Can performance-based regulation unlock the utility of the future?

Fewer rate cases and smart performance incentives could drive utilities to innovate, according to a new paper.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2016

Kansas utility legislation wants smaller, more frequent rate hikes

A Missouri senator proposes amending the state's century-old utility law to allow for more frequent, and predictable, rate increases, but critics say it could lead to weaker regulatory oversight. 

By Robert Walton • March 17, 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

Report: US generators face $2B in lost revenues from rooftop solar

As more homes install rooftop solar, a report from ICF International finds that grid operators plan to cut the amount of conventional generation they purchase starting in 2019. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2016

Australian company unveils major 250 MW geothermal project in California's Salton Sea

Australian company, Controlled Thermal Resources, hopes to obtain regulatory approval through economies of scale and providing a baseload resource to offset intermittant wind and solar resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2016

Ohio's new clean energy ballot initiative sparks concern among utilities

A new ballot initiative would enable Ohio to issue over $14 billion in bonds to foster the development of clean energy resources.

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 16, 2016

Why battery storage is key to a clean energy grid

In a guest post, former FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff argues that storage needs policy support to pave the way for the grid of the future.

By Jon Wellinghoff • March 16, 2016

Study: US offshore wind farms costs could drop 55% in 13 years

If wind developers commit to building 2,000 MW of new capacity, economies of scale will drive prices down 55% over 13 years, according to a new study. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 16, 2016

Vermont proposed legislation seeks to overhaul energy siting

The bill would give municipalities more say in where energy infrastructure is sited, especially renewables, and would provide incentives for decisions that do not impact property values.

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2016

ComEd forges ahead with ambitious microgrid plans amid legislative debate

A $4 million DOE grant could help ComEd build up to six microgrids in Chicago, depending on the outcome of pending legislation.

By Peter Maloney • March 15, 2016

Are residential demand charges the best rate reform for DERs?

The debate over rooftop solar is shifting in a new direction, with utilities and regulators examining new rate reform methods.

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 15, 2016

EPA: 11 states failed to submit sulfur dioxide pollution plans

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said those states have until late 2018 to reduce their pollution limits or finalize plans to do so. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 14, 2016

New York PSC request for $98.6M bond for energy service companies 'wild speculation,' critics say

Energy Service Companies, known as ESCOs, have come under scrutiny in New York for allegedly overcharging customers. The state wants the companies to post a bond, almost $100 million, to cover potential repayments.

By Robert Walton • March 14, 2016

Montana court upholds PSC order to keep original PURPA rates

A Montana judge upheld the state's utility regulators' decision to reject NorthWestern Energy's bid to reduce the established avoid cost rate paid to independent power producers under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 12, 2016

New Hampshire House passes bill to raise net metering cap to 100 MW

New Hampshire lawmakers look to revamp the state's net metering policy in the wake of dominant utility, Eversource Energy, hitting its net metering cap in January. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 12, 2016

Update: DC ratepayer advocate rejects proposal to save Exelon-Pepco merger

In a statement today, the D.C. Office of the People's Counsel rejected the most recent proposal made by Exelon and Pepco Holdings for their proposed $6.8 billion merger. 

By Davide Savenije , Krysti Shallenberger • March 11, 2016

Civil rights hearing focuses on Illinois coal plant

The Commission's investigation of choice for 2016 is civil rights violations related to environmental justice and statutory enforcement, with a focus on coal ash and hydraulic fracturing industries. 

By Shalina Chatlani • March 11, 2016

Oregon passes 50% renewables standard into law

Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed the controversial energy bill that will boost the state's renewables mandate and phase out coal generation by 2035 into law yesterday. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 11, 2016

Florida senator puts hold on broad energy bill, ties up Flint funds

Florida Sen. Bill Nelson (D) has placed a hold on bipartisan energy legislation, in response to a provision which would expand revenue sharing from offshore drilling along the Gulf states.

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2016

Duke Energy appeals $6.6M fine for Dan River coal ash spill

Duke Energy said the fine, issued by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, was unfair in light of the other actions the utility has taken to address the Dan River coal ash accident that dumped more than 30,000 tons of the toxic waste into the nearby river in 2014. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 11, 2016

US, Canada pledge cooperation on Paris climate accord, clean energy, methane leaks

After the first joint meeting between President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the two nations committed to cutting methane emissions 40%-45% by 2025 from the oil and gas sector, as well as working together on the Paris climate accord.

By Gavin Bade • March 10, 2016

Dueling studies draw battle lines for next Arizona utility-solar showdown

Studies commissioned by APS and TASC have hugely different approaches to solar valuation, but share an important piece of common ground.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 10, 2016

Maine Gov. LePage opposes plan to replace net metering with market-based incentives

Governor’s energy office says the plan would not protect against cost shifts, while TASC says it should include net metering as an option for solar owners.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 10, 2016

Arizona lawmakers mull changes to conflict-of-interest law for utility regulators

Newly-appointed Arizona Corporation Commissioner Andy Tobin had agreed to recuse himself from cases involving SolarCity, where a family member works, but changes to an Arizona law could allow him to vote on those cases.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2016

California utilities push CPUC to vacate or 'modify' net metering decision

Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Pacific Gas and Electric have said in previous accounts that preserving the retail rate remuneration doesn't take into account cost-shift burdens on non-rooftop solar users. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 10, 2016

Learning by doing: How utilities are answering the distributed energy resources challenge

As our 2016 survey shows, utilities are beginning to understand how they can make money with distributed resources, but it's still a work in progress.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2016