ISO/RTO model best alternative to Hawaiian Electric service, Maui report concludes

A report commissioned by leaders in Maui County, Hawaii, suggests forming an independent system operator to take over grid operations from the investor-owned utility. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016

Solar customers file lawsuit against NV Energy over new net metering rates

The customers say the utility unlawfully reduced their net metering rates to stave off competition from rooftop solar companies. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 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

Senate energy legislation slated for floor fight next week

What's in the bill now will likely not the the center of debate, as amendments are expected to counter energy policy actions taken by the Obama administration in recent months. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2016

Southern California Edison signs 500 MW of utility-scale solar PPAs with First Solar

The California utility renews its push for renewables in response to state’s new mandate requireing 50% renewables by 2030. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016

REV in 2016: The year that could transform utility business models in New York

While utilities probably won’t shift to new revenue and business models under REV this year, just how they plan to meet the goals of the groundbreaking reform initiative could become much clearer in the coming months.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 20, 2016

Southwest Power Pool study shows it can reliably manage 60% wind penetration

The grid operator needs new wires and tools to add 4,700 MW of wind by 2017, a new report shows.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 20, 2016

Greens ask federal EPA to take over enforcement for air, water rules in Texas

The Lone Star State is not doing enough to protect citizens from air and water pollution, a pair of environmental advocates allege. They want the federal government to take over permitting in Texas.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2016

Duke, Piedmont request accelerated review of proposed $4.9B merger

The companies told regulators that the deal could lower fuel costs for Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2016

Arizona regulators approve APS residential energy storage pilot

The Arizona Corporation Commission last week approved a proposal from Arizona Public Service for a pilot program to evaluate energy storage for residential customers.  

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 19, 2016

DNV GL aims for energy storage 'global guide' with GRIDSTOR standards

Aligning standards across the storage industry will help 'create a level playing field' for providers, analysts say.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 19, 2016

ERCOT: Wind energy provided record 45% of electricity on Dec. 20

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas maintained reliability with over 10 GW of wind energy on that day.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2016

DOE taps two new nuclear reactor designs for development funding

The federal government tapped X-energy and Southern Company Services to develop new types of nuclear reactors as a way to meet aggressive carbon reduction goals.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 19, 2016

California regulators approve SCE pilot to build 1,500 EV charging stations

The pilot program calls for the installation of 1,500 stations and could lead to a $333 million, 30,000 station buildout by 2020.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2016

New York Gov. Cuomo calls for closing all coal plants in state by 2020

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) this week announced a plan for the state to cease burning coal in power plants by 2020. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2016

PG&E tried to dispose of safety records on San Bruno explosion, federal attorneys say

A former employee hired to improve record keeping reportedly found key safety records in a dumpster outside a company natural gas facility.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 15, 2016

Wait for ruling on FERC Order 745 bodes well for agency, DR backers say

An order vacating FERC's jurisdiction over demand response could have been penned quickly, so demand response advocates say the extended wait for a decision may mean good news is on the way for the agency.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2016

Nevada PUC denies request to stay solar net metering reforms

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada denied requests to delay implementing the new net metering remuneration rates and fixed fee rate hikes on rooftop solar users. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 14, 2016

UBS: Resident opposition could sink NextEra-Hawaiian Electric deal

The investment research firm sees a good chance of “the deal breaking up given persistent consternations.”

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 14, 2016

Ukraine cyberattacks, blackouts heighten fears of US grid vulnerabilities

Recent cyberattacks which caused blackounts in Ukraine have raised fears that the United States' electric grid would be unprepared to respond to a similar scenario.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2016

Iowa regulators deny Clean Line's third request to change transmission approval process

The developer wants the leverage of a permitted line before it seeks the right of eminent domain. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 14, 2016

Obama touts clean energy growth, promises fossil fuel extraction reform in State of the Union

The president took on climate change doubters in his final State of the Union address Tuesday night and promised to reform policies allowing for the extraction of fossil fuels on federal lands. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 13, 2016

How a new business model could get the Puerto Rico public utility out of debt

The only way PREPA can save itself is to find a path to lower cost electricity, but any restructuring deal is bound up in the politics of both the island and Capitol Hill.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2016

Nevada regulator urges commission not to delay new solar net metering rates

The full Nevada commission will meet today to consider calls from the solar industry to stay a controversial net metering ruling, but one regulator has already made his opinion on the matter clear.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2016

New Hampshire opens investigation into resale of electricity at EV charging facilities

Liberty Utilities has asked New Hampshire regulators for authority to resell power at electric vehicle charging stations, potentially opening up more rate options in the transportation sector.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2016

Dominion Virginia Power commits $700M to solar in long-term resource plan

Virginia regulators use regulatory process to push the utility toward a bigger resource mix. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2016