Arizona lawmakers pass bill altering conflict-of-interest standards for utility regulators

The measure, expected to be signed by Gov. Doug Ducey, would allow one of his appointees to vote in proceedings involving SolarCity despite a familial connection. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 10, 2016

Florida PSC open seat draws wide range of applicants

Commissioner Lisa Polak Edgar is not seeking a fourth term on the Florida Public Service Commission.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

New policy and business actions are giving a significant boost to renewable energy in the U.S., but opposition is growing and grid interconnection, permitting, labor and other challenges remain.

By Utility Dive staff

South Carolina bill would ban citizen suits for enforcement of state pollution laws

The bill, a version of one passed last year in the Senate, needs only one more vote before going to Gov. Nikki Haley.

By Shalina Chatlani • May 9, 2016

ComEd jumps on the demand charge train with new Illinois proposal

Residential demand charges have been most popular in the Southwest, but the Chicago-based utility features them prominently in a new legislative push.

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2016

California Gov. Brown calls for independent safety monitor for utility infrastructure

The proposed Division of Safety Advocates aims to prevent disasters like the San Bruno pipeline explosion and Aliso Canyon methane leak.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 9, 2016

Study: Coast Guard push to limit offshore wind development

In a new study, a working group from the Coast Guard worry offshore wind development could increase the chances of accidents and hurt shipping traffic. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 9, 2016

Updated: Exelon says 2 nuke plants on the line in sweeping new Illinois energy bill

The Next Generation Energy Plan, announced yesterday, would touch virtually every aspect of the state's power industry. Without it, Exelon plans to retire two challenged nuclear plants.

By Peter Maloney • May 6, 2016

NV Energy expands Green Energy Rider program to large customers

The program will now allow customers with demand of 1 MW or higher to source half or all of their electricity from solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 6, 2016

Weeks after law's passage, New Hampshire utilities near net metering cap for large solar

The ink has barely dried on a new law in New Hampshire raising net metering caps and already, one utility says it's nearly maxed out on large projects.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 6, 2016

Never heard of the Clean Power Plan? You're not alone.

Two new polls, one national and the other conducted in Texas, show most Americans have never heard of the Obama administration's signature climate plan.

By Robert Walton • May 6, 2016

Hawaii lawmakers to reconcile competing proposals for renewables, storage incentives

These proposals aim to ensure low-income families could purchase distributed generation systems and a tax break for energy storage for up to 25% of the costs. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2016

4 drivers of solar growth utilities need to know

Record solar growth forecasted in 2016 will rely on four key themes and one unifying trend, GTM Research says.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2016

Can the House and Senate turn two energy bills into one law?

Congress is a conference committee away from passing the first broad energy legislation in nearly a decade, but the House and Senate remain far apart on some key issues and a veto threat from the White House hangs over negotiations.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2016

Massachusetts lawmakers mull 2,000 MW offshore wind mandate

Two state lawmakers are working with developers to craft a bill that could come by the end of the month.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 5, 2016

Texas regulators delay decision on Hunt's bid for Oncor

Texas regulators have delayed a decision on whether or not to reconsider Hunt Consolidated's plan to purchase Oncor out of bankruptcy, but Dallas' mayor came out in support of the plan. 

By Robert Walton • May 5, 2016

California green energy bills target gas storage safety, protecting low-income communities

Environmental and social justice groups are backing more than a dozen bills in the California legislature.

By Robert Walton • May 5, 2016

DOE's new $25M solar fund seeks development of distributed energy grid solutions

The ENERGISE program, part of the Department of Energy's SunShot initiative, seeks to fund grid technologies to manage high penetrations of distributed energy on utility systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 4, 2016

Making sense of Q1's monster M&A activity in the power sector

Beyond cheap gas and stagnant load growth, merger activity went gangbusters in the United States last quarter because we've entered a period of fundamental change.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2016

ACC approves TEP plans for renewables, storage, but not utility-owned solar

Arizona regulators approved an expansion in renewable energy investments and two storage pilot projects, but deferred a decision on utility-owned rooftop and community solar projects to TEP's general rate case.

By Gavin Bade • May 4, 2016

Puerto Rico energy storage project tests load shifting capabilities of hybrid batteries

An energy storage project in Puerto Rico will test the ability of hybrid batteries to shift load in response to the territory's storage mandate. 

By Peter Maloney • May 3, 2016

Oklahoma utility proposes demand charges to cover distributed energy costs

Oklahoma Gas & Electric is seeking approval to change its rate structure in order to adapt to accommodate distributed resources.

By Peter Maloney • May 3, 2016

Inside the deal that averted a net metering ballot showdown in Arizona

After intervention by the governor, plans for dueling ballot initiatives have given way to mediated negotiations between APS and SolarCity.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 3, 2016

Conservative groups work to chill state funding for Clean Power Plan

At least seven states have passed or are considering measures to restrict spending on Clean Power Plan efforts while the rule is locked up in the courts.

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2016

At 16.4 MW, largest U.S. rooftop solar array will utilize LA muni's feed-in-tariff

The project, planned by developer PermaCity, is slated for four warehouses in the San Pedro community.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 3, 2016

Paul Thomsen, head of Nevada PUC, sees 'bright future' for rooftop solar

The chair of Nevada's regulatory body defends his commission's controversial net metering decisions in an interview with Utility Dive. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 2, 2016