BLM, state set new standards for renewables development plan for California desert

Environmentalists applauded land protections on the plan, but the wind industry says it could put the state's 50% renewables mandate in jeopardy. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Hawaii distributed energy and smart grid companies form new trade group

“It is not just about solar anymore,” says the a founding member of the Distributed Energy Resources Council of Hawaii.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 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

Beyond fixed charges: 'Disruptive Challenges' author charts new utility path

If Peter Kind's 2013 paper put the utility sector on notice, this one could give it whiplash.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

TPO showdown: Duke faces off against greens over NC church's solar array

NC WARN is testing the limits of North Carolina third party ownership law and Duke wants to put a stop to it.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

NARUC 2015: How the Clean Power Plan is transforming 'baseload' generation

EPA regulations and economic forces are changing the way utilities think about baseload power.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 11, 2015

Utilities spend $1.6M to influence Michigan energy policy debate

The state is considering major changes to its renewables goals and its market design.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2015

Court rejects Dominion's move to block Sierra Club coal ash lawsuit

The Sierra Club lawsuit can proceed, the federal judge ruled, rejecting Dominion Virginia Power's claims that Sierra Club's arguments are illegitimate over potential coal ash water contamination from a Dominion power plant. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 11, 2015

NARUC 2015: Utilities push regulators to shift focus to Clean Power Plan compliance

As legal challenges play out, state utility regulators are preparing to comply with the EPA's emissions rule.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 10, 2015

Many states opposed to the CPP are working on compliance plans

Even the states that are suing the EPA are developing compliance strategies for the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2015

Judge allows SolarCity lawsuit against Arizona utility SRP to move forward

An Arizona federal judge threw out SolarCity's claims for monetary damages and non-monetary relief but ruled that the lawsuit can proceed.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 10, 2015

DOE approves $1.2B transmission line for Canadian wind and hydro

The transmission line expected to import 1,000 MW of Canadian wind and hydro power to New England nears regulatory completion. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 10, 2015

AEP Ohio wholesale auction prices continue to decline, stressing utilities

Falling power prices in AEP Ohio's wholesale auction are creating problems for nuclear and coal generators.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 9, 2015

Sierra Club: Power sector's carbon emissions hit lowest level since 1995

Coal retirements have put the United States in a strong position ahead of Paris climate talks planned this month, according to a new Sierra Club report. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2015

Arizona utility TEP wants to add solar fee, reduce net metering credit

Tucson Electric Power is asking for several changes to its rates as it commits to 30% renewables by 2030. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015

California solar advocates bring wheelbarrows of petitions to net metering fight

Solar advocates push to extend California's retail net energy metering credit as utility regulators consider three proposals from major utilities to add fixed charges and lower credits for solar users.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015

44 states take sides in Clean Power Plan legal melee

Virtually every state has staked out a side, either for or against, the Obama adminstration's signature climate legislation with six remaining neutral. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2015

Arizona Supreme Court to decide if waste qualifies as a renewable resource

The Sierra Club has asked the court to prevent waste-to-biofuels facilities from qualifying for the state's renewable energy mandate.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015

NYISO: Closing NRG Huntly and Dunkirk coal plants won't threaten reliability

Lawmakers have already put a $19 million relief package together for communities, and both plants are scheduled to come offline in early 2016. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015

Regulators reject part of Boulder muni bid, but case moves forward

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission determined some portion of the city of Boulder's plan to form a municipal utility ran afoul of the doctine of regulated monopolies, but the city will have a chance to amend its application.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2015

Midwest power co-ops face steep challenges for Clean Power Plan compliance

Co-op officials aren't excited by the prospect of compliance with the regulatory package, which will push them to draw down coal generation and invest in cleaner energy.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2015

Puerto Rico Gov. Padilla floats bill to restructure debt-strapped PREPA

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority needs to restructure more than $8 billion in debt while modernizing its generation fleet and grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2015

Greens slam SoCal Edison plan for 3 new gas plants in $12B grid modernization

While SCE is one of the nation's leading utilities in energy storage, it wants to construct three new gas plants it says are needed to integrate more renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2015

House subcommittee passes 2 resolutions to roll back EPA carbon rules

Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky) shepherded the measures through a House subcommittee, but the long-term outlook is dim for any legislative attempt at rolling back the Clean Power Plan.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2015

Hawaii PUC allows public utility alternatives to be considered in NextEra merger case

As a part of the proceeding on the merger of NextEra and Hawaiian Electric, the commission will hear presentations on the feasibility of co-ops, munis, and LNG for state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 5, 2015

Wind's huge October: Generation records set in 4 of 7 organized markets

Better turbines and new installed capacity from the recent ‘wind rush’ make the resource a significant part of the energy supply on grids across the nation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 5, 2015