Updated: DC ratepayer advocate, Attorney General file for reconsideration of Exelon-Pepco deal

OPC, Grid 2.0 Working Group and other merger intervenors say the procedure for merger approval was legally flawed.

By Gavin Bade • April 22, 2016

On Earth Day, natural gas is the power sector's biggest environmental problem

Gas played a big role in stabilizing U.S. emissions, but the world will need to look beyond the fuel if it wants to hit the goals laid out in the Paris Climate Accord.

By Gavin Bade • April 22, 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

Weaker winds slowed wind energy output growth in 2015

The 5.1% increase in wind energy output last year was the smallest since 1999, EIA reports, thanks to slow wind speeds in the West.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 22, 2016

Feds move offshore wind lease areas from North to South Carolina

The shift came after North Carolina officials raised concerns about wind projects' effects on ocean views and whale habitat. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 22, 2016

Declining prices, stable outlook drive utilities, large companies to wind power

Natural gas is the new power sector leader, but utilities are increasingly looking to renewables, especially wind, as a hedge against long-term gas price volatility and future environmental regulations.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 21, 2016

SolarCity ends support for watchdog group investigating Arizona regulators

The watchdog group Checks and Balances project had sought to expose communications between Arizona regulators, utility executives, and members of an outside political group. 

By Herman Trabish, Gavin Bade • April 21, 2016

Indiana Supreme Court rules to keep lawmaker-utility emails private

But it was a partial victory for open records advocates, with the court finding the legislature is subject freedom of information laws.

By Robert Walton • April 21, 2016

Updated: Senate passes first broad energy legislation since 2007

The bill from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) would boost efficiency programs and ease project siting, but it must be reconciled with a House bill that earned a veto threat from President Obama.

By Gavin Bade • April 20, 2016

NY utilities, solar companies propose transition away from retail net metering

In what seems an unlikely alliance, a group of New York utilities and solar companies have filed a proposal to require payment from major solar farms or big C&I solar arrays to make up for the cost-shift instead of changes in residential net metering. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 20, 2016

Citing favorable policy climate, Sunrun expands operations in South Carolina

Solar supports put in place by 2014's Act 236 made the South Carolina decision an easy one, company officials said. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 20, 2016

Former ACC chair leads push for Arizona ballot measure to protect solar

A new constitutional amendment pushed by solar installers would preserve retail rate net metering and prevent solar-specific rate changes through 2022.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 20, 2016

Green groups sue Duke Energy for Clean Water Act violations from coal ash

The Roanoke River Basin Association and the Southern Environmental Law Center announced last Monday that they will sue Duke Energy for violations of the federal Clean Water Act at its Mayo Steam plant. 

By Shalina Chatlani • April 20, 2016

SDG&E 'ahead of the curve' to meet California's 50% RPS with help from storage

Ahead of schedule in meeting RPS targets, San Diego Gas & Electric looks to storage and energy efficiency to accommodate more renewables.

By Peter Maloney • April 19, 2016

Updated: Supreme Court rules in FERC's favor in Hughes v. Talen power case

Not all incentive programs supporting in-state generation are illegal, the court ruled, but Maryland's initiative stepped on FERC's exclusive jurisdiction over wholesale market rates.

By Gavin Bade • April 19, 2016

FERC seeks input from ISOs on possible market barriers to energy storage

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has given wholesale market operators until May 2 to docment barriers that may exist to adding energy storage resources to their grids.

By Peter Maloney • April 19, 2016

'Graceful transition': ISO-NE's CEO on how wholesale markets can ease decarbonization

A well-designed capacity market can help ensure reliability at high levels of renewable energy penetration, argues ISO-New England's Gordon van Welie.

By Gavin Bade • April 19, 2016

New York, Connecticut under fire for use of RGGI funds

New York and Connecticut have come under fire for proposals to use funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auctions for uses other than efficiency and clean energy.

By Robert Walton • April 19, 2016

SEIA President Rhone Resch steps down after 12 years

The national trade group for solar companies grew from 65 members to more than 1,000 under Resch's leadership.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 19, 2016

North Carolina regulators reject solar third party ownership test case from green group

Duke Energy welcomed the decision, which sees it preserve its status as a monopoly electricity provider in its service area.  

By Herman K. Trabish • April 19, 2016

Senate could vote this week on broad energy bill amendments

Voting on individual energy amendments could begin today, followed by a broader decision on The Energy Policy Modernization Act.

By Robert Walton • April 19, 2016

Utilities should join us in working toward a 21st century rate design

A consumer advocate, solar lobbyist and environmental activist say utilities should join opt for collaboration, not confrontation, in designing new rate structures. 

By John Howat, Rick Gilliam, Samantha Williams • April 18, 2016

Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii Gas cancel LNG import terminal agreement

Hawaiian Electric wants to import gas as a cheaper alternative to fuel oil, but critics call it a distraction from efforts to get to 100% renewables. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 18, 2016

Will LA's historic gas leak knock Hollywood's lights out this summer?

California's energy agencies are pushing a slew of measures to compensate for the Aliso Canyon gas leak, but the larger issue of the state's natural gas reliance remains.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 18, 2016

Maine lawmakers near approval of solar incentive bill, but still lack votes for veto override

Gov. Paul LePage, a frequent critic of renewable energy policies, is expected to veto the bill. 

By Gavin Bade, Herman Trabish • April 15, 2016

Senate reaches deal to forge ahead with sweeping energy bill

Holds by Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) have been lifted, allowing debate on the broad energy measure to move forward.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2016