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

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

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

How regional compliance can help states meet EPA emissions targets faster and cheaper

SPP study concurs with MISO and PJM studies: States can meet emissions targets faster and cheaper by sharing generation and transmission resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 19, 2015

In SolarCity's 'new paradigm' for distribution planning, DERs come first

Top solar installer calls for new distribution system planning with priority on distributed resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2015

Opponents file lawsuit to void contract for first U.S. offshore wind project

The high price of the nation’s first ocean wind installation is being challenged as building proceeds.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2015

California regulators plan 'deeper' investigation into PG&E's practices and culture

The fallout from the San Bruno pipeline explosion continues.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 18, 2015

Solar installers ask Duke Energy to throw clout behind tax credit extension in N.C.

Duke Energy has long held it will neither support nor oppose the credits.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 18, 2015

California lawmakers seek greater oversight of 'green jobs' spending

An Associated Press investigation has raised questions about how funds are being used.

By Randy Lilleston • Aug. 18, 2015

Analysts: Stakeholders won't feel Clean Power Plan's financial impact before 2022

Negative cash flow predicted for coal producers.

By Deborah Barrington • Aug. 18, 2015

TVA seeks to license the first U.S. nuclear reactor of this century

Watts Bar unit 2 will also be the first U.S. reactor with post-Fukushima FLEX protections.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2015