Portland General Electric pushes to add 860 MW gas, 50 MW solar capacity to Carty plant

PGE and Oregon's other investor-owned utilities must hit 50% renewable energy and stop using coal-fired electricity by 2040. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2016

Texas low-income ratepayer assist program ends after funds run out

Three years ago, lawmakers rescinded a surcharge that funded a program aimed at helping 700,000 low-income ratepayers pay their electrical bill. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 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

US, China ratify Paris climate deal

Republicans criticized the President's ratification through executive action, saying it was a move to avoid input from lawmakers.  

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2016

Facing stricter climate goals, California passes 4 bills to boost energy storage

The bills require the state to consider pumped hydro storage, add 500 MW to the state's storage mandate and double California's self-generation program.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2016

California targets clean transport, urban greening for $900M in cap-and-trade funds

After some lawmakers pushed back on an extension of greenhouse gas goals last month, Gov. Jerry Brown struck a last-minute deal to dole out funds from the state's carbon auctions. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 2, 2016

DOE: Converting Colstrip coal plant to carbon capture would cost $1.2B

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock requested the analysis in hopes of saving the 2,094 MW plant, which is slated for retirement.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 2, 2016

Virginia hearing examiner confirms legality of 3rd party solar PPAs

Appalachian Power had argued that solar power purchase agreements from third parties for the residential sector were not allowed in the state. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2016

CPUC reform bill stalls in California legislature

The bill would have required the California Public Utilities Commission to hire an independent ethics ombudsman, and was one of a group of bills aimed at reforming the CPUC. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2016

Winds of change: How the industry can continue wind power's boom into the 2020s

Better grid integration and lower tech costs will be key to continuing wind's record growth, but big market and policy obstacles are looming. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 1, 2016

Nevada regulator blocks SolarCity from grandfathering proceedings

The interests of SolarCity's customers are best represented by the Attorney General's office, the Nevada PUC chair ruled. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 1, 2016

Duke, solar developers strike interconnection deal in North Carolina

The utility has reached an agreement with solar developers that will allow their projects to move forward, but gives Duke Energy authorization to disconnect systems if issues arise.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 1, 2016

Report: US, China to ratify historic Paris climate deal

The announcement could come tomorrow, days ahead of the Group of 20 meeting in China this weekend.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 1, 2016

Mutual needs, mutual challenges: How corporate PPAs are remaking the renewables sector

Large companies want renewables and developers are eager to sell. The consequences for utilities could be immense.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 1, 2016

Maryland fines NRG Energy $1M for nitrogen pollution from coal plants

NRG will also pay $1 million to support environmental restoration projects $10 million to upgrade the wastewater filtration systems at the two plants. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 31, 2016

Location matters: Utilities focus on charger placement to drive electric vehicle adoption

EV pilot programs from Avista and Kansas City Power & Light demonstrate that just building charging stations isn't enough.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2016

Trump or Clinton: What the power sector's future could look like under the next president

While the president has limited direct influence over the trajectory of the utility industry, there are important policy levers for either candidate’s aims.  

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 31, 2016

Solar groups pour money into Arizona utility regulatory election

Solar power funds are pouring into the five-way race for three seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission, with SolarCity leading the pack.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 30, 2016

Decommissioning costs: A blind spot in the nuclear power debate

In nuclear policy debates, too little thought is given to the costs of storing radioactive waste on site, argues the University of Pennsylvania's Christina Simeone. 

By Christina Simeone • Aug. 30, 2016

Public purpose microgrids: Mixed-ownership models spur utility investment in growing sector

Thinking of microgrids as public infrastructure — and financing them like it — could point the industry to new growth.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 30, 2016

Ohio regulators strike down Dayton Power & Light rate stability fees

It is the second time this year the court ruled against customer charges designed to stabilize utility revenues during a transition period.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2016

Hawaii Court upholds appointment of PUC regulator Thomas Gorak

Thomas Gorak will remain on the Public Utilities Commission until the Senate confirms his appointment next May. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2016

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

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