California PUC’s delay of microgrids program harms disadvantaged communities

This delay in community microgrid development means more vulnerability to heat waves, wildfires, power shutoffs and pollution, especially in frontline communities.

By Stephanie Doyle and Shina Robinson • Jan. 18, 2023

Georgia Power delays Vogtle 3 start after discovering vibrations in plant’s cooling system

Georgia Power now expects Unit 3 will be placed in service in April.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 13, 2023

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

2023 Outlook: US power sector trends to watch

Federal, state and corporate actions are boosting clean energy in the U.S., but supply chain and economic challenges persist while grid reliability and security concerns are growing.

By The Utility Dive Team • Jan. 13, 2023

FERC approves Transco gas pipeline expansion despite New Jersey BPU study finding no need

A stay the agency put on its decision could delay the project that is expected to supply parts of the East Coast.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 13, 2023

New York Gov. Hochul outlines climate, energy priorities with cap-and-invest program

The governor’s program is expected to help New York reach the requirements of a 2019 state law, cutting greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 and at least 85% by 2050, both below 1990 levels.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 12, 2023

FERC approves Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric membership in Southeast Energy Exchange Market

Opponents of SEEM continue to argue that the market violates federal regulations, but a FERC majority said that question was not at issue in this membership approval.

By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 10, 2023

President Biden, creating a resilience corps will maximize our investments in climate and clean energy

We must leverage effective strategies to engage the next, more diverse, generation and put them on pathways to good-paying jobs in our rapidly growing clean energy and resilience sectors.

By Emily Andrews, Kristen Bennett, Kevin J. Coyle, Trevor Dolan, Kaira Esgate, Karishma Merchant and Mary Ellen Sprenkel • Jan. 10, 2023

Holtec International seeks $7.4 billion federal loan for small modular reactor build-out

Holtec sees a “renaissance of nuclear power in the U.S.” and a rise in small modular reactors, but critics are skeptical about costs and construction schedules. 

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 10, 2023

White House guidance on GHG analysis will ease renewable energy permitting, trade groups say

The interim guidance comes as the infrastructure law and Inflation Reduction Act are expected to spur clean energy development, which can be slowed by permitting requirements.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 9, 2023

Solving the other half of the climate equation: Removing carbon

Net zero is not just a number; it is an equation. On one side is cutting emissions; on the other is removing carbon altogether.

By Emma Gibbs, Mark Patel and Giulia Siccardo • Jan. 9, 2023

Avangrid-PNM merger could get 2nd review by New Mexico’s restructured Public Regulation Commission

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who supports the utility merger, in December announced the appointment of three new members to the Public Regulation Commission. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2023

EPA proposes tightening fine particulate matter standard, potentially affecting coal power plants

The agency aims to issue final standards in August, but direct effects would be years away.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 6, 2023

Clean energy tax credit transferability: Hero of the Inflation Reduction Act?

Now that transferability exists for federal tax credits, financiers can unlock the tax equity portion of the capital stack to further fuel early-stage project development.

By Eric Rubinstein • Jan. 5, 2023

Connecticut, Massachusetts regulators call on Eversource to defend sharply higher rate

Political pressure is mounting over the spike in electricity prices, with a Connecticut state senator calling rate increases “unacceptable and cruel.”

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 4, 2023

White House selects FERC Commissioner Phillips as acting chairman

Phillips may be cautious in setting broad policy objectives in the near term while serving in an acting capacity, ClearView Energy Partners, a research firm, said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 4, 2023

Nuclear power saw multiple gains in 2022, but economic and other questions remain

The first new commercial nuclear plant in the U.S. in more than 30 years moved closer to operation while the sector is receiving a boost from the Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure law.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 3, 2023

Federal cybersecurity focus grows as distributed resources expand grid risks

The utility sector is aware of new malware targeting industrial control systems and the growing attack surface provided by a distributed grid.

By Robert Walton , Larry Pearl • Jan. 3, 2023

New York’s plan to expand storage capacity to 6 GW by 2030 includes centralized procurement method

New York’s storage plan includes index storage credits that are similar to the state’s renewable energy credit structure used for procurement of Tier 1 renewable resources, analysts say.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 3, 2023

Energy Dept. to invest up to $72M to expand clean energy workforce efforts

The government will create new industrial assessment centers, which train future engineers and help small manufacturers reduce their energy use.

By Sara Samora • Dec. 22, 2022

PJM seeks mid-auction capacity market rule change to address anomaly that led to ‘unjust’ price

Some generators warned that changing market rules in the middle of an auction sets a bad precedent.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 22, 2022

All I want for Christmas is my PTCs

We have made a choice as a country that our federal energy policy will be brought to you through the Internal Revenue Code as opposed to through other means.

By Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • Dec. 21, 2022

Virginia joint commission hears new details on Youngkin’s planned exit from regional emissions trading group

A state official told legislators that Gov. Glenn Youngkin plans to make up for income lost in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative exit by adding $200 million in tax dollars in to a state revolving fund.

By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 20, 2022

New York state climate panel outlines ambitious road map to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The plan is a “bold, monumental achievement,” New York’s environmental commissioner said, but the head of an industry group said it fails to adequately address reliability.

By Stephen Singer • Dec. 20, 2022

Entergy: Grand Gulf nuclear plant’s viability threatened by FERC move to advance state, city complaint

Entergy may need to give customers refunds related to the Grand Gulf’s capacity expansion and its alleged poor operating performance under a complaint by utility regulators from Arkansas, Louisiana and New Orleans.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 20, 2022

Fixing customer experience in EV charging

Electric vehicle (EV) ownership is on the rise in the U.S., but consumer surveys suggest that the EV charging experience needs to improve to assuage the lingering concerns of buyers.

Dec. 19, 2022