Green Charge Networks to bring aggregated energy storage into CAISO market

The move will help the state meet its new 50%-by-2030 renewables mandate. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 13, 2015

CA Gov. Brown vetoes 6 CPUC reform bills

Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown (D) rejected six bills calling for more public access and transparency in the utility regulatory agency, despite the measures passing unanimously through the legislature.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 12, 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

NextEra refuses to back down as intervenors reject new HEI merger commitments

NextEra announced a slate of new merger promises in August, but none of the intervenors have said they are a compelling reason to support its purchase of Hawaiian Electric. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 12, 2015

Arizona Public Service claims $67 monthly solar cost shift in new regulatory filing

Arizona Public Service Co. submitted a cost-of-service study ahead of its next rate case, detailing for the first time how much it thinks non-solar customers subsidize those with rooftop arrays. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 12, 2015

How 'grid neutrality' can build the backbone for the modern grid

Nagging debates over how, where and who should deploy distributed resources could be settled by principals that ensure an impartial grid, a new report argues.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 12, 2015

NY Gov. Cuomo proposes linking RGGI, California carbon markets

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants the link the northeast's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative with carbon markets in Canada and California.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2015

DOE: Climate change poses a threat to grid resiliency

In a report focused on the impacts of climate change, the U.S. Department of Energy predicts floods, droughts. heatwaves and hurricanes will reshape the country's electric system.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2015

Green groups push for alternatives to Florida utility's proposed $1.2B gas plant

Florida Power & Light's proposed $1.2 billion, 1.6 GW plant faces questions from two environmental groups that would rather see the utility look to renewables.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2015

EEI took middle road, pushed for 70 ppb ozone standard, report says

The utility group, seeing the writing on the wall, advocated new ozone standards be set at 70 parts-per-billion, even though some of its allies in the generation and industrial sectors wanted the standard to stay where it was.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 9, 2015

FERC investigating MISO auction over market manipulation allegations

Federal regulators lauched a private investigation over alleged market manipulation by Dynegy in MISO's April capacity auction, spurred by complaints filed from Illinois AG's office and a handful of consumer and industry stakeholders. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 9, 2015

PECO: Energy efficiency programs have saved customers $463M since 2009

Philadelphia-based PECO's suite of efficiency offerings has helped customers reduce their electric use by more than 2 million MWh, aligning with Pennsylvania's energy efficiency goals. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 9, 2015

California finalizes 50%-by-2030 renewables mandate

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed into a law a 50% renewable mandate the jacks up the previous 33% mandate while calling for an increase 50% in energy efficiency for the state. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 8, 2015

Hardware shortages may slow solar growth in 2016

A rush to make solar projects eligible for the 30% investment tax credit before it sunsets is straining solar’s supply chain.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 8, 2015

Utility-scale solar booms as costs drop, challenging gas on price

Utility-scale solar is on the verge of edging out gas on price, and it offers cost benefits that fossil fuel plants lack.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 8, 2015

Mississippi continues to struggle with net metering policy

The Mississippi Public Service Commission has extended the comment period on a proposed net metering policy, and it is unclear when a decision will be made.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 8, 2015

Settlement could spell early retirement for Utah coal plant

Deseret Electric Power Cooperative has agreed to pollution controls and reduced coal burn at its power plant in Uintah County, but said the costs of retrofitting the plant will pass on to ratepayers. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 8, 2015

IRS may redefine investment tax credit for energy projects

New definitions could affect rooftop solar, energy storage and other demand side resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 7, 2015

Developers propose competing $1.6B, 400 MW offshore wind projects in Hawaii

Hawaii’s strong ocean winds make offshore wind an economic choice, as a wind project developer say they can deliver power at a lower cost than the average Oahu electrical price. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 7, 2015

Arizona regulators will not recuse themselves from controversial APS case

Three Arizona utlity regulators facing complaints about bias against the rooftop solar industry say they won't abstain from voting on a controversial grid access fee request from one of the state's major power producers. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 7, 2015

NextEra, HECO withdraw application for utility solar project on Oahu

Some had criticized the proposal, saying the PPA between NextEra and HECO represented a conflict of interest because the companies are trying to merge. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 7, 2015

As regulators pump brakes, what's next for PG&E's EV charging program?

Ratepayer advocates convinced regulators the Golden State’s biggest electricity provider needs to be slowed down. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 7, 2015

Generators ask PJM to reconsider capacity performance rules

A group of generators asked PJM Interconnection to consider easing some of its reliability rules as well as altering force majeure scenarios.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2015

Commissioner Moeller to leave FERC at end of month; successor unclear

FERC Commissioner Philip Moeller will move on from the commission to "pursue other opportunities in the energy field," he said in a statement.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2015

Updated: Exelon, DC Mayor Bowser announce settlement deal on Pepco merger

Exelon and District of Columbia mayor Muriel Bowser (D) recently announced they had reached a settlement on the proposed Exelon-Pepco Holdings merger, increasing Exelon's proposed investment in DC to $78 million. 

By Gavin Bade and Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 6, 2015

North Dakota, Wyoming will push for additional CPP compliance time

Governors of those states say they were blindsided by large increases in emissions cuts between the proposed and final rule, and call for more time to ensure compliance while planning to file legal challenges to the rule. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 6, 2015