How utilities and their regulators will determine the future of solar

Rate design holds the key to whether there are more than 40 states with solar at grid parity in 2020, or just two, according to a new report.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

Maine utilities, solar advocates back new bill to replace net metering, grow solar

Under the new bill, utilities would act as "standard buyers" for solar of all types, aggregating multiple generation facilities and bidding them into electricity markets. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

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

DC PSC will vote Friday on Exelon-Pepco merger

After a long proceeding, the District of Columbia Public Service Commission will vote this week to approve or deny the acquisition that would create the nation's largest electric utility. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 25, 2016

Louisiana PSC rejects Cleco acquisition by international consortium

Cleco Corp. said the Louisiana Public Service Commission's decision failed to acknowledge the benefits from the M&A. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 25, 2016

Compromise in Mississippi partially restores state regulators authority over co-ops

The amended legislation still allows cooperatives to set net metering rates and design efficiency programs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

States go back to Supreme Court for second bite at blocking MATS

The high court rejected the air pollution rules on technical grounds last year, but a lower court ruling has allowed the EPA to continue enforcing the rules.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 25, 2016

NY Gov. Cuomo: 'Zero tolerance' for electric service companies jacking up prices

Independent energy companies supply power to more than 20% of New York residents, and a recent audit found many were offering no savings and dramatically overcharging compared to regulated providers.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2016

Washington state solar incentive bill set for Senate hearing after House passage

The bill would extend the state's solar incentives until 2021 and boost the size of the program.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 24, 2016

Maryland regulators provide initial guidance on rules for community shared solar

Under the proposed rules, community solar subscribers would earn retail rate credit on their utility bills for power generated by their portion of a central station array. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 24, 2016

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

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