War games: 350 utilities join feds in simulation of large-scale grid attack

Last week the North American Electric Reliability Corporation led a simulated attack on the United States' utility grid. Had it been real, some cities would have been left uninhabitable.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2015

The top 5 trends in distributed energy policy and rate design

From coast to coast, regulators are focused on net metering and rate design considering distributed resources, but analysts warn that such issues are "just the tip of the iceberg." 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 23, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Senators resurrect 1970s financing tactic to boost carbon capture for coal plants

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers wants to allow businesses to use tax-exempt private activity bonds to finance the installation of carbon capture equipment.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2015

Major solar installer advocates expiration of solar investment tax credit

The extension of the 30% federal tax credit is not needed for the continued health of the industry, Sunnova's CEO wrote to congressional leaders this week.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 20, 2015

Ohio regulators to probe submetering companies reselling energy in apartments, condos

Allowing a third-party to resell energy in apartments and condominiums would likely be illegal in most states, and advocates are calling for greater scrutiny into the practice in Ohio. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2015

NY Gov. Cuomo pushes closure of Entergy Indian Point nuke in NRC filings

National security risks, deterioration of the facility and the plant's close proximity to New York City were all put forward as reasons to close Indian Point, even as Cuomo fights to keep another Entergy nuclear facility from closing. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2015

Honolulu mayor argues against public utility as alternative for NextEra-HECO merger

The city lacks the experience and the deep pockets neeed to replace Hawaiian Electric, Mayor Caldwell's office told city lawmakers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 20, 2015

EPA floats tougher cross-state pollution rules as Senate slams Clean Power Plan

The EPA wants more stringent standards on ozone and smog-causing pollution that floats across state lines, but conservatives in Congress aren't happy about the agency's active role in the Obama administration.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 2015

SoCal Edison blames poor management for Long Beach outages

Inadequate oversight and knowledge of the network were found to be causes of outages that left nearly 30,000 Southern California Edison customers in the dark this summer. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 19, 2015

NextEra makes new bid for Oncor, complicating EFH bankruptcy saga

NextEra says its plan to buy Oncor has a better chance of passing muster with regulators than the one proposed by Hunt Consolidated.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 2015

The future of rate design: Why the utility industry may shift away from fixed charges

A focus on fixed charges is giving way to more comprehensive rate structures for utilities, but big questions loom on the horizon for regulators. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 2015

Wisconsin lawmakers want to lift moratorium on new nuclear plants

Lawmakers are worried about having reliable energy sources as fossil-fired power prices rise and the state begins to comply with the Clean Power Plan. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 19, 2015

How solar will grow through the ITC sunset and beyond

The ITC reversion is expected to deliver the first year-over-year downturn in the U.S. solar market, but brighter days will follow for the industry, according to a new GTM report.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 19, 2015

Wisconsin Public Service proposes 32% monthly fixed charge increase

The utility won an 82% fixed charge increase last year, but says that is no longer adequate.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 19, 2015

Split in Mass. legislature leaves net metering cap, solar industry in limbo

Both branches of the state legislature failed to reach a compromise Wednesday night on lifting the state's solar cap, leaving it in the hands of a joint committee.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 18, 2015

Exelon-Pepco merger backers, critics face off at DC PSC meeting

Merger opponents, claiming a connection between Pepco's financial contributions for a new soccer stadium and the Mayor's support for the Exelon takeover, protested outside a meeting of city regulators yesterday.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 18, 2015

Hawaiian Electric wants to finalize LNG import deal by Q1 2016

Quarterly filings reveal the utility's plan to begin importing liquefied natural gas, despite opposition from the governor.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 18, 2015

Eversource, National Grid gas-reliant RFPs run afoul of state rules, greens say

Acadia Center and a group of clean energy developers want the utilities to redraft a request for proposals centered on natural gas storage and transportation.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2015

Dynegy threatens to sue if regulators approve AEP and FirstEnergy plant subsidies

Dynegy, which has its own stake in Ohio's power market, is a vocal opponent of the utility's plans to support aging coal and nuclear plants by guaranteeing their income.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 17, 2015

Oregon saddles up to implement trailblazing energy storage mandate

Oregon's mandate is the second in the nation, but novel in the guidance it gives to regulators on how to value storage.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

Maps: 5 US regions where the grid is under threat from climate change

Climate change — if left unchecked — could put the electricity system at risk, especially in coastal areas.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 17, 2015

Time-of-use rates can shape customer usage, cut pollution and costs, experts agree

Retail electricity rates tied to hourly wholesale power market costs could shape consumer usage, executives told Platts last week.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

DC project could pave way for PACE funding to flow to affordable, public housing

The District of Columbia will fund a renovation of the Phyllis Wheatley Young Women’s Christian Association, including efficiency and solar investments, in a new use of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2015

Minnesota Power proposal raises residential rates 14.5% to finance lower prices for industry

A new monthly charge will appear on Minnesota Power's residential energy bills in order to lower rates for major industrial customers by about 5%.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2015

Rocky Mtn Power will compare cost to serve solar customers before fixed charge decision

Utah regulators want more information on the costs and benefits of distributed generation before a decision on fixed charges. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 16, 2015