Empowerment over protection: How solar and DERs can help the disadvantaged

Policymakers should "seek ways to accelerate adoption of DERs for everyone, including the poor," argue James Tong and Jon Wellinghoff.

By James Tong and Jon Wellinghoff • Feb. 23, 2016

First do no harm: Michigan researchers publish storage sustainability guidelines

University of Michigan researchers publish guidelines for the sustainble use of energy storage systems.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 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

Taming the Wild West: CAISO begins study of a full regional electricity market

The California ISO is beginning a landmark study on whether a regional grid will ease the state's transition to 50% renewables by 2030. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 22, 2016

EPA cites 12 counties for exceeding SO2 standards under NAAQS regulation

12 counties were issued non-attainment designations under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and 23 were declared unclassifiable in the agency's latest release on pollution levels resulting largely from coal power plants.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 19, 2016

Arizona rural utility proposes demand charge, more fees on rooftop solar users

UniSource Energy Services wants a lower net metering credit and impose a mandatory demand charge on solar customer customers to help recover fixed costs. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 19, 2016

Is a national high voltage transmission system the cheapest way to cut emissions?

NOAA researchers say a national plan to efficiently connect clean energy resources to demand centers can cut power sector GHGs 80% with no electricity price bump.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 19, 2016

Beyond net metering: How location can help put a value on DERs

Finding the precise locational value of distributed energy resources is key to ongoing and future value-of-solar proceedings, a report said. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 18, 2016

NARUC 2016: What the SCOTUS stay and Scalia's death mean for the Clean Power Plan

The plan is likely to be delayed about two years, if it is upheld, injecting new uncertainty into utility planning processes.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 18, 2016

Nuclear regulatory commissioner Ostendorff will step down in June

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission member William Ostendorff will step down when his term expires this summer, potentially leaving the commission with just three of five seats filled.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 18, 2016

Mississippi lawmakers push legislation to end PSC oversight of electric cooperatives

Bills in each chamber of the state legislature would put ratemaking and spending in the hands of co-op boards.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 18, 2016

17 governors sign pledge to modernize US power grid

A bipartisan group of governors around the country have committed to diversify energy generation, expand clean energy and modernize energy infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 18, 2016

As Oregon House passes clean energy bill, utility regulators say they were shut out

A bill to eliminate coal imports and institute a 50% RPS is attracting crticism from a number of regulators, including the head of NARUC.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 18, 2016

Avista Utilities asks Washington state regulators to approve electric vehicle charger pilot

If it goes well, the pilot program could kick off a utility-backed effort to make more EV charging infrastructure available in Washington. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 17, 2016

Updated: Puerto Rico Gov. signs utility restructuring bill after legislative approval

Differences with a Senate version passed last week will have to be ironed out before Feb. 23, when a debt agreement reached with the utility's creditors expires.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 17, 2016

Powered by PTC, wind energy expected to keep booming despite Clean Power Plan stay

Demand for cheap wind may be so great that utilities build out enough to meet CPP targets regardless of the stay.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 17, 2016

That's the brakes: Utilizing stored energy from public transit for grid services

The Philadelphia region transit system, with industry partners, is pioneering a financial model for making regenerative braking economic.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 16, 2016

Utility regulators face unfriendly — and unfair — fire

Former regulator Ray Gifford writes that smear campaigns against utility commissioners are instilling distrust in the regulatory process.

By Ray Gifford • Feb. 16, 2016

Pennsylvania regulators set retail rate net metering for distributed generation

The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission ruled 3-2 last week to limit the output from distribution generation to 200% of residential electrical consumption needs while preserving retail rate remuneration. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 16, 2016

How utility executives see the future of the electricity business

Here are some of the key findings from Utility Dive's third annual State of the Electric Utility report.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 16, 2016

Oregon lawmakers propose carbon tax, coal phase-out

The bills would phase out coal, increase renewables and enact a carbon tax. But Oregon is currently in a short legislative session, and some say more time is needed to consider such significant changes.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2016

Solar advocates push Maine lawmakers to preserve net metering

Maine lawmakers are currently involved in a proceeding to evaluate the state's net metering policy and possible alternatives. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2016

Hawaii bill demands NextEra prove consumer benefit for $4.3B Hawaiian Electric merger

The House Bill 2567 would require NextEra to show "substantial net benefit" to customers before state regulators approve its takeover of Hawaiian Electric Industries, but the utility says the bill fails to define net benefits. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2016

Massachusetts solar 'on hold' as incentives in two major programs dry up

Small residential systems can continue to be built, but the expiration of key solar incentives has left the industry in limbo in the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2016

Armed observers heighten tensions in Nevada solar net metering debate

Nevada is an open carry state, and some are concerned about solar advocates bringing their weapons to a Public Utilities Commission meeting scheduled for today.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2016

Bad power deals cost Maine $38M, governor says

 "Socialists love to subsidize new wind and solar,"  said Maine Governor Paul LePage (R). 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2016