How will utilities profit in the future? New York's REV initiative is trying to figure it out

The Empire State is remaking its utility industry, but one key piece – where the money comes from – remains elusive, and regulators are taking a fairly hands-off approach to finding the answer.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2015

How demand flexibility is about to transform electricity delivery

For utilties, when consumers use energy could become just as important to their bottom lines as if they generate it themselves.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

485 MW Blythe Mesa solar project step closer to construction with BLM approval

Proposed by RRG Renewables, the project is the 57th renewable energy development the Bureau of Land Management has approved since 2009.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2015

DC regulators reject Exelon-Pepco merger

The merger that would have created America's largest electric utility has failed to clear its last hurdle.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 25, 2015

President Obama unveils executive actions to drive distributed energy growth

New loan programs and changes to the PACE program aim to help the nation meet the administration's goals of cutting carbon 32% by 2030.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 25, 2015

President Obama calls for clean energy revolution: 'There is something big happening in America'

President Obama shows renewed passion in his legacy fights against climate change and for renewable energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 25, 2015

NY Sen. Schumer pushes extension, changes for federal solar tax credit

The proposal would extend the tax credit beyond 2016 and would allow it to kick in once a project has begun, rather than been completed.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2015

Iowa regulators approve settlement for MidAmerican's 552 MW 'Wind X' project

Regulators have approved a settlement allowing the 552-MW wind facility to move ahead, if MidAmerican accepts the terms.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2015

Idaho regulators reduce PURPA contracts from 20 to 2 years

The decision, a victory for the state's major electric utilities, is designed to keep customers from paying high costs for renewable generation, critics say.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2015

How Warren Buffett's bet on an Energy Imbalance Market in the West is paying off

NV Energy is in, Arizona Public Service and Puget Sound Energy are coming next year, and others want to know more.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2015

PJM auction results: Capacity payments to plants rise 37% in bid to avoid outages

While the auction results were good news for most existing generation, three of Exelon's nuclear plants did not clear.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 24, 2015

NV Energy hits net metering cap ahead of schedule, adding fuel to solar debate

The utility initially predicted it would hit the cap in 2016, which would have given regulators enough time to develop a new tariff.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 24, 2015

Nuclear industry darkened by delays, cost overruns at Vogtle & Summer facilities

Boosts to the industry could come from Energy Department loan guarantees and Clean Power Plan compliance credit. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2015

SunEdison solar bid for Xcel beats all comers, including natural gas

Xcel's Colorado subsidiary says it will buy power from the 156 MW Comanche solar installation at a price lower than gas, and without fuel price risks.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2015

Why can't utilities innovate like startups?

A new paper produced by a utility-private sector working group outlines how utilities can be set free to innovate.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2015

OG&E proposes demand charge for distributed generation owners

The fight over solar and the grid comes to Oklahoma, where just 200 people have rooftop solar in OG&E's territory.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 21, 2015

Hunt's deal to buy Oncor faces scrutiny from Texas PUC and Justice Dept.

The DOJ is concerned over a potential release for evironmental liability, while a PUC commissioner warns Hunt they will need to prove the deal is good for ratepayers.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 21, 2015

Major Las Vegas resorts get price tag for grid defection

The resorts represent 7% of NV Energy's customer base.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2015

Vivint Solar, second biggest U.S. installer, flees Nevada after two weeks

The atmosphere surrounding the current net metering debate has led the solar installer to conclude it's not worth staying in the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2015

Judge upholds denial of rate increase to recover utility revenues lost to efficiency

Lost revenues are a problem facing many utilities as efficiency and distributed energy resources play bigger roles on the grid.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 20, 2015

How wind's record low prices are driving a 'big build cycle'

“This year will be big. Next year will be similarly big. What happens after 2016 is anybody’s guess because of concerns about the federal production tax credit.”

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 20, 2015

SolarCity CEO: California utilities 'want to kill solar'

Recent proposals from the three big California IOUs to eliminate retail rate net metering and implement solar charges have drawn the ire of California's solar industry.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 20, 2015

Arizona regulators push TEP's proposed net metering cut to 2016 rate case

Commission also orders utility to remove misleading customer notification about solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 20, 2015

Arizona regulators to hear APS proposal on increasing fixed charges for solar

A big battle is brewing in Arizona where a utility proposal would up the monthly cost of owning solar by $16.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 20, 2015

Ohio PUC chair rebukes utilities: 'Stop trying to scare Ohioans'

The new chairman says the state's utilites will be fine -- if they avoid creating fear.

By Randy Lilleston • Aug. 19, 2015