The new guide to the nation's best solar policies — and how to emulate them

It takes a suite of good policies to significantly boost solar, but every state is "different and special and changing."

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 8, 2015

Boulder releases muni finance data showing electicity price increases

The city has published a cash flow analysis of its municipalization plans but will not have to release software that helped develop its models.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Have Santa Fe's plans for a municipal utility hit a roadblock?

New Mexico law may not allow Santa Fe to to force Public Service Co. of New Mexico to sell its distribution system.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2015

Virginia Supreme Court pushed to review Dominion transmission plan

The state's high court will decide if regulators properly balanced historic site protections with the need for new power in approving Dominion's proposal.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 7, 2015

EPA delays Clean Power Plan regulations until summer

The EPA says it needs more time to consider stakeholder input and align standards for new, existing, and modified plants.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 7, 2015

Arizona's utility-owned solar programs: The new business models utilities are looking for?

APS will pay a monthly fee to solar hosts solar and TEP will reward them through rates.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 7, 2015

GOP-led ballot measure seeks to grow rooftop solar market in Florida

If successful, the ballot measure would allow solar operators to sell power directly to other consumers.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 7, 2015

Missouri utilities propose new fixed charges to cover infrastructure costs

KCP&L and Empire Electric want new charges to mitigate fixed and variable charge “distortions.”

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 6, 2015

Exelon needs to nearly double power prices to keep Ginna nuclear plant open

New York regulators' tolerance of unprofitable plants will be tested in the coming months.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 6, 2015

Arizona regulator admonishes rooftop solar industry

Commissioner Bob Stump, who stepped down as chair of the Arizona Corporation Commission, warned the rooftop solar industry to turn down its rhetoric.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 2015

California Gov. Brown sets 50% renewable energy goal by 2030

In his inaugural address, Gov. Jerry Brown called for California to get half its power from renewables in 15 years.  

By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 2015

Activists push for new RTO as Southeast utility reserve margins called into question

NC WARN wants federal regulators to investigate Duke, Southern, FPL, TVA, and other Southeastern utilities, saying their new generation capacity is actually unneeded overbuilding aimed at pumping profits and blocking renewables.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 6, 2015

Future of coal at stake as New Mexico regulators consider PNM plan

The replacement of Sun Juan coal units is expected to set a new direction for generation in the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 5, 2015

Southwest Power Pool plans new gas plants, transmission to meet EPA rules

The RTO’s upgrades will add up to 21 GW of natural gas generation and 3.3 GW of wind to replace coal

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 5, 2015

For some states, 2015 begins with stronger renewables mandates

Increasing renewable portfolio standards have kicked in for utilities in four states.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2015

Study: Spending on outage managment systems to reach $1.3B in 2023

Utilities will increase spending on smart technologies to streamline outage detection and repair, Navigant Research found.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 2, 2015

North Carolina regulators reject proposals to change utility-scale solar regulations

NCUC upholds standard contract term, project size, and avoided cost calculation for utility scale solar projects.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 2, 2015

Global utility-scale PV sets new build record for 5th year running

Cumulative utility-scale PV capacity grew over 10,000 megawatts in 2014 to over 30.3 gigawatts

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 1, 2015

Poll finds support for EPA low ahead of standoff with Congress

Some 40% polled think EPA rules are detrimental to the economy 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 29, 2014

EPA's long-awaited coal ash rule pleases nobody

EPA says it went as far as the law and the facts will allow in ruling on the handling of coal ash.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 28, 2014

D.C. Circuit Court overturns EPA ozone standard extensions

The Clean Air Act demands that standards come sooner, the court said. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 27, 2014

Commissioner Michael Picker nominated to head CPUC

Amid the PG&E email scandal, Jerry Brown has chosen one of his own to head the CPUC.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 26, 2014

New PG&E emails show more unethical dealings with California regulators

Commission Chair Peevey warned the utility on negotiations over its deadly pipeline explosion.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 23, 2014

PJM wants to postpone plant retirements to ensure reliability

The regional grid operator says scheduled plant retirements next year could put reliability at risk in the winter.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 23, 2014

IEA: U.S. doesn't really have an energy policy

The International Energy Agency says clarity is needed, especially around nuclear and carbon capture technologies.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 23, 2014