EPA’s proposed carbon rules omit both the peaker problem and the peaker solution

The EPA completely overlooked co-located battery storage as a “best system of emissions reduction” in its latest proposal to reduce carbon emissions from fossil-fueled power plants.

By Shelley Robbins • Sept. 12, 2023

Price over performance: Why green energy is different from previous technology revolutions

The green energy revolution won't provide the massive performance advantages seen in previous technology revolutions. Instead, it must be driven by price.

By Robin Gaster • Sept. 8, 2023

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

California central buyer proposal could boost Pacific offshore wind industry, advocates say

California has adopted preliminary planning goals to install between 2 and 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and 25 GW by 2045.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Sept. 18, 2023

To spur clean energy, transmission buildout, NRDC calls for focus on affected communities

The Natural Resources Defense Council on Wednesday recommended steps to lift clean energy barriers, including quickly designating “national interest” transmission corridors.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 7, 2023

Ninth Circuit largely upholds FERC PURPA reform decision affecting small solar, wind

The appeals court on Tuesday told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to assess how its decision would affect the environment but didn’t vacate the order.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 6, 2023

DOE’s error-ridden analysis on coal CCS project threatens climate and engagement goals

Evaluating whether technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture provide more benefit than harm is a critical activity for the U.S. on our decarbonization journey.

By Emily Grubert • Sept. 5, 2023

As Ørsted, others seek up to 71% hike in clean energy contract prices, NYSERDA warns of rate increases

Proposals to raise offshore wind and onshore renewable energy contract prices in New York would push residential rates up by 4% a month, according to a state agency.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 31, 2023

Clean energy investment is surging, but success is far from guaranteed

The newfound ambition to build a clean energy economy by mid-century has exposed foundational flaws in approving and connecting energy projects that, if not addressed soon, will make this goal impossible.

By Jason Grumet • Aug. 31, 2023

1 year later, EV and battery projects dominate Inflation Reduction Act-driven investment

The solar and wind industries have also seen significant investment spurred by the IRA, while interest in biofuels and energy efficiency has lagged.

By Kate Magill , Julia Himmel • Aug. 30, 2023

Kentucky PSC rejects AEP utility’s 250-MW cryptomining power supply contract

Kentucky Power’s proposed power supply contract could have increased electricity bills for all the utility’s customers, the state commission said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 30, 2023

Amid record heat, CAISO’s day-ahead market is proving the value of a regional grid

Establishing the Extended Day-Ahead Market is a significant milestone, but we need to get to a true regional grid, a Western Regional Transmission Organization, to achieve maximum benefits. 

By Mona Tierney-Lloyd and Jack Wadleigh • Aug. 30, 2023

Vermont PUC lifts caps on Green Mountain Power battery storage programs with Tesla, others

Demand for GMP’s Tesla-based and “bring your own device” energy storage programs has outstripped annual caps in the wake of winter storms and summer floods.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 29, 2023

On clean energy tax credits, mayors want clearer federal guidance

New incentives could turbocharge local climate action, but resource-limited cities need clarity on how to use them, over 50 mayors said in a letter to the Treasury Department.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 29, 2023

NRC lacks authority to license private, away-from-reactor nuclear waste facility: 5th Circuit

Congress and the Biden administration should see this decision as a wake-up call to enact practical policy solutions for the disposal and storage of spent nuclear fuel, the American Nuclear Society said.

By Larry Pearl • Aug. 29, 2023

Every load an island: Requiring hourly matching of clean electricity purchases would raise emissions

Mandating it widely would stifle the development of the clean hydrogen industry, smother the voluntary market for clean electricity purchases and needlessly increase costs in compliance markets.

By Arne Olson, Nick Schlag, Greg Gangelhoff, and Anthony Fratto • Aug. 29, 2023

Big River Steel to pay $22M for receiving MISO demand response payments without cutting load

Entergy Arkansas agreed to return $8.2 million to its customers via bill credits, according to a FERC-approved agreement.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 28, 2023

4 fixes utilities can make to boost energy equity

If only throwing money at the problem of energy affordability and equity could solve it, we’d be in much better shape today than we are. Money is important, and required, but insufficient on its own.

By Ben Nathan • Aug. 28, 2023

American Clean Power asks FERC to hold conference on capacity accreditation

Improving the patchwork approach to measuring the reliability value of power plants, energy storage and other resources would bolster the grid, according to the trade group.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 25, 2023

CAISO seeks FERC approval for Western day-ahead market, with 2025 start date

The grid operator’s proposal is a key step in developing electricity markets in the West but faces competition from the Southwest Power Pool.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 24, 2023

The American power system is changing. How can electricity rates keep up?

As the industry prepares for the electrification of different sectors of the economy, experts are looking at new ways to make electricity rates more equitable. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 24, 2023

NERC assessment identifies new risk to grid reliability: energy policy

Grid transformation, extreme weather events, security and critical infrastructure interdependencies are also areas of risk, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2023

DOJ raises market power concerns for PJM in Vistra-Energy Harbor deal

Vistra could withhold power from a gas-fired power plant in Ohio to increase prices for nuclear plants that would be bought in the roughly $6.3 billion deal, the DOJ’s Antitrust Division said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 23, 2023

Only 6% of gas capacity needs major changes to meet EPA’s proposed GHG rules: RMI report

Power plant owners most affected by the EPA proposal are Florida Power & Light, Georgia Power, Entergy Louisiana, Southern Power and Duke Energy Florida, according to RMI’s analysis.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Aug. 25, 2023

Environmental groups sue to block Virginia’s RGGI exit

The groups say the executive branch’s withdrawal from a legislatively established commitment is unlawful.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 22, 2023

The Airbnb of power: Why the electricity sector is ripe for platformization

With the rise of rooftop solar, electric vehicles and home storage, more and more consumers now own their own generation assets — a resource potential that platform business models can tap into.

By By Tobias Menzel, Timm Teubner, Eric Gervet and Hanjo Arms • Aug. 22, 2023