NextEra makes new bid for Oncor, complicating EFH bankruptcy saga

NextEra says its plan to buy Oncor has a better chance of passing muster with regulators than the one proposed by Hunt Consolidated.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 2015

The future of rate design: Why the utility industry may shift away from fixed charges

A focus on fixed charges is giving way to more comprehensive rate structures for utilities, but big questions loom on the horizon for regulators. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 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

Wisconsin lawmakers want to lift moratorium on new nuclear plants

Lawmakers are worried about having reliable energy sources as fossil-fired power prices rise and the state begins to comply with the Clean Power Plan. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 19, 2015

How solar will grow through the ITC sunset and beyond

The ITC reversion is expected to deliver the first year-over-year downturn in the U.S. solar market, but brighter days will follow for the industry, according to a new GTM report.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 19, 2015

Wisconsin Public Service proposes 32% monthly fixed charge increase

The utility won an 82% fixed charge increase last year, but says that is no longer adequate.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 19, 2015

Split in Mass. legislature leaves net metering cap, solar industry in limbo

Both branches of the state legislature failed to reach a compromise Wednesday night on lifting the state's solar cap, leaving it in the hands of a joint committee.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 18, 2015

Exelon-Pepco merger backers, critics face off at DC PSC meeting

Merger opponents, claiming a connection between Pepco's financial contributions for a new soccer stadium and the Mayor's support for the Exelon takeover, protested outside a meeting of city regulators yesterday.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 18, 2015

Hawaiian Electric wants to finalize LNG import deal by Q1 2016

Quarterly filings reveal the utility's plan to begin importing liquefied natural gas, despite opposition from the governor.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 18, 2015

Eversource, National Grid gas-reliant RFPs run afoul of state rules, greens say

Acadia Center and a group of clean energy developers want the utilities to redraft a request for proposals centered on natural gas storage and transportation.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2015

Dynegy threatens to sue if regulators approve AEP and FirstEnergy plant subsidies

Dynegy, which has its own stake in Ohio's power market, is a vocal opponent of the utility's plans to support aging coal and nuclear plants by guaranteeing their income.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 17, 2015

Oregon saddles up to implement trailblazing energy storage mandate

Oregon's mandate is the second in the nation, but novel in the guidance it gives to regulators on how to value storage.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

Maps: 5 US regions where the grid is under threat from climate change

Climate change — if left unchecked — could put the electricity system at risk, especially in coastal areas.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 17, 2015

Time-of-use rates can shape customer usage, cut pollution and costs, experts agree

Retail electricity rates tied to hourly wholesale power market costs could shape consumer usage, executives told Platts last week.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

DC project could pave way for PACE funding to flow to affordable, public housing

The District of Columbia will fund a renovation of the Phyllis Wheatley Young Women’s Christian Association, including efficiency and solar investments, in a new use of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2015

Minnesota Power proposal raises residential rates 14.5% to finance lower prices for industry

A new monthly charge will appear on Minnesota Power's residential energy bills in order to lower rates for major industrial customers by about 5%.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2015

Rocky Mtn Power will compare cost to serve solar customers before fixed charge decision

Utah regulators want more information on the costs and benefits of distributed generation before a decision on fixed charges. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 16, 2015

Why clean energy advocates are challenging SCE's historic storage buy

Southern California Edison's award for new capacity resources has drawn criticism from intervenors who think it relies too much on gas and not enough on alternative resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2015

PJM: Winter is coming, and the grid is ready

The U.S. Energy Information Administration is predicting electricity usage to be lower this winter, but the largest grid operator in the country says it will still be prepared for periods of prolonged cold and high demand. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2015

New York denies water use permit for Indian Point nuke in push to close plant

Those in favor of shuttering the facility say the denial of a water use permit could block the plant from operating, but Entergy says the certificate may not be necessary for relicenscing.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2015

Pot power: How utilities and regulators are dealing with the budding marijuana industry

Growing marijuana requires so much power that electric utilities across the nation are taking notice, but federal law limits how much they can do.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 13, 2015

Dong Energy proposes world's largest offshore wind farm off Massachusetts coast

The project proposed by the Danish developer may have a capacity as large as 1,000 MW, which would make it the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

Ivanpah CSP project burns enough natural gas to qualify for CA cap-and-trade program

The giant CSP array still qualifies as renewable energy, but must cap and trade the natural gas emissions that come from an adjacent generator used to smooth the variable generation's grid integration.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

Utilities spend $2.3M backing Florida solar initiative against 3rd party sales

Two groups are battling to put competing solar policy initiatives on Florida's ballot next November, with the utility-backed side raising millions more than the other side in October. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

AEP CEO: Clean Power Plan could be the 'catalyst' to transform utility industry

American Electric Power CEO Nick Akins said the government's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, when paired with large-scale solar, could tranform the nation's power grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2015

Exelon-Pepco merger critics seek investigation of DC Mayor over settlement deal

In a scandal critics are calling "Soccergate," merger opponents question the timing of a deal to support the construction of a new stadium for the soccer team D.C. United, saying it could be connected to the Exelon-Pepco merger. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 12, 2015