NRG to close, convert or retrofit 4 Illinois coal plants

One plant will be shuttered, another will be switched to natural gas and two more will receive environmental retrofits.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 7, 2014

Michigan utilities, solar advocates find harmony on community solar

DTE Energy, Consumers Energy and advocates like community solar but net metering and incentives fights go on.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 6, 2014

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

Mississippi Power to buy renewables, convert coal units

Sierra Club reached a settlement with the Southern Co. subsidiary over the construction of the Kemper IGCC plant. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 5, 2014

Will fixed charges on rooftop solar drive consumers off-grid?

With the price of solar-plus-storage dropping, a bill charge could make using the grid too costly.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 5, 2014

FirstEnergy wants regulated utilities to subsidize unregulated power fleet

FirstEnergy has filed rate plans for its regulated utilities to buy power from retail electricity seller FirstEnergy Soluitons.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 5, 2014

Ameren CEO: EPA emissions rule is 'unworkable'

Ameren says the EPA rule asks for too much too soon and may be illegal.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 5, 2014

AEP's Ohio Power takes net metering to state supreme court

FirstEnergy Ohio, Dayton Power & Light, and Duke Energy may also argue net metering causes a cost shift.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2014

How should utilities value solar?

Solar is a revenue opportunity utilities can no longer ignore. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2014

Xcel creates two new transmission companies

Two new Xcel subsidiaries will compete in the Southwest Power Pool and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2014

Exelon pushes Illinois lawmakers to subsidize nuclear fleet

Losing revenue to renewables, Exelon argues nuclear will help meet Illinois emissions goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2014

Is Minnesota preparing to overhaul the utility business model?

New initiative bring stakeholders together to discuss utility of the future. 

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 1, 2014

PG&E earnings down 18% as San Bruno explosion continues to plague utility

Higher operating costs, including an estimated $2.7 billion to deal with the aftermath of the gas pipeline explosion, drove earnings down.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 1, 2014

Electricity demand down on cool summer weather in Texas

But ERCOT warned no one knows what August holds. 

By Claire Cameron • July 31, 2014

NRG CEO calls on corporate America to lead 'bottom-up' clean energy revolution

“For the first time in American history, could we have a social movement that’s actually triggered by corporations?"

By Claire Cameron • July 31, 2014

Jon Wellinghoff: Utilities are not driving clean energy growth

In an interview with Utility Dive, the former FERC chairman noted no utility "has an inherent incentive to improve the efficiency of its customer."

By Davide Savenije • July 31, 2014

HECO wants demand response to help integrate renewables

The Hawaiian Electric Companies want to give customers the financial incentives to help mitigate the impact of variable renewables.

By Claire Cameron • July 31, 2014

New York utility plans to operate microgrids

Microgrids, demand response and more community solar are all part of Central Hudson Gas & Electric's $46 million rate case.

By Claire Cameron • July 31, 2014

FERC: EPA emissions cuts may require 'complete redesign' of electricity markets

Markets could be pushed toward a complete redesign and a de facto carbon fee

By Herman K. Trabish • July 30, 2014

What are the top utilities for renewables and efficiency?

There is a wide range of performance even amongst companies in similar operating environments and market structures.

By Davide Savenije • July 30, 2014

Utilities, automakers to pilot EPRI's new electric vehicle control platform

Fifteen utilities and eight auto manufacturers aim to turn electric vehicles into grid assets under a universal platform. 

By Claire Cameron • July 30, 2014

Idaho Power seeks approval for 120MW of new solar

Idaho regulators will review solar projects with levelized costs of 7 cents per kilowatt-hour.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 29, 2014

Xcel CEO: 'We'll reduce carbon by 30% by 2030'

The utility leads on efficiency and renewables, according to a new report.

By Claire Cameron • July 29, 2014

Salt River Project to retire 750 MW coal unit by 2020

2,760 MW of Southwest coal power is scheduled for retirement by 2020. 

By Claire Cameron • July 29, 2014

As solar grows, Madison utility seeks rate structure change

A proposed move from usage-based rates to a monthly charge could hurt renewables and efficiency.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 28, 2014

DTE Energy to retire more coal in anticipation of EPA rules

Only the 500 megawatt Trenton Channel Power Plant unit 9 will remain.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 28, 2014