Michigan hearing pits utilities against consumer advocates in deregulation battle

Electric competition is saving some schools millions of dollars in Michigan, but utilities say it is a threat to reliability.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2015

Virginia town should not sell municipal utility, advisory group says

The study group is instead considering giving industrial customers a choice of power suppliers.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 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

Maryland lawmakers send community solar bills to governor

If signed into law, Maryland would become the 11th state offering residents access to community solar projects.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2015

House bill would allow states to delay EPA carbon rules during litigation

Critics of the proposal say it would give opponents of the Clean Power Plan a reason to litigate indefinitely.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2015

Clean Line proposes Grain Belt Express route for Illinois regulators

The HVDC line to deliver 3,500 MW of Kansas wind to points east aims to be in construction in 2017.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2015

D.C. Circuit Court will hear Clean Power Plan challenge on Thursday

The panel of three Republican-appointed judges will hear Murray Energy and 15 states request for “extraordinary writ” to halt the regulations.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2015

Mississippi will create net metering policy, requests public comment

A study last year found distributed solar generation could help avoid the need for additional infrastructure and could help take the pressure off of Mississippi's peaking resources.

By Robert Walton • April 14, 2015

Maine governor pushes bill to ease siting of small nuclear plants

Proposed changes to Maine's nuclear power laws would allow smaller nuclear reactors to be constructed without requiring  a referendum.

By Robert Walton • April 14, 2015

NRC approves PPL proposal to spin off nuclear plant

PPL Corp. appears to be closing in on final approvals needed to spin-off its competitive generation-off business.

By Robert Walton • April 14, 2015

Warren Buffett's PacifiCorp considers joining California ISO

If the utility integrates in the California system, it could mean expanded access to renewables and a financial hit for traditional generation. 

By Gavin Bade • April 14, 2015

Colorado's biggest coal users turn toward low-priced renewables

Tri-State G&T and Platte River Power discover the emerging affordability of wind and solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 14, 2015

Utilities, solar advocates at odds over Missouri net metering bill

The bill would order a solar cost-benefit analysis and, if needed, a “sub base rate.”

By Herman K. Trabish • April 14, 2015

California PUC fines PG&E record $1.6B for 2010 San Bruno pipeline blast

Commissioners will now investigate the utility’s safety culture.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 13, 2015

FERC cuts ITC Midwest's requested tariff adder in half

The commission split by “disincentive” for new transmission in decision

By Herman K. Trabish • April 13, 2015

NRDC: Low-income Americans will benefit most from Clean Power Plan

The Natural Resources Defense Council believes new carbon regulations will lead to healthier communities, financial savings, and give a boost to the nation's economy.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2015

FERC could alter gas industry day to coordinate with electric power demands

FERC is considering a plan to align the gas and electric scheduling days, as the two industries have been unable to reach consensus.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2015

HECO partners with the Navy for 50MW solar array at Pearl Harbor

The installation could be Hawaii’s first community solar project. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 10, 2015

Wisconsin joins lawsuit targeting EPA Clean Power Plan

A total of 14 states are now suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over carbon mandates expected to be finalized this summer.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2015

Six natural gas plants under construction in Ohio to replace coal generators

Ohio's generation mix is changing quickly in a nationwide trend of coal retirements. 

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2015

Nearly half of D.C. neighborhood governments opposed to Exelon-Pepco merger

Advisory Neighborhood Commissions are the most localized form of government in Washington, D.C. None of them have come out in support of the merger. 

By Gavin Bade • April 10, 2015

FERC denies incentives for SDG&E transmission project

San Diego Gas & Electric had requested a greater return on equity, citing risks inherent in the project's accelerated schedule.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2015

New Mexico regulatory hearing examiner refuses to endorse PNM coal plant plan

Support is eroding for Public Service Co. of New Mexico's plan to replace coal-fired generation from the San Juan generating facility.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2015

Southwest Power Pool: Carbon regulation compliance will cost billions annually

The grid operator also said almost generation to be retired exceeds initial estimates given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by almost 14,000 MW.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2015

How utilities can use solar to build new business models

A new RMI study offers three building blocks to make solar a grid asset.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 9, 2015

Montana will delay action on net metering until a study of its impacts is complete

NorthWestern Energy, concerned about a cost shift, supports the study.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 9, 2015