RAP clearly outlines the strengths and pitfalls of utility regulation, along with a number of fixes.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 22, 2016

Hawaiian regulators approve time-of-use rate pilot to aid solar integration

In an effort to shift electricity usage to daytime, Hawaii's PUC has approved a time-of-use rate program for HECO.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 22, 2016

Paris climate accord poised to come into force after 31 countries ratify

Adding in verbal commitments made yesterday from some nations, officials expect the agreement to soon have enough support to go into effect. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2016

How Southern California Edison's new rate case would transform the grid

SCE wants to spend $2.3 billion to ready its grid for distributed resources. Here's what that money would buy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2016

MISO proposes $2.76B transmission investment in 2016 expansion plan

The Midcontinent ISO transmission expansion plan includes 394 individual transmission projects.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2016

Environmentalists wary of Congress' rush to pass energy bill

Lawmakers are hoping to produce a broad energy bill this session, but environmentalists warn more than two dozen provisions could trigger backlash or a presidential veto.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2016

Developers wary as California prepares to open behind-the-meter storage to utilities

Two newly-passed bills seek to boost residential storage, but critics worry they could allow utilities to dominate the market.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2016

Updated: Local mayors, nuclear backers urge CPUC to deny PG&E's Diablo Canyon closure plan

Critics of the plan to replace the massive nuclear plant with renewables and efficiency say PG&E isn't properly measuring its potential impacts.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 20, 2016

With AEP deal, private equity continues gobbling up utility plants

Private equity was the winner, once again, in an auction of four AEP plants totaling 5,200 MW.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 20, 2016

Mass. Gov. Baker signs climate change executive order

The order aims to design a comprehensive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the state, setting interim emissions reduction target goals. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2016