'Wake up worrying': NextEra-Hawaiian Electric merger in doubt as regulators near decision time

NextEra's bid to buy Hawaiian Electric has failed to inspire state energy stakeholders, but the merger proceeding isn't a popularity contest.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2016

Missouri lawmakers skeptical of Ameren plan to overhaul rate cases

Residential customers could see rates rise more than 60% over the next 10 years, according to one official from the Missouri Public Service Commission.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 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

New Arizona law delays solar installation 60 days, drawing ire from advcates

SB 1417 also imposes new disclosure burdens on installers which they say aim to slow solar growth

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2016

As RPS importance declines, 3 factors help drive growth for utility-scale solar

For the first time, most utility-scale solar development this year won't be driven by renewable portfolio standards. Instead, voluntary utility procurement, PURPA contracts and corporate interest are boosting the market, along with some nascent activity in the merchant generation space.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 5, 2016

Wisconsin governor lifts new nuclear moratorium

The new law allows utility regulators to approve nuclear power plants ahead of “nonrenewable combustible energy resources”

By Herman K. Trabish • April 5, 2016

DOE's partnership with CLEP to advance a transmission project could spread to others

The Department of Energy's decision to exercise its eminent domain authority to help advance one tranmission project could have implications for the similarly embattled Grain Belt Express line. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 5, 2016

Report: SunEdison plans to file for bankruptcy

SunEdison is planning to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it also faces an investigation from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 4, 2016

How DOE is leveraging federal authority to ease transmission development

The Dept. of Energy is exercising powers that allow it to speed siting and construction of interstate transmission, but not everyone is pleased.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 4, 2016

Xcel Wisconsin requests another rate increase to cover clean energy, infrastructure investments

This request marks the 12th straight year that Xcel Energy's Wisconsin arm requested a rate increase. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 4, 2016

New Arizona utility regulator intends to run for open seat despite conflict of interest

Former State Rep. Andy Tobin, now serving on the Arizona Corporation Commission, has announced he will run for an open seat on the commission regardless of how lawmakers handle his potential conflict of interest.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2016

Palo Alto city to pay double wholesale market price for solar energy contracts

The City Council of Palo Alto voted 6-1 to allow solar developers to sell solar energy at $0.16/kWh. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 2, 2016

Florida Supreme Court approves language for utility-backed solar amendment

The approval means the amendment pushed by the utility-backed Consumers for Solar Choice will land a place on the 2016 ballot in November. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 1, 2016

NRG Energy says Ivanpah output on track to meet its contracts

NRG Energy said the concentrating solar plant, the largest in the world, is on track to meet its output goals. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 1, 2016

Ohio PUC approves AEP, FirstEnergy plant subsidy requests

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved requests to guarantee income for some aging nuclear and coal plants for American Electric Power and FirstEnergy, but modified the proposals to ensure rate stabilization for consumers. 

By Krysti Shallenberger, Gavin Bade • March 31, 2016

Oregon PUC rejects PacifiCorp bid to trim PURPA contracts

The news comes as a blow to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Energy, whose utilities have sought to shorten PURPA contract lengths in several states.

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 31, 2016

Chicago's REV: How ComEd is reinventing itself as a smart energy platform

ComEd wants to be the platform for a dynamic and distributed grid, but how they'll earn revenue on it remains an open question. Utility Dive spoke with CEO Anne Pramaggiore to learn more. 

By Gavin Bade • March 31, 2016

Maine solar power bill passes legislative committee

Maine's landmark solar bill was passed out of legislative committee and into the House of Representatives, but advocates fear it will not garner enough votes to potenially override Gov. Paul LePage's veto. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 31, 2016

Massachusetts solar sector boosts pressure on lawmakers to lift net metering cap

Eversource Energy is about 200 kW from hitting the caps on private and public projects, fueling desperation among the solar sector pressuring lawmakers to lift the cap. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 31, 2016

Will utilities become Uber for DERs?

As the industry debates the role of the utility in a distributed energy future, utility leaders are touting a network approach.

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 30, 2016

Minnesota rural co-ops tack on high fixed charges on solar customers

Minnesota's rural electric cooperatives are adding fixed charges which can total as much as $50 dollars for solar customers. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 30, 2016

Arizona public utility data shows some savings with demand charge

But other customers paid significantly more if they did not alter their energy usage during peak demand. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 29, 2016

Vermont regulators propose new net metering rules

The proposal would keep net energy metering and reward beneficial siting while giving renewable energy certificates to utilities. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 29, 2016

Louisiana PSC approves Cleco takeover

After initially rejecting the deal, state regulators approved the acquisition of Cleco by an international consortium led by Macquarie Infrastructure & Real Assets.

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 29, 2016

'Eternal vigilance': DC regulators on the Exelon-Pepco merger and what's next for the PSC

After a 2-1 vote to create the nation's largest utility company, Utility Dive obtained exclusive interviews with regulators on opposing sides of the decision. Here's what they had to say. 

By Gavin Bade • March 29, 2016

How utility collaboration can cut community solar costs up to 40%

A new brief from the Rocky Mountain Institute reveals lessons from its field work in supporting shared solar development.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 28, 2016