SPI 2015: Tax credit sunset preoccupies a fast-maturing industry

Growing pains hit solar industry as a rift appears over the fight for the extension of a vital federal tax credit.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 15, 2015

CA lawmakers pass bill to bolster efficiency, mandate 50% renewables by 2030

The mandate, originally proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown, now heads to his desk for a signature. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 14, 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

Sierra Club fights Buffett-owned Pacific Power bid to shorten PURPA contracts

Pacific Power has proposed reducing PURPA contrascts from 15 years to three, drawing fire from opponents who see it as an attack on renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2015

SoCalEdison & SolarCity partner to study aggregated distributed resources

The pilot project will study 50 homes equipped with solar, storage, controllable thermostats, and smart inverters.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 14, 2015

SDG&E moves to transitional 3-tier rate structure this month

Investor-owned electricity provider also preps customers for move to 2 tiers in Spring 2016

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 14, 2015

RGGI: CO2 allowances set record in auction, topping $6/ton

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has completed its 29th carbon dioxide allowance auction.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2015

Duke settles 15 year-old Clean Air Act litigation with EPA for $5.4 million

Duke has settled with the federal goverment and will pay a civil penalty of almost $1 million in addition to a series of environmental projects related to the company's North Carolina coal units.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2015

Renewables opponents make late-session push to freeze North Carolina RPS

Fossil fuel advocates say the mandate is costing residents, but recent studies have found any bill increases based on renewables have been small. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 11, 2015

Electric competition could save Nebraska $250M a year, wind developer says

Rates are up more than 20% since 2008, and independent generators say opening Nebraska's power markets could save customers millions.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 11, 2015

CA climate & renewables bill set to pass after Dems strip petrol provisions

Lawmakers were forced to alter an aggressive climate change bill in order to move past objections from the petroleum and auto industries.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 10, 2015

Federal court refuses to stay EPA's Clean Power Plan

Opponents of the plan must wait until the rule is published in the Federal Register, the court said. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 10, 2015

New market plans move forward as Northwest Power Pool appeals to FERC

The group has asked FERC for clarification on several issues, including that the 15-minute market would be all-voluntary.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 10, 2015

As EPA prepares to release 2nd rule governing coal ash, reach seen as limited

The new rule governing toxic wastewater releases won't affect plants that dispose of dry ash.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 9, 2015

Wyoming wind held back by transmission backlog, avian deaths

Builders in limbo on 5,100 MW-plus of potential while bickering over tax credits, regulations continues

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 9, 2015

Michigan hydro generators fear shutdown as utilities plan to cut payments

Small hydro producers say utilities want to pay them at the Midcontinent ISO rate of 4.5 cents/kWh, potentially forcing them to shut down.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2015

How Massachusetts utilities plan to modernize their grids and rate designs

Across the country, states are taking a hard look at how to bring their electric grids into the modern era. But for Massachusetts, operating in a regional market means taking a more cautious approach to change.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2015

Solar face-off taking shape in Michigan as new bill would expand net metering

The new proposal would expand the state's net metering program, allow for the development of community solar gardens and set the fair value price for projects up to 500KW.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2015

CA industry group pegs value of solar-plus-storage at 25 cents/kWh

The California Energy Storage Alliance wants a special role for energy storage in state regulatory policy as it moves toward 50% renewable generation.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2015

Over 40 Hawaii lawmakers call for study of public utility as alternative to NextEra deal

Opposition to the NextEra merger appears to be growing among state and county lawmakers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 8, 2015

Colorado commits $1.2M for low income community shared solar projects

Grant comes as Xcel Energy RFP pushes private community solar developers out of residential market 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 8, 2015

As lawmakers balk at CPP, Oklahoma utilities closing in on compliance

Despite the state's opposition to the new greenhouse gas regulations, utilities in Oklahoma have been planning ahead and are on a path towards compliance.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2015

After multiple outages, CPUC orders SCE to do full inspection of Long Beach grid

Four outages in two months raise questions about the utility’s management of reliability.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 4, 2015

SC regulators approve $900 million cost increase for new nuclear units

Commissioners also boost guaranteed profit for SCE&G from 10.5% to 11%.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 4, 2015

Indiana manufacturers, utilities face off over cogeneration plants and deregulation

Large manufacturers in Indiana are pushing for new rules that would make it easier to construct a cogeneration facility, but the utility industry is wary of what it believes is a push for deregulation.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2015

New Jersey seeks stay of Clean Power Plan

The greenhouse gas reduction plan is "unlawful," according to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and also fails to take into account work the state has already done.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2015