Most Read Utility News of the Week: iPhone apps, big utilities and new lines

Utility Dive readers looked at these five news posts more than any others over the last week. Find out what you might have missed!

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 23, 2012

Regulators in Md. wrap public hearings on June storm responses

Hearings with utilities will follow in mid-September.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 23, 2012

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

Oregon utility under fire for trying to increase rates to fund pollution-control upgrades

Ratepayer advocates and environmentalists say Oregon customers shouldn’t have to pay for PacifiCorp’s upgrades at two Wyoming coal plants.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 23, 2012

The 10 biggest U.S. electric utilities visualized

Two of the three largest electric utilities right now gained their status after recent mergers.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 22, 2012

Big Rivers puts pollution-control plan aside after court kills EPA rule

The co-ops will proceed with some control plans, but will cancel plans that were primarily in place to be in compliance with the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 22, 2012

Utilities defend Michigan law and rates, say green projects made possible

Consumers Energy and DTE Energy argue that greener tech for the long-term is being made possible by a 2008 law limiting competition in Michigan's electricity market.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 22, 2012

NRECA asks FCC to eliminate smart meter fees

The NRECA told federal regulators that electric cooperatives shouldn’t be forced to pay a federal fee on smart meters and smart grid technologies.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 22, 2012

West Virginia utilities take $172M hit from June storms

The storms left 680,000 customers without power and caused utilities to have to replace more than 300 miles of wire.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 21, 2012

PG&E rate increases under scrutiny

A local assemblyman is pressuring the California Public Utilities Commission to reject PG&E’s proposed rate increase.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 21, 2012

China protests U.S. support for clean energy programs

China complains that U.S. investment in domestic renewable energy programs violates World Trade Organization rules. 

By Shehryar Nabi • Aug. 20, 2012

Rate hearing begins for Florida utility

Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) is at the beginning of a lengthy hearing regarding a request to raise its rates.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 20, 2012

Educating the electorate on energy issues

What needs to be done to properly inform voters on energy issues? 

By Shehryar Nabi • Aug. 17, 2012

President Obama targets wind energy as a part of his campaign strategy

During a Wind Week visit to Iowa, President Barack Obama discusses wind power as it becomes an emerging political issue.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 17, 2012

Florida consumer advocate rejects FPL’s rate case settlement offer

Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) last-minute offer to settle its rate increase request was rejected by the state’s top consumer advocate.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 17, 2012

NRC will meet with Duke to discuss alleged violations

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will meet with Duke Energy officials to talk about two safety violations.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 17, 2012

Most Read Utility News of the Week: SGIG funding, co-ops and smart meters

Utility Dive's top news posts from the past week addressed funding for electric cooperatives and smart grid projects, as well as a noteworthy fire.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 16, 2012

The 10 biggest smart grid projects receiving SGIG funding

Utility Dive continues its analysis of the U.S. Department of Energy's Smart Grid Investment Grant Program progress report—this time looking at funded projects with the biggest total costs.

By Shehryar Nabi • Aug. 16, 2012

Duke Energy attracted the 2012 Democratic convention, as well as critics

CEO James Rogers has reduced his role as a public face for the event, but Duke has benefited significantly from the administration's policies.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 15, 2012

Court won’t force utilities in Arkansas and Mississippi to pay exit pacts

A federal appeals court rejects an effort by Louisiana utility regulators to make Entergy Corp. subsidiaries in Arkansas and Mississippi pay for prematurely ending agreements.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 15, 2012

DOE wants immediate cybersecurity governance

The Department of Energy (DOE) doesn’t think utilities are doing enough to shore up the vulnerability of the nation’s infrastructure.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 15, 2012

Massachusetts smart grid program gets approved

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities has approved a smart grid pilot program designed by National Grid.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 15, 2012

Arkansas regulators want assurances from Entergy about regional pact

Entergy wants to join the transmission group MISO, but Arkansas regulators have concerns.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 14, 2012

Duke CEO Rogers committed to a settlement in Florida

Duke CEO Jim Rogers spoke to Florida regulators Monday on a variety of topics facing the embattled company.

By Christopher Sacco • Aug. 14, 2012

Duke's Rogers meeting with Florida regulators Monday

Florida officials are interested in how Duke's recent merger will affect Progress Energy customers.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 13, 2012

USDA issuing loan guarantees for rural smart grid projects

Utilities will receive loan guarantees contingent upon meeting specific terms.

By Brian Warmoth • Aug. 10, 2012