Kansas regulators grant Westar rate hike, but push off solar fee decision

Kansas regulators have approved a $78 million rate increase for Westar Energy, the largest utility in the state.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2015

Louisiana approve Entergy bid to merge 2 in-state utility subsidiaries

The combination of Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana will produce a utility with more than $16 billion in assets.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 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

Is variable pricing the way out of Hawaii's solar wars?

Rates that vary with the grid’s needs may change customer behaviors, but will they settle the cost shift question?

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 27, 2015

Colorado PUC ruling maintains retail rate net metering 'status quo'

The PUC rejected Xcel's request to reduce the rate at which they pay solar customers for energy they generate.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 27, 2015

SolarCity wants to help utilities plan better for distributed resources

The leading national solar installer has a new, innovative framework to modernize utilities’ interconnection, planning, procurement, and data sharing practices.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 27, 2015

Nevada regulators vote to keep retail rate net metering through end of year

Nevada has hit its 235-MW cap on net metering, but regulators this week voted to allow current rates to continue through the end of the year.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2015

Michigan Tea Party lawmaker looks to incentivize solar, restructure energy choice

Green advocates in Michigan may have found an unlikely ally in Tea Party Republican state Rep. Gary Glenn.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2015

NRG: Western NY coal plant conversion in jeopardy due to Entergy lawsuit

Two years ago the state hailed a plan to convert the NRG Dunkirk coal facility to gas, but a lawsuit from Entergy Corp. challenging subsidies means the coversion has now been delayed.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2015

SoCal Edison integrating over 1,000 MW of demand response into wholesale markets

The utility takes advantage of new CAISO rules allowing aggregations of demand side resources to bid into wholesale markets.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 26, 2015

FPL's natural gas investment isn't saving customers money, yet

State regulators allowed Florida Power & Light to invest directly in natural gas production, but so far that decision is costing ratepayers millions of dollars.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2015

How will utilities profit in the future? New York's REV initiative is trying to figure it out

The Empire State is remaking its utility industry, but one key piece – where the money comes from – remains elusive, and regulators are taking a fairly hands-off approach to finding the answer.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2015

How demand flexibility is about to transform electricity delivery

For utilties, when consumers use energy could become just as important to their bottom lines as if they generate it themselves.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2015

485 MW Blythe Mesa solar project step closer to construction with BLM approval

Proposed by RRG Renewables, the project is the 57th renewable energy development the Bureau of Land Management has approved since 2009.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2015

DC regulators reject Exelon-Pepco merger

The merger that would have created America's largest electric utility has failed to clear its last hurdle.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 25, 2015

President Obama unveils executive actions to drive distributed energy growth

New loan programs and changes to the PACE program aim to help the nation meet the administration's goals of cutting carbon 32% by 2030.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 25, 2015

President Obama calls for clean energy revolution: 'There is something big happening in America'

President Obama shows renewed passion in his legacy fights against climate change and for renewable energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 25, 2015

NY Sen. Schumer pushes extension, changes for federal solar tax credit

The proposal would extend the tax credit beyond 2016 and would allow it to kick in once a project has begun, rather than been completed.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2015

Iowa regulators approve settlement for MidAmerican's 552 MW 'Wind X' project

Regulators have approved a settlement allowing the 552-MW wind facility to move ahead, if MidAmerican accepts the terms.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2015

Idaho regulators reduce PURPA contracts from 20 to 2 years

The decision, a victory for the state's major electric utilities, is designed to keep customers from paying high costs for renewable generation, critics say.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2015

How Warren Buffett's bet on an Energy Imbalance Market in the West is paying off

NV Energy is in, Arizona Public Service and Puget Sound Energy are coming next year, and others want to know more.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2015

PJM auction results: Capacity payments to plants rise 37% in bid to avoid outages

While the auction results were good news for most existing generation, three of Exelon's nuclear plants did not clear.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 24, 2015

NV Energy hits net metering cap ahead of schedule, adding fuel to solar debate

The utility initially predicted it would hit the cap in 2016, which would have given regulators enough time to develop a new tariff.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 24, 2015

Nuclear industry darkened by delays, cost overruns at Vogtle & Summer facilities

Boosts to the industry could come from Energy Department loan guarantees and Clean Power Plan compliance credit. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2015

SunEdison solar bid for Xcel beats all comers, including natural gas

Xcel's Colorado subsidiary says it will buy power from the 156 MW Comanche solar installation at a price lower than gas, and without fuel price risks.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2015

Why can't utilities innovate like startups?

A new paper produced by a utility-private sector working group outlines how utilities can be set free to innovate.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2015