Newly-opened NJ offshore wind tract could yield 3,400 MW of capacity

The federal government has opened nearly 350,000 acres of ocean off the coast of New Jersey to wind development in a bid to meet President Obama's clean energy goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

New York funds 5 clean energy projects under REV for $175M

The largest of the projects will be a 100 MW wind farm being developed by RES America Developments in Chautauqua County.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 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

How to become the 'Utility of the Future?' Industry experts weigh in

The key to creating the utility of the future is combining consumer demands with emerging technology in smart grids, energy efficiency and distribution generation, experts said during the 2015 Solar Power International conference. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

Vermont's updated energy plan reaffirms 90% renewable goal

The plan calls for utilities to develop microgrids, renewable transporation and buildings as part of its goal to run mostly on renewable energy. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2015

New SolarCity service targets low-income housing developments

The nation's largest solar installer has launched a new service aimed at lowering the cost of renewable energy for low-income housing communities.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2015

As solar prices drop fast, Austin Energy seeks to delay chunk of 600 MW purchase

Bids for utility-scale solar in the Southwest are falling farther and farther below $0.04/kWh.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 2015

After PUC rebuke, Boulder signals new flexibility in muni proceeding

Boulder, Colorado wants to form a municipal utility but after regulatory staff sided with incumbent utility Xcel Energy on the plan city officials have had to make changes to their proposal.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2015

Hawaii PUC approves solar TOU rate pilot for co-op KIUC

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative will cut daytime power rates about 25% for participants in a bid to get them to utilize more solar during its peak generating hours.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2015

Utility industry casts doubt on FERC's proposed cyber standards

The utility industry is pushing back on federal regulators' attempts to put on place new critical infrastructure protection reliability standards aimed at shoring up potential cybersecurity weaknesses.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2015

SPP begins coordinating with states on Clean Power Plan compliance

The Southwest Power Pool held a webinar this week for air regulators in its territory, launching a process that will examine how states can comply with the finalized CPP regulations.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2015

Entergy brings Mississippi's first utility solar pilot project online

The 500 kW arrays will allow the utility to test solar economics and feasibility.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 2015

Solar sector pleased as Nevada Gov. appoints Office of Energy head to PUC

Paul Thomsen, director of the Nevada Office of Energy, previously testified in favor of compelling the PUC to find a permanent net metering tariff.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 24, 2015

AEP Ohio willing to compromise on length of coal subsidy proposal

Perhaps seeing the writing on the wall, AEP Ohio President Pablo Vegas has said his company would be willing to sign power purchase agreements for a shorter length of time than requested -- the life of the plants.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 24, 2015

Senate Dems pack climate bill full of clean energy goodies, but no carbon tax

A proposed climate bill introduced by U.S. Senate Democrats was expected to be mostly political messaging, but instead is an expansive platform of clean energy policies. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 24, 2015

What solar's latest growth numbers say about the sector's future

Solar growth is likely to set more records until the federal tax credits expire, but good state policies and utility buy in could fuel growth even if national incentives aren't extended.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 24, 2015

North Carolina mulling new nuclear for CPP compliance if litigation fails

North Carolina's chief environmental regulator has indicated the state will file a lawsuit challenging the Obama administration's greenhouse gas emissions limits, but if that fails it could turn to new nuclear plants.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 24, 2015

Climate Change: Why every utility, regulatory body, and DER company needs a point person for it

A look at how DER, and all of the different components and aspects of smart grid, fit into climate strategies and action plans.

Sept. 23, 2015

As solar cap looms, installers ask CA regulators for interim metering measures

Companies in San Diego Gas & Electric territory say business could soon come to a standstill as the region approaches its net metering cap. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2015

Negative RECs for community solar: Market failure or utility opportunity?

Bidding has driven prices for Renewable Energy Credits for community solar projects into negative territory in Colorado, and installers say that constrains their ability to serve all customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2015

Washington state begins writing stricter GHG rules for utilities, industry

The state's Department of Ecology has begun writing new rules to reduce emissions, and intends to hold hearings and take public comment over the next year.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2015

Report on corporate influence hammers Duke Energy over climate positions

A British nonprofit awarded the utility an "F" for its work on climate change policy, but the utility says the grade is unfair.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2015

Younicos to construct first utility-scale Texas solar-storage project

The facility will be the first such utility-scale project in the ERCOT market, although smaller demonstration projects have shown promise in the state.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 22, 2015

Senate Dems to introduce ambitious climate bill

The measure, which stands little chance of passing, would mandate a 2% annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 22, 2015

Lincoln, Neb. muni approves $2.25 fixed charge increase

Lincoln Electric System wants to shift recovery of fixed costs for grid maintenance and upgrades to the fixed charge portion of the residential customer bill over the next eight to ten years.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 22, 2015

Portland General Electric could join CAISO Energy Imbalance Market

PGE reportedly turned away from the Northwest Power Pool to take advantage of millions in savings being realized by the imbalance market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 22, 2015