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

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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

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

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

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