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

Why clean energy advocates are challenging SCE's historic storage buy

Southern California Edison's award for new capacity resources has drawn criticism from intervenors who think it relies too much on gas and not enough on alternative resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 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

PJM: Winter is coming, and the grid is ready

The U.S. Energy Information Administration is predicting electricity usage to be lower this winter, but the largest grid operator in the country says it will still be prepared for periods of prolonged cold and high demand. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2015

New York denies water use permit for Indian Point nuke in push to close plant

Those in favor of shuttering the facility say the denial of a water use permit could block the plant from operating, but Entergy says the certificate may not be necessary for relicenscing.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2015

Pot power: How utilities and regulators are dealing with the budding marijuana industry

Growing marijuana requires so much power that electric utilities across the nation are taking notice, but federal law limits how much they can do.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 13, 2015

Dong Energy proposes world's largest offshore wind farm off Massachusetts coast

The project proposed by the Danish developer may have a capacity as large as 1,000 MW, which would make it the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

Ivanpah CSP project burns enough natural gas to qualify for CA cap-and-trade program

The giant CSP array still qualifies as renewable energy, but must cap and trade the natural gas emissions that come from an adjacent generator used to smooth the variable generation's grid integration.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

Utilities spend $2.3M backing Florida solar initiative against 3rd party sales

Two groups are battling to put competing solar policy initiatives on Florida's ballot next November, with the utility-backed side raising millions more than the other side in October. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

AEP CEO: Clean Power Plan could be the 'catalyst' to transform utility industry

American Electric Power CEO Nick Akins said the government's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, when paired with large-scale solar, could tranform the nation's power grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

Exelon-Pepco merger critics seek investigation of DC Mayor over settlement deal

In a scandal critics are calling "Soccergate," merger opponents question the timing of a deal to support the construction of a new stadium for the soccer team D.C. United, saying it could be connected to the Exelon-Pepco merger. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 12, 2015

BLM, state set new standards for renewables development plan for California desert

Environmentalists applauded land protections on the plan, but the wind industry says it could put the state's 50% renewables mandate in jeopardy. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Hawaii distributed energy and smart grid companies form new trade group

“It is not just about solar anymore,” says the a founding member of the Distributed Energy Resources Council of Hawaii.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Beyond fixed charges: 'Disruptive Challenges' author charts new utility path

If Peter Kind's 2013 paper put the utility sector on notice, this one could give it whiplash.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

TPO showdown: Duke faces off against greens over NC church's solar array

NC WARN is testing the limits of North Carolina third party ownership law and Duke wants to put a stop to it.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

NARUC 2015: How the Clean Power Plan is transforming 'baseload' generation

EPA regulations and economic forces are changing the way utilities think about baseload power.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 11, 2015

Utilities spend $1.6M to influence Michigan energy policy debate

The state is considering major changes to its renewables goals and its market design.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2015

Court rejects Dominion's move to block Sierra Club coal ash lawsuit

The Sierra Club lawsuit can proceed, the federal judge ruled, rejecting Dominion Virginia Power's claims that Sierra Club's arguments are illegitimate over potential coal ash water contamination from a Dominion power plant. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 11, 2015

NARUC 2015: Utilities push regulators to shift focus to Clean Power Plan compliance

As legal challenges play out, state utility regulators are preparing to comply with the EPA's emissions rule.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 10, 2015

Many states opposed to the CPP are working on compliance plans

Even the states that are suing the EPA are developing compliance strategies for the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2015

Judge allows SolarCity lawsuit against Arizona utility SRP to move forward

An Arizona federal judge threw out SolarCity's claims for monetary damages and non-monetary relief but ruled that the lawsuit can proceed.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 10, 2015

DOE approves $1.2B transmission line for Canadian wind and hydro

The transmission line expected to import 1,000 MW of Canadian wind and hydro power to New England nears regulatory completion. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 10, 2015

AEP Ohio wholesale auction prices continue to decline, stressing utilities

Falling power prices in AEP Ohio's wholesale auction are creating problems for nuclear and coal generators.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 9, 2015

Sierra Club: Power sector's carbon emissions hit lowest level since 1995

Coal retirements have put the United States in a strong position ahead of Paris climate talks planned this month, according to a new Sierra Club report. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2015

Arizona utility TEP wants to add solar fee, reduce net metering credit

Tucson Electric Power is asking for several changes to its rates as it commits to 30% renewables by 2030. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015

California solar advocates bring wheelbarrows of petitions to net metering fight

Solar advocates push to extend California's retail net energy metering credit as utility regulators consider three proposals from major utilities to add fixed charges and lower credits for solar users.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015