Minnesota regulators rule Xcel cannot profit on nuclear plant upgrade cost overruns

Utility will lose $24 million a year but will recover equipment replacement costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2015

PG&E faces questions over Diablo Canyon nuclear plant earthquake safety

$842 million upgrade may have failed to meet Fukushima-level standards.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

Xcel asks regulators to change community solar rules in Minnesota

The utility got over 400 applications for solar garden arrays in less than 3 months.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2015

Americans could pay more for clean energy. But will they really?

Customers are willing to pay up, but that willingness "rarely translates into practice," said the study's author.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2015

Michigan lawmakers propose to eliminate state's electric choice law

Another measure would also eliminate the state's renewable portfolio standard and efficiency targets.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2015

West Virginia governor signs bill giving state legislators approval over EPA compliance plan

The move drew praise from clean coal supporters.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2015

National solar installer group attacks AEP over 'shady tactics'

AEP says its rate structure is fair and that the group doesn't represent the opinions of its customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 6, 2015

Drawing controversy, solar net metering study finds $2M cost shift in Louisiana

Solar advocates call utility-funded study “biased.”

By Herman K. Trabish • March 6, 2015

Why it's so hard to monetize the distribution grid

Utilities and regulators must move quickly to set up markets beyond the substation.

By Gavin Bade • March 6, 2015

Environmental, consumer groups propose Illinois community solar pilot

Projects would be limited to 2 MW under a three-year pilot aimed at ComEd customers.

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2015

Michigan Democrats propose doubling state's renewable standard

Boosting the state's renewable standard could generate as much as $6 billion in economic activity, supporters say.

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2015

PJM: Regional CPP compliance with carbon price cheaper than state action

At a CO2 price of $20/ton, a combined-cycle unit’s running costs will increase by $7-$8/MWh, according to PJM.

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2015

CA bill would let non-utilities sell electricity to commercial, industrial customers

SB 286 worries utilities and ratepayer advocates, but tech companies back it.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2015

Inside California's plans to jump-start community solar development

The California community solar market could be huge if regulators don’t make it unaffordable and unpredictable.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2015

What's behind solar price variability, and why utilities get the best deals

Solar prices can vary widely, but research shows the most informed customers always seem to stay ahead of the curve.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2015

NRG, Calpine sue Texas PUC over transmission project

The generators say the Houston Import Project is expensive and unnecessary. 

By Robert Walton • March 5, 2015

Maryland Attorney General opposes Exelon-Pepco merger, urges regulators to reject

The state's position is a setback for Exelon, which had sweetened its merger deal for Maryland regulators this week.

By Robert Walton, Gavin Bade • March 5, 2015

Emails reveal CPUC's Florio had questionable relations with SoCal Edison officials

Commissioner Florio and the CPUC defend the interactions as “not meant to influence.”

By Herman K. Trabish • March 4, 2015

Price of Pennsylvania renewable energy credits doubles

Prices could continue to rise, spurring further investment in renewables. 

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2015

Colorado Dems kill GOP measure to roll back state renewables mandate

The bill would have reduced renewables requirements from 30% to 15% in 2020. 

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2015

Gov. Walker's Wisconsin budget discontinues support for biofuels research

A budget cut of matching funds puts millions in federal support in jeopardy.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 3, 2015

The new roadmap for the revival of offshore wind

As Block Island secures funding, a new white paper lays out policy strategies to revive the overall industry.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 3, 2015

All about the REV: How and why New York wants to develop distributed energy markets

Audrey Zibelman's vision: Taking deregulation to its logical conclusion. 

By Davide Savenije • March 3, 2015

Illinois budget crisis sets up controversy over efficiency funds

New Gov. Bruce Rauner wants to pull funds collected for energy efficiency into the state's general fund.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2015

Cape Wind president endorses coalition pushing new offshore wind policy

National Grid and Eversource, now out of Cape Wind PPAs, are eyeing new natural gas.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2015