DOE to begin consent-based process for storing nuclear waste, officials say

Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz told Platts the agency will spearhead a "consent-based process" to find a location for spent nuclear waste.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 22, 2015

Obama vetoes measures to block Clean Power Plan

The president used a “pocket veto," returning the legislation back to Congress unsigned. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 22, 2015

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

Solar ballot measure battle in Florida likely postponed to 2018 election

Funding troubles and a lack of signatures means that Floridians for Solar Choice will likely need to wait for the 2018 ballot to get their proposal in front of voters. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 21, 2015

MISO: Clean Power Plan costs largely hinge on natural gas prices

Compliance could cost as little as $5.8 billion or exceed $100 billion, according to the grid operator, contingent on which strategy is chosen.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2015

Mississippi co-op offers threatens to sue regulators unless they lower net metering rate

The South Mississippi Electric Power Association says the Mississippi Public Service Commission can’t set rates for electric co-ops. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 21, 2015

Historic Los Angeles methane leak puts natural gas emissions under scrutiny

A massive natural gas leak in southern California raises questions over the electricity sector's increased utilization of the resource for power generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 21, 2015

New Pepco merger worries for Exelon: GSA opposes deal while report exposes lobbying

According to filings with the D.C. government, Exelon hired the head of a political action committee supportive of Mayor Muriel Bowser to lobby her office on the proposed acquisition of Pepco.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 18, 2015

UPDATED: Congress passes $1.1T omnibus spending bill with solar, wind tax credit extensions

The tax extensions, part of a deal brokered to fund the government and lift the oil export ban, is expected to be approved by the Senate today.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 18, 2015

After Paris, utilities look to deeper decarbonization

Power companies realize they will likely need to cut CO2 emissions more than current regulations demand, but how remains a challenge. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 18, 2015

Arizona head utility regulator Susan Bitter Smith resigns

Susan Bitter Smith, Arizona Corporation Commission chairwoman, faced a petition from the Attorney General's Office seeking her removal from office.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 18, 2015

Nebraska municipal utilities move to increase fixed charges

City-owned utilities in Lincoln and Omaha both had rate proposals approved this month. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 18, 2015

New Mexico regulators approve plan to keep PNM's San Juan coal plant operating

The plan calls for more coal, alongside natural gas and a small amount of solar.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2015

Ohio's Echogen tapped for 10 MW supercritical CO2 coal demonstration plant

The Ohio-based company will partner with two others and the Electric Power Research Institute to develop the demonstration power plant using "supercritical" carbon dioxide that can provide power more efficiently than traditional power plants.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2015

Duke unveils first solar projects owned and operated by its regulated utilities

The 75 MW solar acquisition is driven by North Carolina’s 12.5% by 2021 renewables mandate. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2015

San Diego City Council approves 100% renewables by 2035 Climate Action Plan

The mandate is expected to cut city emissions 50% and grow the economy, lawmakers said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2015

El Paso pushes Texas regulators to scale back utility rate hike, reject new solar rate class

Under El Paso Electric's proposed increase, customers would see average monthly bill increase of more than $8 when new rates become effective in 2016.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2015

Solar federal tax credit extension could boost installations 54%

Amid news that Congress is considering a five-year extension of the solar investment tax credit, GTM Research is predicting a 54% increase in installations through 2020 compared to if the credit program was allowed to lapse.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2015

Congress strikes deal to extend wind, solar tax credits and lift oil export ban

House Republicans unveiled a broad spending bill Tuesday night includes provisions to extend key tax breaks for wind and solar installations in exchange for lifting the 40-year-old ban on oil exports from the United States.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 16, 2015

Supreme Court likely to defer rule on FERC Order 745 to next year

A decision on FERC's authority over demand response markets is unlikely to arrive in the waning days of 2015, but come mid January all eyes will be on the high court.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2015

ComEd lobbies Illinois lawmakers to develop 6 microgrids

Commonwealth Edison wants to develop a half dozen microgrids in the state, but will need lawmakers to approve its Future Energy Plan, legislation that would fund the northern Illinois projects.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2015

California regulators propose to keep retail rate net metering for solar—with a few changes

The California Public Utilities Commission proposed to keep in place the current solar net metering retail rate renumeration, but tweaked it in an attempt to help utilities recoup costs from residential rooftop solar owners. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 15, 2015

Court ruling lets EPA enforce MATS rule despite Supreme Court rejection

The Enviornmental Protection Agency will be allowed to enforce the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards while it works to fix a flaw in the cost accounting of the regulation identified by the Supreme Court. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 15, 2015

More than megawatts: New metrics reveal energy storage's potential

GTM Resarch is now counting MWhs and carbon reductions in its storage market updates, illustrating more of what the technology can do.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2015

SolarCity admits funding outside group targeting Arizona utility regulators

The solar installer called on APS, Arizona’s top electric utility, to disclose the groups it funds as well.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2015

2015: A banner year for energy storage

Energy storage hit many milestones in 2015 and reached its highest level of deployment to date.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 15, 2015