SPP CEO: Regionalization, transmission help push renewables penetration near 50%

Southwest Power Pool CEO Nick Brown says he sees solar, storage and more footprint expansion coming in the next five years.

By Gavin Bade • May 26, 2016

Ohio regulators grant rehearing for AEP plant subsidy request

After the feds stepped in, AEP slimmed down its income guarantee proposal from 3,100 MW to 440 MW.

By Gavin Bade • May 26, 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

Strange bedfellows: How solar and utilities struck a net metering compromise in New York

Communication and a forward-thinking regulatory framework are key to finding middle ground. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 26, 2016

New York lawmakers introduce bill to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

The bill does not call for 100% renewable energy explicitly, but would require the state to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions 100% below 1990 levels by midcentury. 

By Gavin Bade, Krysti Shallenberger • May 26, 2016

Brookings: Net metering is a net benefit for utilities and all ratepayers

A new report from Brookings reviewed reports from a wide spectrum of utility regulatory bodies, national laboratories, academic and think tank reports, concluding that net metering is a good thing.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 26, 2016

Hawaiian Electric could hit some rooftop solar caps next month, filing warns

A group of solar interests says the caps on the customer grid supply tariff on Maui could be hit in the second week of June.

By Gavin Bade • May 26, 2016

Across the 'valley of death': How the wind industry will cope without tax credits

Tax incentives are spurring so much renewables growth that states could meet their Clean Power Plan targets ahead of the compliance period. That could mean a slowdown for the wind industry, which was counting on the regulatory package to sustain growth. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 25, 2016

Efficiency, gas plants push PJM capacity auction prices below expectations

Lower prices could make some higher-cost power plants uneconomic, and Exelon announced two of its nuclear plants did not clear the auction.

By Robert Walton • May 25, 2016

SolarCity: Nevada rooftop solar delivers 1.6¢/kWh in net benefits to grid

A new report from the leading rooftop solar installer argues previous analyses of solar's value to the state have been incomplete.

By Gavin Bade • May 24, 2016

Two years after EPA's coal ash rule, progress depends on states

North Carolina’s struggle with coal ash illustrates the persisting issues with the federal rules meant to govern its disposal.

By Shalina Chatlani • May 24, 2016

A grid of DERs: DOE program aims for 100% solar penetration on the distribution system

The new SunShot program will dole out $25M to solutions aimed at integrating truly unprecedented amounts of distributed generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 24, 2016

The U.S. needs more transmission. One Midwest project could provide a collaborative model.

A new report outlines how 11 utilities leaped big hurdles to build the 800-mile CapX2020 project.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 23, 2016

Arizona begins hearings on co-op plan for higher fixed charges, lower net metering rates

The Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative rate case request includes a special charge to rooftop solar customers and a cut in net metering rates.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 23, 2016

Florida Supreme Court strikes down FPL's gas drilling investments

State regulators overreached in allowing FPL to become the first electric utility in the country to directly finance gas drilling, Florida's highest court ruled last week.

By Robert Walton • May 23, 2016

New York PSC enacts new revenue models for utilities in REV proceeding

Utilities in the Empire State have new options to earn revenue, though the traditional cost-of-service model was preserved by regulators as well.

By Gavin Bade • May 20, 2016

North Carolina bill would sharply restrict utility-scale renewables siting

The bill would require developers to conceal solar farms and keep the noise from wind facilities to near the volume of a human whisper. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 20, 2016

DOE releases comprehensive overview of efforts to cut solar costs

The SunShot program is 5 years into its 10 year run and 70% of the way to cutting solar cost to $0.06/kWh.  

By Herman K. Trabish • May 20, 2016

Power sector preparing for EMP attack among grid risks, EEI official tells Senate

The power sector is working with the federal government to harden the grid against a potential electromagnetic pulse attack, and to develop restoration strategies in the event one is successful.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2016

Bill to delay EPA ozone rule passes committee, moves to full House

Along party lines, Republicans in the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a measure to alter provisions of the Clean Air Act.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2016

Hawaiian Electric proposes major plan to import LNG as bridge to 100% renewables

Hawaiian Electric wants to import liquefied natural gas under a 20-year contract with Fortis, but the proposal is contingent on the state's approval of the utility's merger with NextEra Energy.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2016

Caps raised, New Hampshire turns attention to imminent struggle over solar value

A new law that raised net metering caps also directed state regulators to devise a new solar incentive program within 10 months. Already some innovative proposals are surfacing. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 19, 2016

Nevada governor's task force committee recommends grandfathering rooftop solar customers

A group on the energy task force convened by Gov. Brian Sandoval has passed a resolution recommending grandfathering, and it could end up being included in a future energy bill. 

By Gavin Bade • May 19, 2016

Hunt withdraws previously-approved bid to acquire Oncor

Though Hunt says it is still trying to salvage a deal, the door could be open for other suitors, like NextEra.

By Gavin Bade • May 19, 2016

Massachusetts must do more to cut carbon emissions, state Supreme Court rules

The case is a win for Our Children’s Trust, a youth advocacy group making climate challenges around the country.

By Robert Walton • May 19, 2016

Maine cities put solar plans on hold as state awaits regulators' action on net metering

National solar installers lobbied against the bill, saying it would give utilities too much power, but local developers worry a PUC review of net metering could ultimately be worse for their industry.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 19, 2016