Obama administration and FERC not happy with House energy bill

The Department of Energy has expressed concern that a proposal being considered by lawmakers in the House would block its ability to issue efficiency standards.

By Robert Walton • June 9, 2015

In Maine, missing conjunction leads to legislative dysfunction

Maine lawmakers are struggling to fix a $38 million clerical error created when the state's 2013 energy legislation was signed into law with a missing word -- "and."

By Robert Walton • June 8, 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

Power industry spending on federal lobbying declines

Data shows a decline in the amount major power players are spending to lobby federal lawmakers.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2015

Maine lawmakers propose groundbreaking way out of net metering wars

The Market-based Aggregation Credit is a new way to apply a Value of Solar study.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 8, 2015

PNM seeks more time to complete San Juan coal plant deals

PNM needs time to buy all 4 units and complete a coal deal for the 2 units it will keep running. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 5, 2015

California lawmakers advance regulatory reforms package without judicial review provision

Reforms would leave commissioners as sole arbiters of their own actions.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 5, 2015

Connecticut legislature adjourns before taking up fixed-charge proposal

The bill aimed to restrict how utilities could spend fixed fees collected from customers.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2015

California Senate passes sweeping 12 bill climate & renewables package

Approval from the lower house is still needed to turn proposed mandates on renewable energy and CO2 emissions into law.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 5, 2015

Federal regulators approve Iberdrola-UIL merger

The combined company will have almost 7 GW of installed capacity.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2015

Report: Utilities struggle to find new business models

Environmental policies and the growth of distributed generation are also significant challenges for the industry.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2015

Report: Rooftops in US cities could host 5,000 MW of solar

Policy barriers to solar leasing are the main obstacle to what a think tank calls a golden opportunity for solar growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 4, 2015

White House, GOP find agreement on energy infrastructure issues

The Obama administration's plan to spend billions modernizing the electric grid has found common ground with some Republicans.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2015

Missouri regulators indicate they will reject Grain Belt Express transmission line

3 Commissioners say the benefits of new wires don't justify granting eminent domain.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 4, 2015

BLM fast tracks permitting for 3 solar projects worth 440 MW on federal land

Streamlined permitting in pre-identified development zones shows the feds can move faster.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 3, 2015

Central Hudson rate case will test REV rules on distributed resources

Central Hudson Gas & Electric included distributed energy resources in its new rate case, causing independent generators to question whether it violates state rules.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2015

Inside Minnesota's legislative battle over utility rate structures and solar

A special legislative session is in the offing after the veto of a controversial rate structure bill.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 3, 2015

How the EPA Clean Power Plan will transform the US energy system

Carbon regulations will mean huge changes for solar, but how fast the market grows will depend on a number of policy choices and economic conditions.  

By Gavin Bade • June 3, 2015

DC Circuit Court rejects challenges to EPA ozone regulations

The top federal appeals court in the nation rejected multiple challenges to the agency's broad powers to regulate ground-level ozone, caused by fossil fuel burning. 

By Gavin Bade • June 2, 2015

PA regulators propose net metering cap at 200% of system owner's demand

Commission sees the need to limit net metered generation before it burdens the system

By Herman K. Trabish • June 2, 2015

After Senate showdown, Buffett's Berkshire pushes PURPA reform in House

Berkshire Hathaway Energy wants to do away with requirements that utilities purchase power from small renewable and cogeneration facilities.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2015

Utilities claim MISO charges millions in unjustified transmission fees

Southern Co. and three utilities located in Missouri claim the Midcontinent ISO has been overcharhing them by millions to bring power across the Entergy grid which the regional operator began managing in 2013.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2015

Ballot initiative, falling costs, energy storage drive Florida utilities into solar

The right policies could make the Sunshine State a solar state, activists say.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 2, 2015

DC Attorney General opposes Exelon-Pepco merger, Council pases study of utility alternatives

More trouble for Exelon in the nation's capital, the last jurisdiction left to approve the deal.

By Gavin Bade • June 1, 2015

Texas renewables mandate repeal bill flounders in state House

Sen. Troy Fraser's SB 931 to end the Texas renewables mandate and defund a transmission build out is going nowhere.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2015

Illinois AG, consumer group accuse Dynegy of MISO market manipulation

Federal regulators will take comment on the allegations until June 17.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2015