California Senate passes sweeping 12 bill climate & renewables package

Approval from the lower house is still needed to turn proposed mandates on renewable energy and CO2 emissions into law.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 5, 2015

Federal regulators approve Iberdrola-UIL merger

The combined company will have almost 7 GW of installed capacity.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 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

Report: Utilities struggle to find new business models

Environmental policies and the growth of distributed generation are also significant challenges for the industry.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2015

Report: Rooftops in US cities could host 5,000 MW of solar

Policy barriers to solar leasing are the main obstacle to what a think tank calls a golden opportunity for solar growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 4, 2015

White House, GOP find agreement on energy infrastructure issues

The Obama administration's plan to spend billions modernizing the electric grid has found common ground with some Republicans.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2015

Missouri regulators indicate they will reject Grain Belt Express transmission line

3 Commissioners say the benefits of new wires don't justify granting eminent domain.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 4, 2015

BLM fast tracks permitting for 3 solar projects worth 440 MW on federal land

Streamlined permitting in pre-identified development zones shows the feds can move faster.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 3, 2015

Central Hudson rate case will test REV rules on distributed resources

Central Hudson Gas & Electric included distributed energy resources in its new rate case, causing independent generators to question whether it violates state rules.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2015

Inside Minnesota's legislative battle over utility rate structures and solar

A special legislative session is in the offing after the veto of a controversial rate structure bill.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 3, 2015

How the EPA Clean Power Plan will transform the US energy system

Carbon regulations will mean huge changes for solar, but how fast the market grows will depend on a number of policy choices and economic conditions.  

By Gavin Bade • June 3, 2015

DC Circuit Court rejects challenges to EPA ozone regulations

The top federal appeals court in the nation rejected multiple challenges to the agency's broad powers to regulate ground-level ozone, caused by fossil fuel burning. 

By Gavin Bade • June 2, 2015

PA regulators propose net metering cap at 200% of system owner's demand

Commission sees the need to limit net metered generation before it burdens the system

By Herman K. Trabish • June 2, 2015

After Senate showdown, Buffett's Berkshire pushes PURPA reform in House

Berkshire Hathaway Energy wants to do away with requirements that utilities purchase power from small renewable and cogeneration facilities.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2015

Utilities claim MISO charges millions in unjustified transmission fees

Southern Co. and three utilities located in Missouri claim the Midcontinent ISO has been overcharhing them by millions to bring power across the Entergy grid which the regional operator began managing in 2013.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2015

Ballot initiative, falling costs, energy storage drive Florida utilities into solar

The right policies could make the Sunshine State a solar state, activists say.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 2, 2015

DC Attorney General opposes Exelon-Pepco merger, Council pases study of utility alternatives

More trouble for Exelon in the nation's capital, the last jurisdiction left to approve the deal.

By Gavin Bade • June 1, 2015

Texas renewables mandate repeal bill flounders in state House

Sen. Troy Fraser's SB 931 to end the Texas renewables mandate and defund a transmission build out is going nowhere.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2015

Illinois AG, consumer group accuse Dynegy of MISO market manipulation

Federal regulators will take comment on the allegations until June 17.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2015

Kansas ends 20% renewables mandate, replaces it with voluntary goal

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signed the bill last week, following a compromise between several different stakeholder groups.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2015

Kansas Gov. signs law directing agencies to comply with Clean Power Plan

While the state is still opposed to the Clean Power Plan, Gov. Brownback seems to believe making a state compliance ban is better than having the EPA do it for them.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2015

Xcel seeks fixed fee hike for Wisconsin customers

Fixed charges shift grid costs to more ratepayers but discourage energy efficiency and rooftop solar, critics say.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2015

What's solar worth? Inside Arizona utilities' push to reform net metering rates

APS and TEP want to boost the amount they can recover from solar owners when they reduce the electricity they buy from utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2015

SCE&G, Duke reach settlements to add 190 MW of solar in South Carolina

SCE&G will add 84 MW, and Duke will construct 106 MW, each split equally between utility-scale installments, and residential, C&I, and community solar projects.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 29, 2015

Minnesota regulators approve state's largest solar project for Xcel

The Aurora Solar Project will generate 100 MW from 21 locations around the state.

By Robert Walton • May 29, 2015

New Mexico regulators delay San Juan coal plant decision

Regulators delayed a decision on Public Service of New Mexico's plan to purchase additional power from the coal-fired facility.  

By Robert Walton • May 29, 2015