California agency rolls out first CPUC audit in 20 years

Two days after a new legislative deal to reform the commission, an audit sheds light on improper contracts with private law firms and failure to maintain paperwork. 

By Robert Walton • July 1, 2016

SDG&E becomes first California utility to hit net metering cap

After San Diego Gas & Electric hit its net metering cap late yesterday afternoon, new applications will be shifted to new rates and fees outlined earlier this year. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 30, 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

A FERC challenge: Opening up electricity markets to advanced energy technologies

Grid operators should allow distributed resources and demand response to be priced for their unique attributes in organized markets, Arvin Ganesan and Suedeen Kelly argue in this guest post.

By Arvin Ganesan and Suedeen Kelly • June 30, 2016

New commissioner in tow, Hawaii PUC set to decide NextEra-HEI merger next week

Gov. David Ige intended to wait until a merger decision had been issued, but said he couldn't delay any longer in announcing Thomas Gorak to replace Commissioner Michael Champley on the Hawaii PUC.

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 30, 2016

Virginia Gov. McAuliffe issues executive order to cut GHG emissions

The governor directed state agencies to find a way to cut emissions from the power sector that does not need approval from the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

By Peter Maloney • June 30, 2016

After Diablo Canyon: PG&E CEO Tony Earley on renewables, DERs and California's energy future

The same resources pushing the giant nuclear plant offline will be key to the utility's future in a low carbon economy. 

By Gavin Bade • June 30, 2016

'Something's got to give': Why Wall St is uneasy with the renewable energy boom

Tax credit extensions are fueling huge renewables growth, but financiers are uneasy with how the buildout is manifesting itself.

By Peter Maloney • June 29, 2016

Seeking more renewables, Kit Carson Co-op exits relationship with Tri-State G&T

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative has exited its relationship with Tri-State Generation & Transmission and will buy renewable power from a private company instead.

By Peter Maloney • June 29, 2016

District of Columbia Council unanimously approves bill for 50% renewable energy mandate

The bill would also provide for 1,500 MW of new local wind and solar power, advocates said. 

By Peter Maloney • June 29, 2016

Gov. Brown, lawmakers strike deal for sweeping reforms at California PUC

In the wake of scandals over regulators' secret meetings with utility officials, California Gov. Jerry Brown is taking steps to expand public access to meetings and records, strengthen ex parte rules and create oversight positions.

By Robert Walton • June 29, 2016

US, Mexico, Canada pledge 50% renewables and nuclear by 2025 in new climate pact

The agreement, set to be be announced at a summit Wednesday, would set a 50% goal for power from wind, solar, nuclear and hydro facilities. 

By Gavin Bade • June 28, 2016

Dialogue before dispute: Clean energy groups call on regulators for uniform rate design approach

As distributed resources transform the electric grid, regulators in every state are struggling to design fair rates that encourage innovation. More than 30 stakeholder groups have now come together to recommend a unified set of principles to guide those deliberations.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 2016

Real estate values increase near wind farm, Colorado assessor finds

The county assessor in El Paso, Colorado, has found that real estate sales near a wind farm have been above assessed values.

By Peter Maloney • June 27, 2016

The new EV playbook: How utilities can gain from the coming boom in electric vehicles

Electric vehicles can offer power services at bargain prices if charging is done when and where utilities need it, a new RMI report notes. But getting the grid to that point is easier said than done.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 27, 2016

FERC upholds right of cooperatives to buy from independent generators

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has upheld the right of cooperatives to buy power under PURPA.

By Peter Maloney • June 27, 2016

California PUC issues revised self-generation rules favoring storage

The California Public Utilities Commission has revised the rules for its SGIP program.

By Peter Maloney • June 27, 2016

Ohio Gov. Kasich taps energy lawyer to fill vacant PUCO seat

If confirmed, Columbus attorney Howard Petricoff would be the first Democrat to serve on the commission in a year. 

By Robert Walton • June 27, 2016

3 transmission projects that illustrate the importance in modernizing the grid

Big power line expansions in ERCOT, SPP and MISO are helping shape a cleaner energy system, but building them was a slog.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 24, 2016

Exelon plans to build 200 MW wind farm in Ohio

Exelon's bid to build a wind farm comes after the utility backed measures to support phasing out wind credits a few years ago, which led AWEA to oust Exelon from the organization. 

By Peter Maloney • June 23, 2016

With Jon Wellinghoff, SolarCity looks to resolve net metering disputes in Nevada and elsewhere

SolarCity's new policy chief discusses Nevada's net metering battle and the company's policy strategy.

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 23, 2016

EIA: Clean Power Plan emissions cuts depend on state compliance decisions

Mass-based compliance will result in slightly larger reductions in carbon emissions, a new EIA assessment of Clean Power Plan compliance decisions estimates. 

By Gavin Bade • June 23, 2016

The DER pivot: Grid Edge Forum illustrates utility shift toward a distributed grid

Momentum is gathering behind a utility sector turn to distributed energy resources, attendees at the annual conference said this week. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 23, 2016

Illinois regulators greenlight stricter disclosure rules on utility donations

The state allows utilities like Commonwealth Edison to fund charitable donations with ratepayer funds, but will now require greater disclosure of where those funds go.

By Robert Walton • June 23, 2016

As SDG&E edges closer to net metering cap, solar installations not expected to slow

San Diego Gas & Electric is on the cusp of hitting California's net metering cap, which means NEM 2.0 kicks in with higher fees and time-of-use rates. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 22, 2016

Dominion, Sierra Club go to court in Chesapeake coal ash contamination case

The Sierra Club is suing Dominion Virginia Power for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act. 

By Shalina Chatlani • June 22, 2016