FERC audit pushes greater independence for SPP market monitor

SPP does not have an independent market monitor and that appears unlikely to change after the audit.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2016

House passes Department of Interior, EPA spending bill

The $32.1 billion spending bill is $1 billion less than requested by the Obama Adminsitration, and contains provisions to limit environmental regulations for power plants enacted by the Environmental Protection Agency.

By Robert Walton • July 18, 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

UPDATED: NextEra, Hawaiian Electric terminate merger after PUC rejection

Hawaii regulators rejected the merger application Friday, leaving the door open for future ownership changes at the state's dominant utility. 

By Davide Savenije , Krysti Shallenberger • July 18, 2016

California PUC rejects proposed Sempra gas pipeline

Sempra had requested $621 in rate increases for power and gas customers to finance construction of the pipeline. 

By Peter Maloney • July 18, 2016

Deepwater Wind proposes largest offshore wind farm in US

The 90 MW wind farm is proposed for a tract 30 miles off the New York coast. 

By Peter Maloney • July 18, 2016

RIP FITs: As US feed-in tariffs fade, adopting elements could spur solar growth

Feed-in tariffs worked well until renewable energy prices fell, but aspects of the incentive scheme could still drive growth in the C&I sector.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 18, 2016

Virginia regulators uphold law freezing Dominion's rates for 5 years

The decision could birth a state Supreme Court challenge of the measure, which gave lawmakers the authority to freeze rates instead of utility regulators.

By Robert Walton • July 18, 2016

Arizona regulators approve APS demand management, efficiency programs

Approval will allow APS to develop strategies to integrate storage into their demand management programs.

By Peter Maloney • July 15, 2016

Missouri PSC procedural decision delays Grain Belt Express transmission hearings

The Missouri PSC has rejected Clean Line Energy's Grain Belt Express transmission project on procedural grounds, forcing the company to delay submission of its application until Aug. 29.

By Peter Maloney • July 15, 2016

Evolution of REV: New York PSC Chair Audrey Zibelman says 2016 is the year of execution

Consumers can expect to see the early tangible benefits from REV by the end of 2018, Zibelman told Utility Dive.

By Krysti Shallenberger • July 15, 2016

Florida lawmakers to raise money for solar proposal on August primary ballot

Amendment 4, separate from a utility-backed proposal appearing on the November general election ballot, will give tax breaks for C&I customers investing in clean energy. 

By Robert Walton • July 15, 2016

How well do consumers understand rooftop solar economics?

A Federal Trade Commission workshop on competition and consumer protection in the DG solar power industry attracted a wide range of comments.

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

Democratizing DERs: What role should utilities play in spreading clean energy to all?

Everyone knows the utility has some role to play in making distributed energy resources available to all customers. But no one seems to agree on what it is. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • July 14, 2016

Nevada clears net metering, retail choice measures for November ballot

The net metering proposal must yet withstand a legal challenge over whether the proposal qualifies as a referendum or an initiative that would have to go to the legislature before it could be put on the ballot.

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

California Gov. Brown proposes extension of cap-and-trade program to 2050

The extension aims to help the state cut carbon emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2031. 

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

Obama threatens veto $32.1B Department of Interior, EPA spending bill

The U.S. House is considering appropriations for the Department of Interior and Environmental Protection Agency that are $1 billion less than requested by the Obama administration with policy riders designed to block rules on power plant emissions. 

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2016

Dominion coal ash suit could have nationwide disposal consequences

A case brought by the Sierra Club against the Virginia utility could end up at the Supreme Court.

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2016

Data storage provider sues NV Energy, Nevada PUC to exit Nevada Power service

The lawsuit alleges utility regulators were improperly influenced by General Counsel Carolyn Tanner, who resigned in the wake of the revelation she inappropriately commented on pending matters on Twitter while using a pseudonym. 

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2016

Hawaii PUC investigates anonymous 'smear' complaint against new commissioner

A 10-page unsigned document questioned how Gov. David Ige appointed Thomas Gorak to replace former Commissioner Michael Champley last month. 

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2016

How to keep the lights on in organized markets

States must seek ways to inject new generation or preserve existing generation through ‘around market’ solutions, former Colorado reuglatory chair Ray Gifford argues.

By Ray Gifford • July 13, 2016

Utility clean energy rankings reveal 'unprecedented shift' in power sector paradigms

Even among renewable energy laggards, there's a growing consensus that wind and solar are at the center of the 21st century electricity system.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2016

Duke will boost North Carolina EV charging stations 30% as part of EPA settlement

The investment stems from a legal deal with the EPA concerning alleged violations of the Clean Air Act in the 1990s.

By Peter Maloney • July 13, 2016

Senate votes to convene first energy bill conference committee since 2007

Lawmakers only have until the end of the week before their August recess, but the break could give staff time to work on critical issues.

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2016

Clinton will not pursue carbon price despite policy's inclusion in Democratic platform

Putting a price on carbon was a priority of Clinton's primary challenger Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who endorsed her this week. 

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2016

Electric market deregulation has failed to deliver on the promise of lower rates

States that kept the vertically-integrated utility model have benefitted from lower prices for consumers, Gerry Anderson, CEO of DTE Energy, writes in a guest post.

By Gerry Anderson • July 12, 2016