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

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

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

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

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