Arizona showdown: Lawmakers face regulators in fight over zero-emissions mandate

Conservatives say the Arizona Corporation Commission's proposed zero-carbon mandate oversteps its constitutional authority while defenders say the legal debate is an excuse to impede the state's climate fight.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2021

Cleaning up the power grid requires a federal-state partnership

The federal government can take several actions that would enable and empower states to reach their 100% clean energy goals, the authors write.

By Bentham Paulos and Warren Leon • Feb. 8, 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

Manchin: Biden administration has started off on wrong foot, risks bipartisan progress on climate

By failing to seek common ground, the Biden administration risks destroying what was growing bipartisan support for action on climate, the West Virginia senator says.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 5, 2021

Senate confirms former North Carolina regulator Regan as head of EPA

Michael Regan had pledged to take a "clean slate" approach when determining how to take on the Clean Power Plan versus the Affordable Clean Energy Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 11, 2021

Buttigieg confirmation boosts hope for massive infrastructure investment

Several officials said the former mayor's experience in local government will serve him well, and have called on him to embrace innovations like autonomous and electric vehicles.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 3, 2021

SEC appoints policy advisor to advance new initiatives on ESG

The appointment of an ESG advisor by the acting SEC chair follows commitments by President Biden to redouble efforts to combat climate change.

By Jim Tyson • Feb. 3, 2021

Collaboration, not confrontation: Setting the stage for success between FERC and the states

Concrete, achievable wins are within grasp, but only if FERC learns the lessons of the past, writes former Commissioner Tony Clark.

Feb. 2, 2021

Nuclear has another friend in Biden, but changes at the NRC could mean more scrutiny ahead

The president has voiced strong support for nuclear, but as a new NRC chair begins his tenure, the sector could face stricter regulations.

By Matthew Bandyk • Feb. 1, 2021

Groups fear California blackout prevention plan could increase gas use, threaten climate goals

Regulators proposed three kinds of resources utilities could consider for additional capacity: energy storage, generation at risk of retirement, and efficiency upgrades as well as revised PPAs at current plants.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 1, 2021

'No compelling reason not to': Former FERC chairs, commissioners call for federal transmission overhaul

Nine former commissioners and chairs agree that now is the time for federal regulators to tackle interregional grid planning, following the release of a report.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 28, 2021

CCAs accelerate California's clean energy transition, providing a model for other states: report

Between 2011 and 2019, CCAs in California purchased 23.5 million MWh of renewable energy, more than twice what they were required to.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 28, 2021

Biden order aims to double offshore wind, boost transmission, end fossil fuel subsidies

In total, the president signed three executive orders, all aimed at placing the climate crisis at the center of his administration and moving the U.S. toward 100% clean electricity by 2035.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 28, 2021

Want a more distributed and lower cost power system? Try this new planning tool

Vibrant Clean Energy offers system modeling to match today's granularity and breaks the barrier between bulk system and distribution system planning.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2021

Senate confirms Granholm to lead DOE

Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm's approval to lead the Department of Energy comes about a month after a Senate confirmation hearing that highlighted fears not all Americans will prosper in the clean energy economy.

By Robert Walton • Updated Feb. 26, 2021

Organized regional power markets: A rich source of benefits

The case is compelling for expanding the reach of organized regional markets, and exploring expansion has bipartisan support in Congress, former FERC Commissioner William Massey writes.

By William Massey • Jan. 28, 2021

California regulators express 'deep concern' over SCE 2020 power shutoff practices

Concerns include a lack of transparency around the utility's decision-making processes and coordination with state and local government entities.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 27, 2021

Chatterjee calls on Congress to update federal energy policy to alleviate burden on FERC

"Legislative intransigence in Washington has put more and more of the critical decision making in the hands of agencies...that may not necessarily have the tools to address the complex challenges before us," the commissioner said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 27, 2021

SCE settles 2018 wildfire insurance claims for $2.2B, faces potential fines over energy efficiency program

The utility has now resolved all subrogation claims related to the 2017 and 2018 fires and mudslides, according to Edison International's CEO.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 26, 2021

National Grid petitions NY PSC to approve small battery project's dispatch, wholesale market roles

If approved, the small system will let the company learn how much larger battery projects will cope with the New York Independent System Operator's requirements for both processes.

By Leslie Nemo • Jan. 26, 2021

Duke coal ash clean up settlement shifts $1.1B in costs away from North Carolina ratepayers

The proposed settlement details how the utility will allocate the costs of its coal ash removal, allowing it to earn a return on equity from the cleanup, though at a lower rate than it had originally proposed.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 26, 2021

America's investor-owned utilities: We can achieve a 100% clean energy future

With the right policies and the right technologies, a 100% clean energy future can be more than a goal. It can be a reality, Edison Electric Institute President Tom Kuhn writes.

By Tom Kuhn • Jan. 26, 2021

Duke stranded gas assets could cost customers $4.8B, report finds

The utility's long-term resource plans in the Carolinas could add up to 9.6 GW of new gas resources by 2050, but a "substantial" amount will need to come offline to meet its zero-emissions goals, the report found.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 26, 2021

Minnesota governor accelerates state's carbon-free power target 10 years, to 2040

The state's largest investor-owned utilities — Xcel Energy and Minnesota Power — are pursuing 100% carbon-free energy by 2050, and expressed some concern about the governor's accelerated timeline.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 25, 2021

Hydrogen advocates look to capitalize on California's goal to replace diesel for back-up generation

Hydrogen's ability to provide long periods of storage capability could make it an effective option for displacing the current practice of setting up large diesel generators, stakeholders told a California Energy Commission workshop.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 25, 2021

PJM, utilities 'messing with' state sovereignty is 'biggest threat' to climate goals: Maryland commissioner

State lawmakers say that while leaving the capacity market appears less likely with the new administration, his comments reflect a broader power struggle between the state and its grid operator.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 22, 2021