CA government, SMUD contract for 100% renewable power for state buildings

California's state government contract with local muni in Sacramento makes the Brown administration one of the biggest U.S. renewables buyers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2015

A good rate design is hard to find: Experts push utility-solar compromise

As utilties step up their efforts to compensate for perceived cost shifts caused by rooftop solar, getting rates right will be essential for both power company revenues and DER growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 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

Atlantic Coast pipeline group requests FERC approval

Federal regulators are asked to approve a 564-mile pipeline that would move gas supplies from West Virginia into North Carolina.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2015

New study casts doubt on Massachusetts hydro plan, but governor stands firm

Allowing Massachusetts utilities to source up to one-third of their energy supply from Canadian hydropower could raise rates almost $800 million annually, according to a new report from The Analysis Group.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2015

Michigan Republican proposes expanding state's energy choice program

State Rep. Gary Glenn (R) has proposed opening Michigan's energy choice program to schools, hospitals, government entities and those buying renewable power.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2015

Potential merger partners UIL, Iberdrola agree to clean up English Station coal plant

The state's attorney general had made the cleanup a condition of his support for the companies proposed merger. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 18, 2015

New Hampshire PUC clears way for electric utilities to own gas pipeline capacity

Struggling with the retirement of older generation and a dearth of gas capacity, a report from staff of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission finds electric utilities could legally purchase space on pipelines.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2015

SunPower: Keys to solar success are utility partners, being a 'good citizen of the grid'

The company's strong utility relationships have helped it grow in multiple solar sectors, an exec says.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 17, 2015

The top 10 trends transforming the electric power sector

From the decline of coal power to the rise of energy storage, big changes are quickly taking hold in the industry.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 17, 2015

CA lawmakers send CPUC reform bills to Gov. Brown

The slate of bills aims to limit back-channel communications between regulators and the companies they oversee.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 17, 2015

Berkeley study favors carrot over stick when it comes to green policies

Initial green policies often turn into industry growth strategies, but a team from UC Berkeley finds incentives work better than penalities.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 17, 2015

Joe Biden at SPI: 'We are on the cusp of something huge'

In the first executive office visit to a solar conference, Vice President Joe Biden praised the renewable energy sector and took aim at its fossil fuel opponents.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 17, 2015

IOU, co-op or muni? Experts debate the creation of public utilities

Debate over the NextEra-HEI merger has sparked a new campaign to form a public utility in Hawaii, but is that model superior to an IOU?

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 16, 2015

Settlement reached in New York to keep Ginna nuclear plant running

Consumer advocates, staff of the New York Public Service Commission and large industrial consumers are expected to file the settlment in a week.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2015

North Carolina budget compromise does not include renewable tax credit extension

The state's 35% tax credit for renewable energy projects is set to expire at the end of the year.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2015

CPUC pushed to study solar-storage further after filing pegs value at $0.25/kWh

California is at risk of improperly valuing storage unless it opens a separate regulatory track on its value, an industry group says. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 15, 2015

GOP congress pessimistic on legislative challenges to Clean Power Plan

Conservative lawmakers increasingly see the courts as their last chance to stop the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 15, 2015

New Mexico unveils first broad energy plan since 1991

The new policy will embrace all energy sources, according to Gov. Susana Martinez.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 15, 2015

Big C&I energy consumers oppose Ohio proposals to guarantee plant income

Large energy users in Ohio say proposals to support coal and nuclear generation that would place the risk on consumers are not appropriate.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 15, 2015

New Hampshire opens regulatory discussion on grid modernization

New Hampshire regulators are seeking comments on how the state's power grid can be made more resiliant, flexible and incorporate more DERs.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 15, 2015

SPI 2015: Tax credit sunset preoccupies a fast-maturing industry

Growing pains hit solar industry as a rift appears over the fight for the extension of a vital federal tax credit.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 15, 2015

CA lawmakers pass bill to bolster efficiency, mandate 50% renewables by 2030

The mandate, originally proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown, now heads to his desk for a signature. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 14, 2015

Sierra Club fights Buffett-owned Pacific Power bid to shorten PURPA contracts

Pacific Power has proposed reducing PURPA contrascts from 15 years to three, drawing fire from opponents who see it as an attack on renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2015

SoCalEdison & SolarCity partner to study aggregated distributed resources

The pilot project will study 50 homes equipped with solar, storage, controllable thermostats, and smart inverters.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 14, 2015

SDG&E moves to transitional 3-tier rate structure this month

Investor-owned electricity provider also preps customers for move to 2 tiers in Spring 2016

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 14, 2015