Global rule maker created for ESG disclosure standards

CFOs aiming to adopt sustainability disclosure standards must currently choose from more than a dozen inconsistent, competing frameworks. 

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 4, 2021

FERC's Christie calls for fixing interconnection 'chaos' as first step in transmission reform

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could tackle sweeping transmission changes in pieces, according to an agency official.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 4, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Build Back Better, FERC actions on infrastructure could trigger 'monumental' renewable energy deployments

Panelists at the American Council on Renewable Energy's forum said policies currently under review by Congress and FERC could lead to meaningful transmission reform.

By Emma Penrod • Nov. 4, 2021

Stopping the utility profit grab and saving rooftop solar in California

We can dispense with the utility campaign's "cost shift" myth. It's based on bad math that does not account for the grid-stabilizing investment solar consumers make in their own systems and other factors, the author writes.

By Dave Rosenfeld • Nov. 4, 2021

The need to expand organized power markets in the West

The extension of the SPP RTO to the West and development of Western RTOs in general will provide better coordination and efficiencies to help meet our current and future clean energy goals, Tri-State CEO Duane Highley writes.

By Duane Highley • Nov. 3, 2021

Unlocking the Transition: As Tesla, Ford and others invest billions in EVs, will the power system be ready?

The new White House zero emission vehicle target of 50% of new car sales by 2030 has a long way to go, a short time to get there, and big challenges along the way.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2021

Does your state's electricity system get an "F" in competitiveness?

While many states have made significant moves towards greater choice and competition, others have chosen to bolster an antiquated monopoly system and are as opaque in their decision-making as ever, the author writes.

By Landon Stevens • Nov. 2, 2021

EPA ability to regulate power sector GHG emissions at risk as Supreme Court takes case, analysts say

The court decided Friday to review a lower court rejection of a Trump era rule in a move that analysts say does not bode well for EPA's authority over the power sector.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 2, 2021

COP26: Biden apologizes for US climate inaction, issues long-term plan for reaching net zero emissions

The plan asks the electric sector to eliminate emissions by 2035 through transmission upgrades, energy efficiency, storage and non-emitting generation, along with several other strategies.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2021

'A big win for customers': Stakeholders praise South Carolina Supreme Court ruling on Duke coal ash costs

Duke had sought to raise rates in South Carolina to pay for coal ash remediation required by North Carolina. 

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 1, 2021

Vistra sues FERC over decision setting offer caps for PJM capacity market

With PJM's next capacity auction set for January, Vistra intends to ask the appeals court to review the case on a fast-track process.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Nov. 5, 2021

House passes Build Back Better, tees up Senate vote on funding for climate, clean energy and electric vehicles

The bill's passage comes days after President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that also boosts spending on shifting the U.S. away from fossil fuels.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Nov. 19, 2021

Reconciled to reconciliation: Can the spending bill still jumpstart climate action?

Going forward, the U.S. government needs to craft new climate policies that are specifically geared to fostering private sector investment, the author writes. 

By Bob Hinkle • Oct. 29, 2021

States, public need bigger role in transmission development, FERC's Glick says

The lead regulator outlined his hopes for transmission reform needed to meet clean energy and grid reliability goals ahead of a key FERC-state task force meeting.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 28, 2021

APS vows legal action after Arizona regulators deny cost recovery for $215.5M coal plant upgrades

Regulators approved the utility’s first rate decrease since 1996, while voting against full cost recovery for APS' investment in upgrades to a coal plant being closed earlier than initially planned.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Updated Nov. 3, 2021

Hydropower's absence in the reconciliation bill is a major gap in U.S. clean energy strategy

Hydro helps integrate wind and solar, so why isn't it supported in the reconciliation bill?

By Alicia Barton • Oct. 28, 2021

New York rejects proposed NRG, Danskammer Energy gas plants, citing 2019 climate law

Environmental groups called the decision "precedent-setting" while industry stakeholders said rejecting nearly 1 GW of new resources was shortsighted and bad public policy.

By Larry Pearl • Oct. 28, 2021

PJM, market monitor urge FERC to reject SOO Green proposal, saying it will upend the capacity market

Letting SOO Green's transmission line skirt PJM's rules would hurt reliability and lower capacity prices, the grid operator and Monitoring Analytics said.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 27, 2021

As politicians battle, we need scientific credibility and objectivity to reach net zero emissions

If countries are to achieve economywide net-zero emissions by 2050, it will mean significantly accelerating clean energy efforts, the CEO of the Electric Power Research Institute writes.

By Arshad Mansoor • Oct. 27, 2021

California groups divided on inclusion of gas in 11.5 GW 'clean' procurement order

"It's another day and another month, and the Commission is still asking the same tired questions about procuring more gas..." clean energy groups said in a filing with the California Public Utilities Commission. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 25, 2021

How New England could demonstrate what a 'clean energy RTO' looks like

In showing how RTO markets can support the achievement of state policy goals and be the catalyst for a clean energy region, ISO New England has three big things going for it, the author writes.

By Caitlin Marquis • Oct. 25, 2021

FERC rejects utilities' request to open TVA to competition

But FERC Chairman Glick urged Congress to eliminate the Tennessee Valley Authority's protective fence transmission borders so the utility doesn't have carte blanche to "gold plate" its system.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 22, 2021

Now is the time for regulatory sandboxes in energy and utilities

Recent test beds in Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore and United Kingdom provide inspiration for models to stimulate innovation in the United States.

By Brien J. Sheahan • Oct. 22, 2021

NextEra doubles down on green hydrogen, other renewables

The company said Wednesday it has added more than 5,700 megawatts over the first nine months of 2021 to its backlog of renewable energy and storage projects.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Oct. 21, 2021

Meeting state offshore wind, renewable goals requires up to $3.2B in transmission, PJM says

A report on future transmission needs marks a change in how the largest U.S. grid operator considers state renewable energy goals, but more work needs to be done, observers say.

By Ethan Howland • Oct. 21, 2021