Study: States can use 'green banks' to boost renewables, efficiency investments

Innovative and low-cost capital solutions will be required to meet new greenhouse gas emissions mandates, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

By Robert Walton • July 21, 2015

The Transportation Grid: How utilities can drive the future of transport

In this guest post, Patty Monahan and Dan Adler lay out a blueprint for utility leadership in electric transportation.

By Patty Monahan and Dan Adler • July 20, 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

CAISO approves plan to aggregate and market distributed energy resources

The plan, the first in the United States, looks to open market to rooftop solar, energy storage, and electric vehicles.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 20, 2015

Exelon, Duke, Dominion will seek to extend nuke plant licenses to 80 years

New facilities are initially licensed for 40 years, but utilities are considering operating them twice that time in an effort to meet greenhouse gas regulations.

By Robert Walton • July 20, 2015

HECO launches community solar pilot project

Subscribers are expected to cut bills by 45% and HECO guarantees 80% of the savings.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 20, 2015

NV Energy wrestles with solar boom as state net metering cap looms

A new assessment shows the state's net metering cap could be reached sooner than anticipated. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 17, 2015

Second ballot initiative emerges to challenge Florida's solar choice measure

The group behind the new proposal says it supports solar, but would not allow for third party sales.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 17, 2015

Interstate Power & Light reaches settlement with EPA on emissions and coal use

Interstate Power & Light will pay a a $1 million civil penalty, spend millions more on environmental mitigation and reduce emissions at its 7 coal-fired facilities in the state.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2015

NYISO: June power prices were lowest on record

New York's grid operator said average weighted locational-based market prices in June were the lowest on record for that month.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2015

White House taps fifth regulator for Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Jessie Hill Roberson is currently serving as vice chairman of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board and has more than three decades experience in nuclear engineering.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2015

Report: 42 states are reducing emissions ahead of the final Clean Power Plan rules

A new report looking at emissions related to power production finds most states are already trying to reduce greenhouse gas, but advocates say the work is not moving ahead fast enough.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2015

FERC, PJM file briefs in Supreme Court demand response case

The closely-watched fight over FERC Order 745 and the commission's authority to regulate demand response is heating up with regulators, a grid operator and demand response provider all filing initial briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2015

Walker veto can't stop cuts to Wisconsin consumer advocate's funding

 Governor’s veto can’t change the budget process so customer advocates lose 65% of support

By Herman K. Trabish • July 15, 2015

How rate design can save utilities from the solar death spiral

TOU and RT rates can decrease revenue losses from solar, but can also hamper solar adoption.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 15, 2015

RGGI carbon trading program brings $1.3 billion in benefits for Northeast

The plan also cut power prices and emissions, a new study finds. 

By Gavin Bade • July 15, 2015

FirstEnergy will spin off remaining transmission assets, form new subsidiary

The company says a separate transmission company will be able to finance projects at a lower cost. 

By Gavin Bade • July 15, 2015

Federal appeals court upholds Colorado renewable energy standard

Law requiring 30% renewables does not violate Constitution’s commerce clause, the court found.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 15, 2015

San Diego Gas & Electric proposes unique customer-sited energy storage rate

The utility wants regulators to approve discounts for customers who allow the utility to utilize their home batteries for grid services. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 15, 2015

How DOE is remaking itself to help utilities modernize the grid

Now's the time for utilities to take advantage of new partnership and research opportunities, the agency says.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 14, 2015

California struggles with gas capacity in summer heat

High temperatures and supply constraints led to CAISO issuing a call for urgent conservation earlier this month. 

By Gavin Bade • July 14, 2015

DOE funding suspended for ailing CA carbon capture project

The HECA project failed to meet developmental deadlines, an agency spokesperson said.

By Gavin Bade • July 14, 2015

NH governor signs bill allowing Eversource to sell generation fleet

If approved by regulators, Eversource will be the final utility in the state to divest from its plants and buy all its power on the open market. 

By Gavin Bade • July 14, 2015

TEP asks regulators to expand rooftop solar offerings, add community solar product

New solar programs would be added to the utility’s rate base and paid for through customer bills, if regulators approve.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2015

Utilities, greens get last minute shots at lobbying White House on Clean Power Plan

Final Clean Power Plan regulations are stil pending, and that means industry lobbying is in full force.

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2015

Inside California's rate restructuring plan and the battle for fixed charges looming over it

The CPUC decision on tiers and time-of-use rates sets up fight for fixed cost recovery.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2015