DistribuTECH 2015: California utility CEOs share (slightly) contrasting visions for the future

SDG&E CEO Jeffrey Martin and Edison International CEO Ted Craver spoke about new challenges and opportunities in their keynote addresses. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 4, 2015

Why utility execs say storage is the top emerging energy technology

From grid scale innovation to renewable gases, smart utilities are looking at many choices.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Oregon lawmakers file bill to ban coal power, limit natural gas expansion

The bill would ban coal, requires 90% cleaner fuels and blocks natural gas expansion. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 3, 2015

New PG&E program offers customers 100% solar option

Customers will soon be able to pay $0.02 to $0.03 per kwh extra to get 50% or 100% solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 3, 2015

More new emails detail PG&E, CPUC private meetings and wine preferences

The emails show PG&E coordinating with regulators on its public response to the San Bruno explosion of 2010.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2015

Obama's budget would make solar, wind tax credits permanent

The President's $4 trillion budget includes an entire chapter on combating climate change.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2015

How utilities are transforming their fuel mixes

“The assumption that DERs are anti-utility is a mental block. Utilities could easily jump into it," said one NRG Energy exec.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 2, 2015

Deepwater wind development sites yield modest sums in auction

RES America and Offshore MW win 25 year leases, but face high development costs in building their wind farms.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 2, 2015

Xcel CEO: 2015 will be 'a transformational year in Minnesota'

Xcel earnings rise as the company positions itself for a regulatory shift in Minnesota.

By Davide Savenije • Feb. 2, 2015

NY Gov. Cuomo orders review of NYISO

The state's energy markets were not designed for the spread of cleaner, distributed resources.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2015

New Florida bill would block utilities from passing on gas exploration costs

The bills backers say last month’s PSC-approved FPL investment in Oklahoma shale puts ratepayers at risk.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 30, 2015

U.S. wind finished 2014 with big numbers, quadrupling its 2013 build

Utilities contracted for 3,300 MW of wind in 2014 and 12,000 MW in the last 2 years.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 30, 2015

Washington state solar battle heats up, splitting installer trade groups

Are a trio of utility-backed bills meant to save or gut the state's burgeoning solar industry?

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2015

Vote on wind PTC extension fails in Senate

An amendment to extend wind production tax credits was added to the Keystone pipeline bill.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2015

State agents search homes of ex-CPUC chief Peevey, former PG&E exec

The fallout continues from the judge-shopping scandal in Pacific Gas & Electric Co.'s rate case last year.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2015

NV Energy accelerates solar development to beat tax credit deadline

Projects need to begin construction by mid-2015 to be sure of completion by the end of 2016, when the federal ITC expires.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2015

Michigan wind boom sparks controversy, calls for moratorium

Huron County is trying to find a way to grow 300 turbines into 1,000 with rules everyone can live with. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2015

How utilities can get in on the solar job bonanza

Solar energy offers immense growth opportunities, and utilities could play "a great role" if they get their acts together.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2015

6 thought leaders on the future of utility business models & regulation

Industry insiders explain what they think will shape the utility of the future.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 28, 2015

FERC: ISO-NE must find market-based reliability solution for winter months

Generators are worried the ISO was not moving quickly enough to enhance grid reliability for the punishing New England winters.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2015

San Francisco mayor calls for community choice aggregation program

Mayor Lee has opposed a CCA program passed by the city Board of Supervisors up to this point.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2015

What utility execs think the future holds

Utility Dive's survey of over 400 U.S. electric utility executives reveals old challenges and new opportunities for the industry.

By Davide Savenije • Jan. 27, 2015

California PUC fines PG&E $530,000 for safety violations

Among the violations, PG&E failed to immediately excavate and examine pipelines that showed signs of potential corrosion.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2015

West Virginia senator will use subcommittee chair to fight EPA regulations

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito intends to use the chairmanship of the Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee to fight the Obama Administration's coal policies.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2015

ERCOT: Wind topped 10% of Texas generation for first time in 2014

The Bush-Perry spending plan of more wind and more transmission for wind is paying off, observers say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 26, 2015