EPA set to finalize carbon trading models for Clean Power Plan in August 2016

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the release of the the final model for how carbon trading could help states comply with the Clean Power Plan.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 24, 2015

New York Gov. Cuomo orders 50% renewables in bid to save 2 nuke plants

New York has a goal of reaching 50% renewables, but sources told the New York Times that Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) will direct state regulators to make that goal a mandate in an effort to stave off the closure of two nuclear plants.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 24, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

Illinois to probe whether Wisconsin Energy, Integrys hid pipeline costs in merger proceeding

The Illinois Commerce Commission launched an investigation to see if executives knew costs associated with a Peoples Gas pipeline replacement project had almost doubled.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2015

War games: 350 utilities join feds in simulation of large-scale grid attack

Last week the North American Electric Reliability Corporation led a simulated attack on the United States' utility grid. Had it been real, some cities would have been left uninhabitable.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2015

The top 5 trends in distributed energy policy and rate design

From coast to coast, regulators are focused on net metering and rate design considering distributed resources, but analysts warn that such issues are "just the tip of the iceberg." 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 23, 2015

Montana utility withdraws bid for residential demand charge for DER customers

Montana Dakota Utilities withdrew its residential demand charge request, but still wants higher fixed charges and a boost in volumetric rates. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 23, 2015

Kauai co-op files plans for community shared renewables with Hawaii regulators

The plan calls for up to 3 MW of shared renewables currently priced from $0.101/kWh to $0.145/kWh.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 23, 2015

Senators resurrect 1970s financing tactic to boost carbon capture for coal plants

A bipartisan pair of lawmakers wants to allow businesses to use tax-exempt private activity bonds to finance the installation of carbon capture equipment.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2015

Major solar installer advocates expiration of solar investment tax credit

The extension of the 30% federal tax credit is not needed for the continued health of the industry, Sunnova's CEO wrote to congressional leaders this week.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 20, 2015

Ohio regulators to probe submetering companies reselling energy in apartments, condos

Allowing a third-party to resell energy in apartments and condominiums would likely be illegal in most states, and advocates are calling for greater scrutiny into the practice in Ohio. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2015

NY Gov. Cuomo pushes closure of Entergy Indian Point nuke in NRC filings

National security risks, deterioration of the facility and the plant's close proximity to New York City were all put forward as reasons to close Indian Point, even as Cuomo fights to keep another Entergy nuclear facility from closing. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2015

Honolulu mayor argues against public utility as alternative for NextEra-HECO merger

The city lacks the experience and the deep pockets neeed to replace Hawaiian Electric, Mayor Caldwell's office told city lawmakers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 20, 2015

EPA floats tougher cross-state pollution rules as Senate slams Clean Power Plan

The EPA wants more stringent standards on ozone and smog-causing pollution that floats across state lines, but conservatives in Congress aren't happy about the agency's active role in the Obama administration.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 2015

SoCal Edison blames poor management for Long Beach outages

Inadequate oversight and knowledge of the network were found to be causes of outages that left nearly 30,000 Southern California Edison customers in the dark this summer. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 19, 2015

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

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