Top Utility Trends of 2020

Amid significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the power sector's transition to a cleaner, more distributed future continues.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 5, 2021

Want to know how to pick an energy market? Watch the Mountain West power providers

Xcel Colorado just joined California’s imbalance market, SPP will offer imbalance services, and researchers have proposed a Colorado-centric system. But what do power providers want?

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 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

FERC approves tariff for Southwest Power Pool's Western imbalance market

Regulators concluded the new market, which plans to launch in February, will "yield diverse benefits to the participating utilities and customers" in the regional interconnection.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2021

The search for the next net metering policy takes center stage in California

California’s utilities and solar advocates agree a forward-looking successor tariff must use the state’s nation-leading rooftop solar penetration to address its increasingly dynamic system needs with storage.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 23, 2020

Northeast states, DC sign MOU to reduce transportation emissions

Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington, DC, are the first jurisdictions to implement the Transportation and Climate Initiative's cap-and-invest program.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 23, 2020

DOE plan to fast track storage technologies aims to slash prices to $0.05/kWh for stationary storage

The agency is aiming to cut the cost of 300-mile range EV battery packs to $80/kWh by 2030.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 22, 2020

Federal stimulus includes wind, solar tax credit extensions, adds first US offshore wind tax credit

The legislative package will also reduce the costs of short-term, long-term, seasonal, and transportation energy storage technologies through a $1.08 billion investment over five years.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 22, 2020

Industry, ratepayer advocates push for cautious approach to California's summer 2021 reliability preparation

A big concern is that the CPUC proceeding has jumped ahead to figuring out procurement for summer 2021 without better understanding the need, if any, for these resources, Mark Specht, energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 22, 2020

Energy executives call for dramatic increase in federal funds for hydrogen, carbon capture research

To achieve decarbonization, the American Energy Innovation Council said the energy sector requires financial and government support of emerging technologies.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 21, 2020

FERC chief Danly's bid to investigate CAISO over August blackouts rejected by Glick, Chatterjee

FERC Chair James Danly proposed issuing a section 206 proceeding to determine whether the market needs modification ahead of next summer.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 18, 2020

FERC's Clements: 'Grave threat' of climate change will 'underlie my approach as a commissioner'

Regulators are obligated to ensure just and reasonable rates and avoid unfair discrimination, but the factors that influence those decisions "have become significantly more numerous and complex" over the past few decades, she said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 18, 2020

Biden taps North Carolina DEQ Secretary Regan for EPA

Under Regan's watch at the DEQ, Duke Energy agreed to the largest coal ash cleanup in U.S. history.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 18, 2020

APS's plan for closing coal plants could be a gamechanger, analysts say, but who will pay?

The company's current rate case includes $144.45 million for communities impacted by its proposed coal closures, the biggest-ever such U.S. utility commitment, but customers would pay over 80% of the plan.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 18, 2020

Fed joins global climate-focused network of central banks

Fed membership in the Network for Greening the Financial System was one of 53 actions a CFTC panel suggested this year to manage climate-related risk and signals the central bank is taking the fight more seriously.

By Dan Ennis • Dec. 17, 2020

Pacific Northwest poised to test 100% renewables as utilities weigh gas vs. storage

The Northwest has perhaps the best starting point of any region in the country to go to 100% renewable energy, but a delicate balance between the costs of storage and the costs of natural gas may determine the feasibility of that goal.

By Matthew Bandyk • Dec. 17, 2020

What Pete Buttigieg would bring to the Transportation Department

A $1 trillion infrastructure plan, including billions in funding for EV charging, that Buttigieg unveiled in January as part of his presidential campaign hints at what could be the agency's future priorities.

By S.L. Fuller • Dec. 16, 2020

Clean energy groups cheer reports Biden will tap former Michigan Gov. Granholm to lead DOE

Granholm is known for staunchly supporting the automotive industry — which observers say could be an asset as the new administration attempts to boost the adoption of electric vehicles.

By Robert Walton • Updated Dec. 18, 2020

What a corporate tax rate increase could mean for utility ratemaking

Utility executives and regulators need to use this time of uncertainty to evaluate the impact of potential tax rate changes, especially considering COVID-19 financial pressures, disconnect moratoriums, and collectibility risks, the authors write. 

By Kimberly Johnston and Michael J. Reno • Dec. 16, 2020

Virginia draws criticism for approving new natural gas power plant near predominantly Black community

The plant at Norfolk Naval Shipyard would provide critical reliability and steam, replacing waste-burning generation, the Navy says. But community critics say it will harm a community already disproportionately subjected to pollution.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 15, 2020

Boston Mayor Walsh shares a vision of national climate action

Marty Walsh spoke with Smart Cities Dive about balancing his new role as Climate Mayors chair while addressing climate mitigation needs in Boston.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 15, 2020

Duke won't foot its up to $9B coal ash cleanup bill, but shareholders could still absorb half, court rules

The court found the commission erred in its rejection of an "equitable sharing" proposal that would split the cost of cleanup between ratepayers and shareholders — and not allow the utility to profit from it.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 15, 2020

California ratepayer advocate recommends $124M SoCalGas fine for bucking CPUC directive on energy efficiency lobbying

According to the group, Southern California Gas violated a 2018 decision from regulators that barred the utility from advocating for building codes and appliance standards.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 15, 2020

Duke, Dominion, Southern file SEEM proposal with state regulators, plan to file with FERC by end of year

The energy exchange proposal comes in the midst of proposals in North and South Carolina to open up the region to more competition.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 11, 2020

Newsom taps CPUC's Liane Randolph to lead California Air Resources Board

Randolph's experience with the CPUC's integrated resource planning process will be a benefit in her new role, stakeholders say. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 11, 2020

Maryland, Illinois may pursue legislative MOPR exit, despite new FERC nearing

"We wish that a new FERC could just simply wave its wand and get rid of the MOPR," said Illinois' consumer advocate. But "we can't wait for a new FERC to solve the mess that the previous FERC created."

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 11, 2020