Rebuffed by DC Circuit, CPP opponents appeal to Supreme Court for stay on carbon rules

The expedited hearing schedule set last week by the D.C. Circuit Court won't be fast enough to prevent "irreparable harms" to states, the critics argue.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2016

Utility-backed Florida solar amendment nabs qualifying signatures for 2016 ballot

Florida's Supreme Court approval for the amendment's language is the final hurdle for the Consumers for Smart Solar to land a spot on the 2016 election ballot. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 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

How utilities and regulators differ in their approaches to distributed energy

Meeting customer demand for distributed generation will require more coordination between utilities and regulators, a recent survey found.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

Xcel proposes overhaul of its Colorado grid to include more renewables, smart meters

Xcel Energy this week is making a series of filings with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, describing an extensive overhaul of how the utility plans to serve 1.4 million customers.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2016

Wind growth leaves Oklahoma paying millions more than anticipated in incentives

A controversial tax incentive designed to entice wind farms to Oklahoma has the state paying out millions more than expected at a time when it faces a $900 million budget shortfall.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2016

New Jersey Gov. Christie vetoes offshore wind bill

The bill, sent back to the legislature without Christie's signature, would have pushed regultors to reconsider smaller offshore wind energy applications. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

In PURPA ruling, FERC says Entergy not obligated to buy from large QFs

Federal regulators ruled Entergy does not need to purchase power from most qualifying facilities over 20 MW, saying MISO already affords them the "nondiscriminatory access" to power markets envisioned by the law. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

New York regulators propose nuclear power mandate in new clean energy plan

Utilities will need to procure almost 16% of their power from nuclear sources in New York by 2020 under a proposal to save the state's carbon-free generators.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2016

How MISO is reforming market rules to spur storage deployment

Developers are eager to develop MISO’s storage market, but it has a long way to go to catch up with other RTOs.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 26, 2016

Utilities seek flexibility, emissions trading in CPP federal implementation plan

How carbon trading is structured under the Clean Power Plan appears to be emerging as an important debate between utilities and environmentalists. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 26, 2016

After debt deadline, Puerto Rico utility gets extension to continue providing power

Banks that finance PREPA's fuel deliveries agreed to keep their negotiations out of court until Feb. 12.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 26, 2016

What to expect from California utilities' new aggregated demand response offerings

Under a new auction, California utilities will meet grid demand with traditional demand response, stationary batteries and electric vehicles. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 26, 2016

NV Energy proposes 'grandfathering' existing rooftop solar customers

Solar advocates have expressed opposition to recent net metering rule changes that place existing solar customers onto new rates in Nevada.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 26, 2016

10 state rooftop solar debates to watch in 2016 and beyond

As solar deployment spreads, so do policy debates about its value to customers and utilities. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 25, 2016

Updated: Supreme Court upholds FERC Order 745, affirming federal role in demand response

The nation's highest judicial body affirmed the agency's authority to regulate demand response programs in wholesale markets in its decision.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 25, 2016

National Grid pursues approval for long-term natural gas capacity contracts

The utility has asked Massachusetts regulators for authorization to sign long-term fuels supply contracts, which it says could save customers billions of dollars.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2016

GTM: Global solar added 59 GW in 2015 with China leading at 19 GW

The U.S. added 7 GW in 2015, but analysts expect more in the coming years thanks to an extension of vital tax credits.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2016

Mississippi electric co-ops ask regulators for rehearing on net metering

The co-ops say their nonprofit, member-owned status means they should have the right to set their own solar net metering rates. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2016

FERC's Tony Clark won't seek reappointment, warns of CPP challenges

EnergyWire reports that Tony Clark, the lone Republican FERC commissioner, will not seek reappointment when his term expires at the end of June.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2016

As hearings conclude, FirstEnergy subsidy proposal remains in doubt

FirstEnergy reached a 16-party settlement last year in the plant subsidy case, but a pair of offers from rival generators say the plan would upend regional electric markets and have offered alternative power supply proposals. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2016

World Energy Council report calls for shift in storage valuation

World Energy Council says storage valuations should be based on value, not costs as the levilized costs for storage are expected to drop. 

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 22, 2016

California utilities propose alternative to regulators' net metering policy

Three major California utilities proposed a new alternative to the California Public Utilities Commission in their comments on the Commission's proposed net metering decision.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 22, 2016

DC Circuit Court denies stay on EPA Clean Power Plan

While refusing to delay implementation, the three-judge panel fast-tracked the case, setting June 2, 2016 as the date for oral arguments. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 21, 2016

Nevada PUC to reconsider 'grandfathering' provision in new net metering policy

Regulators will reconsider a provision that applies new remuneration rates and charges to existing solar installations, as well as new ones. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 21, 2016

Can utilities learn to love distributed solar like central station arrays?

Utility-scale solar has become mainstream among U.S. power providers, but persisting questions around cost and valuation are masking further opportunties in the distributed generation space, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016