Dynegy to pay $38M to settle charges it manipulated MISO’s capacity market

The case shows how easy it is for companies to manipulate regional transmission organization capacity auctions and underscores the need for stronger safeguards, said a consumer watchdog.

By Ethan Howland • July 31, 2025

5 utility commissions ask FERC to undo MISO’s $22B multi-value transmission portfolio

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator overstated the benefits of transmission projects approved in December, according to a complaint at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Ethan Howland • July 31, 2025

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

PPL utilities reach agreement on adding 1.3 GW of gas-fired power, mainly for data centers

The agreement also pushes out the retirement date of a 297-MW coal-fired unit and withdraws an earlier proposal to build a four-hour, 400-MW battery electric storage system at another gas plant. 

By Ethan Howland • July 31, 2025

EPA aims to revoke ‘endangerment finding’ underpinning power, auto sector climate regs

The effort to end greenhouse gas-related rules that address climate change will likely face "significant legal pushback,” according to research firm Capstone.

By Ethan Howland • July 30, 2025

Want abundant energy? Ask who benefits from scarcity.

Achieving energy abundance requires reforming electricity markets, refreshing electric utility regulation and rethinking the way we pay for grid infrastructure.

By Arjun Krishnaswami • July 30, 2025

DOE allows Talen to run oil-fired unit above limits to avoid outages amid heat wave

The unit is one of several owned by Talen Energy that were slated to retire in May of this year, before the company reached a “reliability-must-run” agreement to delay their shuttering to 2029. 

By Ethan Howland • July 29, 2025

Trump’s AI action plan calls for dispatchable resources and grid upgrades

The plan is in line with previous actions by the Trump administration to delay the shuttering of coal plants, but it also acknowledges the need for enhanced efficiency and transmission.   

By Meris Lutz • July 28, 2025

Coal- and gas-fired power plants have a new best friend: data centers

The data center boom is here to stay, but so is climate change. Load growth is not an excuse to reverse progress and renew dependence on fossil fuel energy.

By Abbe Ramanan • July 25, 2025

NRC approvals move Palisades nuclear plant closer to restart

The Palisades plant is now authorized to receive new fuel and formally transition licensed reactor operators to on-shift status, Holtec International said in a statement.

By Robert Walton • July 25, 2025

FERC orders changes to PJM’s grid interconnection process, plus 3 other open meeting takeaways

Required changes include cost allocation for network upgrades, consideration of grid-enhancing technologies and energy storage modeling.

By Ethan Howland • July 25, 2025

US electricity demand to grow 2.5% annually through 2035: BofA Institute

Building electrification, data centers, industrial growth and electric vehicles are among the factors contributing to growth, according to the prediction.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2025

FERC approves $16.4B Constellation-Calpine deal

As part of the deal, Constellation Energy agreed to sell four power plants in the PJM Interconnection to reduce its ability to exert market power.

By Ethan Howland • July 24, 2025

Energy Department’s flawed grid study props up expensive, zombie power plants

The most effective way to maintain grid reliability is to let planners plan, markets work and utilities build the resources they’ve already identified as the most affordable path forward.

By Matthias Fripp and Brendan Pierpont • July 24, 2025

The IRA rollback is a disaster for energy. Industry leaders must move fast.

Project changes will require meticulous due diligence involving legal and finance teams. Those who can show robust tracking and tracing protocols may be among the biggest winners.

By Anna Shpitsberg • July 23, 2025

FERC approves MISO, SPP fast-track interconnection reviews

Gas-fired power plants will likely make up most of the projects selected for the expedited reviews, according to ClearView Energy Partners.

By Ethan Howland • Updated July 24, 2025

PJM capacity prices set another record with 22% jump

The Trump administration will likely seize on the auction results to justify keeping thermal power plants, namely coal, in PJM from retiring, according to analysts with Capstone.

By Ethan Howland • July 23, 2025

PJM leadership openings are an opportunity to chart a new course

Rather than addressing the root causes of its problems, the organization blames states for supply and infrastructure shortages, often defending the very policies that are driving up customer costs.

By David Lapp • July 22, 2025

Why the nuclear energy renaissance is real — and necessary

The technologies, economics and motivations driving the modern nuclear revival differ fundamentally from what came before.

By Erik Funkhouser • July 21, 2025

FERC rejects MISO petition to limit market monitor’s transmission planning oversight

The dispute grew out of Potomac Economics’ criticism of assumptions the Midcontinent Independent System Operator used to justify a roughly $22 billion transmission expansion plan.

By Ethan Howland • July 21, 2025

Governing AI in utilities: Insights from West Monroe’s AI summit

AI's rapid growth brings opportunities and risks, requiring proactive, structured adaptation.

By Maria Quimpo, Director, Utilities, West Monroe and Betsy Soehren Jones, Partner, Utilities, West Monroe • July 21, 2025

Southern Co. taps SwissDrones for unmanned helicopter monitoring

A recent executive order from President Donald Trump may allow other utilities to follow suit in using unmanned aircraft for grid inspections.

By Diana DiGangi • July 18, 2025

Trump wants to use AI to prevent wildfires. Utilities are trying. Will it work?

The president wants to remake wildfire policy with an increased emphasis on technology and a new, consolidated federal wildland fire service. Experts have mixed reactions.

By Emma Penrod • Updated July 23, 2025

Governors seek more influence over PJM amid ‘crisis of confidence’

Nine governors representing the majority of electric customers in the grid operator’s footprint said they want a say in filling two vacant board seats. 

By Ethan Howland • Updated July 18, 2025

Trump taps Project 2025 contributor to fill vacant FERC seat

David LaCerte works at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. He served during Trump’s first term and helped on Project 2025, the conservative road map to “deconstruct the Administrative State.”

By Ethan Howland • July 17, 2025

Law judge calls for Minnesota PUC to reject $6.2B Allete private equity deal

The proposed private equity model isn’t in the public interest, an administrative law judge said.

By Ethan Howland • July 16, 2025