Groups protest PG&E plan to move away from diesel, as utility forecasts $7.4B in fire investments

Clean energy groups and ratepayer advocates say the utility's plan to reduce the use of temporary diesel generation during public safety power shut-offs through existing demand response programs doesn't go far enough.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 2, 2021

As utilities risk missing carbon reduction targets, analysts stress need for organizational change

Sierra Club and the Smart Electric Power Alliance published separate analyses on the shortcomings of utilities in their net zero emissions pledges, finding a common solution in new organizational approaches.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 1, 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

'What in the world is happening with the weather': Western heat wave raises questions for grid planning

The heat wave showed that the region can face weather events outside of anything it has experienced in the past — "and a huge amount of utility planning is based on looking at our previous experience," one expert said. 

By Kavya Balaraman • July 1, 2021

Transmission developer files complaint with FERC against PJM's 'Catch-22' on merchant-owned transmission

Under PJM's market rules, merchant-developed transmission projects have to be evaluated in the generation interconnection queue, causing years of delay for the SOO Green HVDC Link.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 1, 2021

Oregon leaps past California and Washington as legislators pass bill to decarbonize power grid by 2040

Lawmakers passed a bill that could lead to the development of 2,765 MW of new renewables by 2030 by Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp, according to one analysis.   

By Kavya Balaraman • June 30, 2021

Biden administration, House Dems talk up need for interconnection reform

As extreme heat strains electricity grids, the Department of Energy calls for robust reform to boost reliability and clean energy development. 

By Jason Plautz • June 30, 2021

FERC's Glick names former ratepayer advocate to lead Office of Public Participation

Glick selected Elin Katz, former head of the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel, to run FERC’s new division, which aims to increase public involvement in the agency’s decision-making.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Oct. 13, 2021

Building a US clean manufacturing strategy to counter China and tackle climate change

The authors highlight four industries, including hydrogen production, that promise to become major export businesses as global markets for clean products grow.

By David Hart and Stefan Koester • June 29, 2021

South Carolina regulators OK a dramatically revamped Dominion IRP

The modified integrated resource plan calls for shuttering the company's coal-fired plants in the state within the decade while also relying more on renewable sources of power.

By Scott Van Voorhis • June 28, 2021

New York passes flurry of legislation in wake of frustrations over PSEG Long Island storm performance

Lawmakers in New York have passed a series of bills taking aim at PSEG Long Island over its performance during tropical storm Isaias, which left hundreds of thousands of the utility's customers without power for days last August.

By Scott Van Voorhis • June 25, 2021

California approves 11.5 GW of new clean resources in largest-ever single procurement order

"This is a landmark decision. I don’t think it's hyperbole to describe it as such," CPUC Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said at the Thursday meeting.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 25, 2021

House passes broad bipartisan measure to help states fund energy cybersecurity efforts

The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced eight bipartisan bills to the full House, aimed at bolstering national cybersecurity and protecting critical infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Updated July 22, 2021

CPUC ditches natural gas in 11.5 GW proposal but leaves door open for future fossil fuel procurement

Regulators want further analysis of the potential reliability impacts before asking for additional fossil fuel procurement, they said in a new version of the proposed decision. 

By Kavya Balaraman • June 24, 2021

'An unprecedented mess': DC Circuit rejects FERC approval of existing Spire gas pipeline

"FERC's ostrich-like approach flies in the face of the guidelines set forth in the Certificate Policy Statement" on natural gas pipelines, the court said.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 23, 2021

US grid needs overhaul to keep up with renewable revolution, says GE exec, Sen. Heinrich

The infrastructure package Congress is debating must include tens of billions of dollars to modernize the aging U.S. electric grid, a U.S. senator and industry experts said last week.

By Scott Van Voorhis • June 22, 2021

North Carolina legislature retools Duke-backed bill after Dems, governor protest weakened oversight

The legislation is a high priority for Duke Energy, one of few stakeholders allowed in closed-door negotiations on the initial text.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 22, 2021

Ending the snipe hunt for buyer-side power in PJM and other capacity markets

Going forward, FERC should be judicious when applying mitigation measures to state policies and should consider tools beyond the MOPR, the authors write.

By Burçin Ünel and Sarah Ladin • June 21, 2021

Critical infrastructure sites face greater cyberthreat amid remote connectivity: Moody's

The company warns that oil, electric and other critical infrastructure providers are increasingly attractive targets for ransomware.

By David Jones • June 21, 2021

Bipartisan $973B infrastructure proposal alarms EV advocates with annual surcharge on vehicles

A group of 10 Democratic and 11 Republican senators supports an annual surcharge on electric vehicles, but industry advocates warn it could dampen enthusiasm for the transition away from gasoline-powered cars and trucks.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2021

South Carolina regulators reject Duke's long-term power plant construction plans, call for changes

South Carolina utility regulators are calling upon Duke to rethink its long-term power plant construction plans and are urging the company to look more closely at solar, storage and other resources.

By Scott Van Voorhis • June 21, 2021

California groups clash over gas in 11.5 GW procurement proposal as CAISO calls for conservation

“We can’t overemphasize enough the need for procurement to be authorized and get underway,” a CAISO representative said.

By Kavya Balaraman • June 18, 2021

AEP seeks up to $317M for 3 West Virginia coal plant upgrades

American Electric Power is facing opposition from environmentalists on upgrades to a trio of coal-fired plants as the utility seeks to extend their lives until 2040.

By Scott Van Voorhis • June 18, 2021

Tri-State asks FERC to approve 'transparent and simpler' contract termination approach for members

The commission determined that Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association's tariff is unjust and unreasonable, based on the hurdles members face in considering whether to exit the G&T provider.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Sept. 3, 2021

FERC pauses ruling that would prevent states from blocking demand response under Order 2222

FERC also on Thursday established a joint federal-state task force on transmission development that will address planning and cost allocation issues.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 18, 2021

As US aims to boost clean energy supply chain, critical minerals gap largely human-caused, analysts say

There's no shortage of rare earth minerals needed to transition to a clean energy economy, experts say. The problem is getting them out of the ground — and out of China.

By Emma Penrod • June 17, 2021