Maryland co-op challenges state's new community solar program

The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative has petitioned FERC to over Maryland's community solar program, saying regulators violated federal law by making them purchase excess energy at a retail rate. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 29, 2016

Indiana regulators approve settlement for Duke's Edwardsport coal plant

Under the agreement, Duke Indiana ratepayers will bear a 2% rate increase, instead of a proposed 3.6% increase to cover the costs of the coal gasification plant. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 29, 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

California PUC reform bill awaits Gov. Brown's signature after senate passage

The bill would require regulators to disclose any ex parte communication and increase penalties to $50,000 per violation. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2016

California solar project shot down after clearing federal environmental permits

A 287-MW solar project on the edge of the Mojave Desert won all federal permits, but was voted down by county supervisors over concerns about the impact to the bighorn sheep habitat. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 26, 2016

Headwinds ahead: Solar companies trim deployment expectations ahead of possible slowdown

A glut of modules and the ITC extension could temper the solar sector's rapid growth. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 26, 2016

DOE's SunShot program faces scrutiny for anti-lobbying violations

A House oversight committee wants to know if the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and Clean Energy States Alliance used federal funds to lobby for state solar subsidies.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2016

Arizona regulator subpoenas APS in political influence probe

Regulatory hearings over solar issues are being overshadowed by allegations of improper influence at the Arizona Corporation Commission.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 26, 2016

Walking a tightrope: ACC Chair Doug Little looks for balance in Arizona's solar debate

Arizona's head utility regulator says the state's ongoing value of solar docket will be key in informing future rate design.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 25, 2016

Rising natural gas costs boosted MISO power prices from June to July

Gas and wind continue to push coal generation down the dispatch stack, with coal plants on the margin more than 80% of the time.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 25, 2016

California lawmakers vote to extend greenhouse gas goals

California's Legislature passed two bills extending the climate change goals and legislative oversight of the California Air Resources Board yesterday. Both now await the governor's signature. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2016

Report: Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper mulls 35% cut in carbon emissions by 2030

A draft executive order, obtained by Denver Business Journal, would require Colorado to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 35% by 2030, relative to 2012 levels.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2016

EIA: North Carolina top state for PURPA-qualified solar projects

North Carolina has the second most independent power producer (IPP) solar plants and the most PURPA solar plants, according to the EIA.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 24, 2016

FERC approves CAISO tariff changes for demand response, distributed storage

Federal regulators approved California Independent System Operator tariff changes that tweak how non-generator resources bid into markets.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2016

Electricity customer choice out-performs traditional monopoly

Wayne Kuipers from Energy Choice Now and former Chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission, Laura Chappelle, argue how 

By Wayne Kuipers and Laura Chappelle • Aug. 23, 2016

Fixed charge battle looms in Texas as regulators tackle rate design reform

A legislative effort to chart new ratemaking mechanisms in the Lone Star State has the utility sector drawing familiar battle lines.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 23, 2016

Industrial customers could depart Wisconsin over high electrical rates

The state's Strategic Energy Assessment 2022 finds rates are rising for all customer classes, though generation is expected to be adequate.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2016

Rocky Mountain compromise: Inside Xcel's landmark Colorado solar settlement

In a summer of solar contention, Colorado stakeholders chose a path of less-resistance. Their deal could be a model for more than just rate design.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 22, 2016

Landowner groups seek to block DOE approval of Clean Line transmission project

The Department of Energy signed on to the 700-mile, 4,000 MW Plains & Eastern Clean Line Project in March, but landowners are questioning the agency's decision-making process.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2016

Arizona utility regulator mulls inquiry into political influence allegations

Commissioner Andy Tobin voted earlier this month to block an investigation into outside influences on the utility ratemaking process, but may favor an outside consultant handling the inquiry.  

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2016

El Paso Electric drops demand charge push as regulators approve solar settlement

El Paso Electric reached a settlement with stakeholders last month to drop a demand charge targeted at rooftop solar users.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 19, 2016

So close, so far: Can Maine put its near-agreement on solar net metering back together again?

Supporters of a compromise incentive failed to override Gov. LePage's veto, plunging the state back into a net metering debate and grinding the state's solar sector to a halt. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 19, 2016

California lawmakers propose spending plan for $1.2B in cap-and-trade funds

The plan would spend $500 million on lower-carbon transportation solutions, and almost $400 million on environmental justice and urban pollution.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 19, 2016

NV Energy stays neutral on energy choice ballot measure

Voters in Nevada will decide this November whether to open the state's energy marketplace to competition. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 19, 2016

Nevada report: Rooftop solar customers shift $36M in annual costs to other ratepayers

The report is an update from a 2014 paper that found $36M in annual benefits from rooftop solar on the system. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 18, 2016

New York's Clean Energy Standard is a key step toward pricing carbon pollution fairly

Editor's note: The following is a guest post from Denise Grab a senior attorney and Dr. Burcin Unel, a senior economist at the Institute for Policy Integrity at New York University School of Law, which filed party comments in the New York Public Service Commission’s Clean Energy ...

By Denise Grab and Burcin Unel • Aug. 18, 2016