Maine lawmakers fail to override LePage veto of solar incentive bill

House lawmakers voted 96-52 for the bill on Friday morning, falling two short of the necessary margin to overrule the governor. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 2, 2016

Report: Massachusetts' solar fight spiked renewable lobbying efforts

Nearly two dozen renewable companies spent $1.5 million last year lobbying for policy changes, according to the Associated Press.

By Robert Walton • May 2, 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

Ohio PUC chairman Andre Porter submits resignation amid regulatory 'transition'

Concerns are being floated by lawmakers over the high turnover at the PUC. One lawmaker called the chairmanship of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio a "revolving door," and an issue that needs to be addressed.

By Robert Walton • May 2, 2016

Solar advocates, lawmakers drop dueling Arizona ballot initiatives in cease-fire

The cease-fire will allow for settlement talks in the hopes of reaching a compromise that will boost solar while addressing utility concerns.

By Robert Walton, Krysti Shallenberger • April 29, 2016

Colorado PUC denies Black Hills bid to purchase gas reserves

Regulators voted 3-0 against the plan, saying the utility failed to provide sufficient evidence on immediate and future costs.

By Robert Walton • April 29, 2016

Florida muni delays net metering decision until November election cycle

Staff on Jacksonville's public utility is looking to reduce net metering, but agreed to delay a decision until a utility-backed solar ballot initiative makes its way through the election cycle. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 29, 2016

Duke University backs push for third-party renewables sales in North Carolina

Duke's vice president of public affairs Michael Schoenfeld penned an open letter endorsing legislation aimed at legalizing third party financling for renewables systems, saying it will help the university meet its carbon goals. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 29, 2016

FERC blocks Ohio power plant subsidies for AEP and FirstEnergy

AEP's CEO said he has "no interest" in a long fight with FERC and the company will push to sell its Ohio plants and re-regulate the state's electricity market.

By Gavin Bade • April 28, 2016

Maine governor vetoes solar bill that would end retail rate net metering

Prospects for overriding the veto look slim in the House, where the measure passed without the two-thirds majority needed for a veto. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 28, 2016

Despite stay, EPA moves ahead with state renewable energy incentives for Clean Power Plan

The Clean Power Plan is tied up in court, but federal officials are pressing ahead with the clean energy incentives envisioned to exist alongside the new rules.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2016

Top 10 solar utilities see growth through declining prices, favorable policies

SCE, PG&E and Duke took home top honors from SEPA for the most solar capacity deployed by utilities in 2015.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 28, 2016

Ohio PUC Chair Andre Porter to step down, sources say

Though no formal announcement has been made, it appears Porter will step down after just more than a year heading the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2016

How rate reform can help turn energy efficiency into a 'profit center' for utilities

Traditional ratemaking makes energy efficiency a burden to utilities, but smart regulation can create opportunities for both revenue growth and power conservation.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 27, 2016

For grid flexibility, utilities pushed to think beyond gas plants and storage

There are more cost-effective methods to enhance the power system's responsiveness, a new paper reports.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 27, 2016

FERC to consider waivers for electric utilities purchasing gas pipeline capacity

Federal regulators will consider easing capacity release requirements to allow power generators greater access to gas supplies in the secondary market.

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2016

New York City launches Solarize program targeting 350 MW of new distributed solar by 2025

Solarize campaigns, started in Portland in 2009, help communities leverage group buying power to go solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 27, 2016

Energy appropriations bill 'underfunds' clean energy research, White House says

The energy appropriations bill faces little resistance in the Senate, but the White House has threatened to veto it over concerns about clean energy research.

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2016

Renewables in China & India: How two Asian giants struggle with inflexible power system operations

The "merit order" that ranks available generation resources according to marginal cost is largely absent in both countries, RAP analysts write, leading to higher emissions and lower renewable energy utilization.

By Max Dupuy and Ranjit Bharvirkar • April 26, 2016

Sierra Club files to stop retrofit of Arizona Public Service gas plant

The environmental group says the way the utility plans to use the new generators would produce about as much carbon dioxide pollution as a coal plant. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 26, 2016

What the Hughes v. Talen Supreme Court decision means for state power incentives

A narrow ruling means big questions still remain for renewable energy and recent power subsidies approved in Ohio.

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2016

Biomass amendments in energy legislation spark debate over 'carbon-neutrality'

Dozens of environmental groups say they cannot support the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 because of how it treats carbon emissions from biomass generation.

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2016

Arizona utilities back initiative to counter SolarCity-supported ballot proposal

Days after solar advocates announced a ballot proposal to protect net metering in Arizona, a state lawmaker has a competing proposal she says has the support of the state's regulated utilities. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2016

ComEd touts new solar incentives in Illinois legislative push

The utility has a slate of proposals in front of state lawmakers and on Friday, announced new rebates for solar customers to accompany proposed rate changes.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2016

As utilities build toward RPS standards, costs, carve-outs raise concerns

An LBNL report shows utilities are largely meeting their renewable energy targets, but new challenges are emerging.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2016

Report: Big US utilities shelled out $400M in political spending

Litigation and political donations highlight how utilities are "digging in their heels" when it comes to the changing business landscape, according to Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute Executive Director Jon Lukomnik.

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2016