Hawaiian Electric's plan to end solar net metering, explained

HECO says it needs a new valuation structure to fairly compensate rooftop solar as penetration increases across the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 26, 2015

House GOP will propose changes to EPA coal ash rules

The changes are aimed at giving more certainty to job creators, and ultimately determining that coal ash is not a hazardous waste.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 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

Citing EPA regulations, Virginia bill would freeze Dominion rates until 2020

The proposal would exempt Dominion Virginia Power from base rate oversight until 2020.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2015

Vermont considers bolstering renewables standard

Proposed changes would stop utilities from essentially double-counting their renewable generation, backers say.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2015

Forecasts: Coal will be less than a third of U.S. generation by 2030

But the coal industry says rising natural gas prices will turn the nation back to their fuel.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2015

Study: 40% RPS for Minnesota would add $6.2B in investment

The Union of Concerned Scientists says renewables deployment would expand to nearly 6 GW in the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2015

Inside the coming showdown over rooftop solar in Indiana

GOP backers say HB 1320 would boost solar, but renewables advocates say it would misdirect lawmakers, regulators and consumers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2015

Florida legislators bring bills to boost solar, limit utilities' billing power

Bipartisan clean energy activism in the Sunshine State gives legislators cover to take on utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 22, 2015

APS drafted anti-solar leasing letter signed by Ariz. legislators

Ariz. representatives are suspicious of solar installers' lease provisions and market practices. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 22, 2015

Wellinghoff and Tong: A common confusion over net metering is undermining utilities and the grid

'Cost-shifting' and 'not paying your fair share' are not the same thing, Jon Wellinghoff and James Tong write in a guest post.

By Jon Wellinghoff and James Tong • Jan. 22, 2015

Why utilities across the nation are embracing community solar

Power companies are quickly discovering how their customers can go solar without getting off the grid.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 22, 2015

Nebraska senators propose state wind tax credit to replace federal PTC

New EPA pollution rules will drive wind demand and grow Nebraska’s economy, backers say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2015

Bipartisan coalition pushes to expand net metering in Montana

Solar advocates want energy independence, but opponents call solar a “melanoma” and say it has created too many problems elsewhere.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2015

Where the electric vehicle boom is happening and how utilities can take advantage

In the chicken-egg equation of what will drive the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles, states are offering increasing incentives for the constructive of charging stations.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2015

Obama highlights climate change, renewables, nat gas in State of the Union

A confident President Obama reiterated his commitment to EPA regulations aimed at fighting global warming.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 21, 2015

FERC OKs raising PJM offer cap to $1,800/MWh for short-term winter pricing

Raising the cap will help ensure high winter costs do not force generation offline.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2015

New proposed net metering reforms could boost Missouri's solar industry

An expanded eligible system size and shift from monthly to annual true-up would increase solar’s value.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 20, 2015

Solar advocates set to challenge Wisc. regulators on net metering math

The switch granted to We Energies for monthly true-ups diminish solar's value proposition in the state, advocates say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 20, 2015

The Exelon-Pepco merger: Inside the debate over what may soon be America's biggest utility

Critics say the merger would hamper distributed generation and give Exelon outsized influence in power markets and policy decisions. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 20, 2015

Obama admin. appeals to Supreme Court on FERC Order 745

FERC has the authority to regulate demand response in retail energy markets, the Justice Department says.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 16, 2015

Renewables enjoy new bipartisan consensus, but efficiency standards remain under attack

Even conservatives are coming around on green energy, observers say, but efficiency benchmarks remain controversial in state capitals around the country.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 16, 2015

CPUC plan for community solar stirs controversy with renewables advocates

Solar advocates take exception with fees for community solar the CPUC would let utilities impose on users.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 15, 2015

Boulder municipal utility plans hit another setback

The city will have to present condemnation plans to state regulators before it can pursue Xcel Energy's local distribution system.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2015

Groups ask Hawaii PSC to focus on HECO reforms before acquisition

Clean energy advocates are worried regulators will let NextEra take over before completing reforms to modernize HECO's grid and boost distributed generation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2015

How new turbine technology will open up the Southeast to wind development

"The message is that wind energy could be a more significant generation opportunity in this region than you thought." 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 15, 2015