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

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

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

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

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

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

Electric utilities aren’t doing enough to address inequities in today’s power system, advocates say

How are companies, regulators, NGOs and others ensuring that the energy transition is equitable?

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2022

Bringing equity to electricity service through home, power sector and regulatory innovation

Individual homes can be upgraded, community solar can help to lower bills and regulators can broaden the public engagement process to be more inclusive, consumer advocates say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2022

Equity framework online tool to help guide investments in line with Justice40, UM researchers say

The framework is intended to help utilities, governments, regulators and community groups gauge equity in clean energy programs and investments.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 27, 2022

Clean energy supply bottlenecks hit overburdened communities the hardest, utilities and advocates say

The Inflation Reduction Act and an equity focus should help reverse the trend, however.

By Elizabeth McCarthy • Oct. 27, 2022

FirstEnergy subsidiary JCP&L and Shell-EDF tapped for New Jersey’s transmission-first offshore wind plan

The New Jersey Bureau of Public Utilities is preparing to follow up its novel $1.1 billion offshore wind transmission blueprint with another planning effort.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 27, 2022

The energy system is ‘inherently racist,’ advocates say. How are utilities responding to calls for greater equity?

Utility commitments to customer equity, energy affordability and equitable access to clean energy resources are becoming more common, but energy justice advocates say companies need to do more. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2022

Sunnova urges California PUC to dismiss PG&E, SCE ‘sky is falling’ concerns, review microgrid proposal

“This is a real opportunity to examine what's going to be a fairly prevalent use case,” said Robert Perry, a consultant for World Business Academy, one of 16 organizations supporting a commission review of the plan.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 25, 2022

Clean energy expertise for the PJM board should be the easiest vote members ever cast

At a time when some 95% of the energy projects waiting to connect to the PJM grid are solar, wind, hybrid or battery storage, how could the grid’s board of directors not include someone with expertise in these energy sources? 

By Albert Pollard • Oct. 24, 2022

PJM capacity proposal: fuel for the ongoing market ‘crisis,’ or a needed step to limit overprocurement?

Power plant owners pressed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject the largest U.S. grid operator’s proposed capacity market rule changes while environmental and ratepayer advocates supported them.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 24, 2022

Chemical compliance in New York

Utilities across the country face a wide range of requirements and restrictions. But Con Edison makes chemical compliance work with software and training — and so can you.

Oct. 24, 2022

FERC deems Evergy, Bluescape investment firm to be affiliated in market oversight ruling

The ruling will help ensure the integrity of power markets and protect utility customers, Public Citizen’s Tyson Slocum said. The group wants the agency to make the same finding for FirstEnergy, Blackstone and Icahn Enterprises, he said.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 21, 2022

How two Minnesota cooperatives agreed to a new relationship to prepare for the future grid

An agreement last month between Great River Energy and Connexus is a novel way for generation and transmission cooperatives and local co-ops to develop new relationships during the energy transition.

By Gabriel Chan and Matthew Grimley • Oct. 21, 2022

Xcel, First Solar, other clean energy companies warn building standard change threatens wind, solar projects

“The stated goal of FEMA’s proposal is increased grid reliability, but when you needlessly make it harder to build resilient clean energy, the obvious effect is a reduction in reliability,” the Solar Energy Industries Association CEO said.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 19, 2022