Hawaiian Electric clears rooftop solar backlog, readying it for post-net metering era

Hawaiian Electric Co. approved  2,749 solar applications from its October 2014 backlog, the last remaining customers that will receive the retail rate net energy metering credit in the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2015

AEP strikes settlement deal for Ohio plant subsidy proposal

In an abrupt turn of events, American Electric Power has reached a settlement guaranteeing income from of its nine Ohio generating units in exchange for promises to develop more wind and solar at cease coal use at other facilities.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2015

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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

New Mexico industrial customers protest $1.5M in proposed fuel savings charges

The state's renewable energy laws cap investments for large entities, but a hearing examiner at the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission is directing 25 major industrial energy users to pay $1.5 million in fuel savings costs.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2015

FirstEnergy's plant subsidy proposal could triple fixed charges, critics say

FirstEnergy's plan to guarantee income at two of its power plants includes a proposal to raise fixed charges, which opponents say will lead to higher bills and no incentive to conserve energy.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2015

The Paris climate deal: What's in it and what does it mean?

Dan Delurey, president of the Wedgemere Group and former CEO of the Association of Demand Response and Smart Grid, offers his key takeaways from the historic COP-21 summit.

By Dan Delurey • Dec. 14, 2015

Paris climate talks end in landmark agreement

195 nations signed on to an agreement Saturday that aims to keep global temperature increases "well below" 2 degrees Celsius.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 14, 2015

How utilities are meeting rising corporate demand for renewables

U.S. companies are bypassing utilities to buy renewables, but three new IOU programs hold promise for power company involvement in the burgeoning sector. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 14, 2015

Texas regulatory staff opposes Hunt's restructuring plan for Oncor

"The proposed transaction is not in the public interest and it recommend that the commission reject the applicants’ application,” wrote a utility rate expert.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2015

Connecticut regulators approve $3B Iberdrola-UIL merger

Approval of the $3 billion merger is contingent on millons in customer rate credits and commitments to improve services, but one commissioner in his dissent questioned how the merger could benefit the customers. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2015

Study: CCS technology four times as expensive as originally thought

The first analysis of the "energy loop" in carbon capture and storage facilities led University of Michigan analysts to conclude coal should simply be left in the ground.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 14, 2015

FERC: Atlantic Coast Pipeline must consider alternate routes

Federal regulators want backers of the 564-mile pipeline project to consider routes that would have less of a impact on national forests.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2015

Hawaii electric co-op says it could save consumers $234M as alternative to NextEra deal

As hearings continue on the proposed NextEra-Hawaiian Electric merger, some say a co-op is a better bet than a takeover by the Florida-based company.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 11, 2015

Sunrun files lawsuit against Nevada governor to get text messages with NV Energy

The solar company is seeking evidence that Gov. Sandoval sought advice from utility lobbyists.   

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 11, 2015

FirstEnergy's Ohio subsidy case delayed as regulators set more hearings

The utility had reached a 16-party settlement on a plan to guarantee income at a pair of Ohio power plants, but opponents say the deal raises issues that were not addressed in the original proceeding.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2015

The factors driving wind and solar toward grid parity

A new analysis from Deloitte shows when, where, and why renewables can be cost-competitive. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

El Paso council rejects Texas utility's proposal to create solar customer class

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has the final say in EPE's $71.5 million rate increase proposal. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

HECO delays $350M smart grid project until 2016

Hearings for the proposed Hawaiian Electric Industries merger with NextEra Energy are ongoing, with NextEra saying its smart grid expertise is something the Florida utility has to offer. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

PowerGen 2015: Dynegy and CAISO CEOs illustrate a generation industry in flux

The Dynegy CEO called for federal intervention if Ohio regulators approve income supports for aging coal and nuclear plants, while the CAISO CEO warned generators that his high-renewables "experiment" would soon be their reality.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 9, 2015

AEP leaves ALEC to focus on Clean Power Plan implementation

The right-wing lobbying group disputes allegations that it rejects climate science as large energy companies pull their support.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2015

Santee Cooper board approves fixed charges for solar users

Solar advocates say the public utility's additonal charges to solar owners defies South Carolina’s solar legislation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2015

Omaha public utility's proposal to increase fixed charges draws opposition

Omaha Public Power District's board will consider two separate proposals to increase electric rates and fixed fees.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015

Denver targets 80% emissions cut by 2050 in new climate plan

Denver builds on another plan released eight years ago to target greenhouse gas emissions in what may be the city's most forceful push to address climate change impacts. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015

One week down, one week to go: The mood at the Paris climate talks

As national leaders negotiate a climate deal, Dan Delurey sees signs that the talks are serious this time around.

By Dan Delurey • Dec. 7, 2015

California regulators finalize $16.7 million fine to SoCal Edison for secret San Onofre deal

A fee proposed by a state Administrative Law Judge has been finalized by California regulators over secret negotiations between Edison executives and the former CPUC president.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015

Wisconsin regulators approve 75% fixed charge increase for Xcel subsidiary

The Wisconsin PSC has now approved fixed charge increases for four of the state's five major investor-owned utilities. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015