US can reach 100% clean power by 2035, DOE finds, but tough reliability and land use questions lie ahead

New aggressive planning is needed to identify the long-duration storage technologies and find the land to grow enough resources to reach the Biden administration’s net zero emissions goals, a DOE national lab reports.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 15, 2022

State regulators urge PJM to adopt ‘circuit breaker’ to prevent extreme prices in emergencies

Electricity could cost as much as $17 billion a day in the PJM Interconnection under extreme conditions, according to the Organization of PJM States.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 15, 2022

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

Utilities seeing benefits from new customer engagement strategies

Utilities are realizing that the new customer welcome experience is an untapped opportunity to gather meaningful data, boost program participation and reduce call center volumes.

Nov. 14, 2022

Manchin withholds confirmation hearing for FERC Chairman Glick, throwing second term in doubt

A 2-2 split at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would make it harder to tackle challenging issues, according to Tony Clark, former FERC commissioner.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 11, 2022

The clock is ticking: Urgent steps New York must take to achieve its climate targets

New York needs to act now to improve climate resilience, electrify the transportation system, decarbonize the gas system, and identify equitable economy-wide solutions to cut carbon emissions.

By Mary Barber • Nov. 11, 2022

‘Needs more work’: Solar industry remains skeptical of California PUC’s new net energy metering proposal

One initial analysis suggests the proposal, if approved, would cut the average export rate in California from 30 cents per kilowatt to 8 cents per kilowatt effective April 2023. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 11, 2022

DOE touts nuclear-powered hydrogen production projects with Xcel, Constellation, 4 other partners

The clean hydrogen demonstration projects also involve Bloom Energy, Energy Harbor, Arizona Public Service and PNW Hydrogen and will take place at four nuclear plants around the country.

By Rod Kuckro • Nov. 10, 2022

Vistra’s coal-to-battery storage projects receive FERC waiver from MISO interconnection transfer rules

The agency should reconsider “nonsensical” limits on a generator’s ability to transfer interconnection rights, which are a roadblock for new generation at power plant sites, Commissioner Allison Clements said.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 10, 2022

Californians reject tax on millionaires intended to raise up to $4B a year for vehicle electrification

Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, criticized the ballot measure as an attempt by Lyft to get its drivers’ EVs subsidized.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • Nov. 9, 2022

With control of Congress unknown, clean energy advocates cheer state wins and press for climate action

So far, it appears Republicans failed to pull off an anticipated “red wave” and Democrats outperformed expectations, analysts say.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2022

Putin-focused and other hacks of charging stations drive new cybersecurity steps for an EV boom

A broad utility-to-charger attack surface will require smarter protection strategies and tools for cyber threats as transportation electrification and vehicle-to-grid integration expand, analysts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 8, 2022

Avangrid, Eversource call for more efficiency, DR to avoid New England outages amid potential fuel crunch

ISO New England’s upcoming capacity auctions should be delayed to better reflect the region’s wintertime needs, the grid operator’s market monitor said.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 8, 2022

Inflation Reduction Act adds fuel to RTO reform imperative, generator interconnection backlog

The new law also puts transmission planning and permitting on center stage while increasing the need for on-demand generation.

By Tony Clark • Nov. 8, 2022

Climate action ballot initiatives for Election Day 2022

Spending for transportation decarbonization, wildfire prevention, storm resilience and more are up for a vote in some states.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 7, 2022

As FERC’s transmission proposal sparks clashes, potential solutions emerge from MISO, elsewhere

Federal transmission planning reforms must decide who builds and where, who benefits and pays, who balances state and national interests, and who enforces the rules, stakeholders said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 7, 2022

FERC interconnection reform proposal poses a barrier to Colorado joining an RTO: PUC Chair Blank

“I'm really concerned that this [proposal] would undermine our transition, and the effective working of our resource planning and acquisition process,” Colorado PUC Chair Eric Blank said.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 7, 2022

The utility of now: How utilities can maximize IIJA and IRA benefits

IIJA and IRA presents utilities with a historic opportunity that should not be missed out on.

Nov. 7, 2022

IRA sets the stage for US energy storage to thrive

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) signed into law in August significantly improves the economics for large-scale battery storage projects in the U.S. For the first time, standalone storage systems will be eligible for a 30 percent investment tax credit (ITC) — and up to 70 percent with additional incentives.

Nov. 7, 2022

More than 90% of US coal-fired power plants are leaking toxic metals into groundwater, NGO report finds

The Environmental Integrity Project and Earthjustice report claims utilities are manipulating monitoring data to make coal ash sites appear cleaner, a claim one utility group calls a "gross mischaracterization."

By Stephen Singer • Nov. 3, 2022

Massachusetts OKs over $450M in grid modernization spending by Eversource, National Grid, Unitil

Eversource, National Grid and Unitil will expand technologies for grid monitoring, advanced communications and automation.

By Stephen Singer • Nov. 3, 2022

As Memphis Light, Gas and Water weighs an exit, is TVA headed for a renewable energy sea change?

TVA could soon be facing a widespread defection of other local power companies, opening the field to an increasingly renewable future for its customers, the author writes.

By Gaby Sarri-Tobar • Nov. 3, 2022

Connecticut regulators fine Avangrid’s gas, electric utilities $4.5M over COVID-19 payment program

Avangrid customers were subjected to wage garnishments and bill collection in violation of COVID-19 rules, according to the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

By Stephen Singer • Nov. 2, 2022

PJM capacity market flaws reduced latest auction revenue by $706M, or nearly 25%: market monitor

In a change from previous reports, the PJM Interconnection’s market monitor found the last auction was competitive, driven by a revised offer seller cap rule that is being challenged in court.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 1, 2022

Over AEP, Xcel objections, FERC OKs SPP transmission cost allocation process affecting wind-heavy areas

Commissioners James Danly and Mark Christie voted against the plan, citing a lack of broad state support.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 31, 2022

2 NEVI hurdles: Uptime and bottlenecks

The electric vehicle (EV) charging industry will need to overcome two challenges — one set by legislators and another inherent to the market.

Oct. 31, 2022