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

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

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

FERC needs to know that 'investor confidence' matters

An economy-wide carbon price, paired with truly competitive power markets, is the right way to deliver the necessary combination of cost-effective electric reliability and decarbonization, a Calpine executive writes.

By Steven Schleimer • Jan. 22, 2021

Honolulu's resilience officer outlines path to carbon neutrality

Chief Resilience Officer Matthew Gonser discussed Honolulu's first Climate Action Plan and the creative way local leaders tackled tough climate conversations with local residents. 

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 22, 2021

Interior Department agencies move to streamline offshore wind permitting

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement work to clarify responsibilities for offshore worker health and safety.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 21, 2021

Glick named FERC chair, promises 'significant progress' on energy transition

Glick has said publicly he would prioritize transmission reform, reassess capacity markets and continue efforts to lower barriers to clean energy resources in regulated markets.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 21, 2021

Biden moves to rejoin Paris climate accord on first day in office, signs order to quickly review Trump regulatory actions

Stakeholders say Biden's day one actions signify that energy and the environment will be a top priority for his team.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 21, 2021

CPUC safety certification eases PG&E access to wildfire insurance fund, prompting backlash

Environmental and ratepayer advocacy groups are concerned by problems uncovered in field inspections, as well as PG&E's potential role in sparking the 2020 Zogg Fire.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 20, 2021

With FERC Order 2222 compliance deadline 6 months away, many questions loom, analysts find

What DER aggregates will look like, how the new parties will interact with existing grid management, and what individual state roles might be are questions that will have to be decided in the near future.

By Leslie Nemo • Jan. 20, 2021

10 state utility commission chairs to FERC: Let's strengthen federal-state electricity regulatory relationships

"We call on federal and state electricity regulators to explore a forum where pressing policy issues can be discussed in a way that improves coordination and understanding across the jurisdictional lines," the commissioners write.

By Jason Stanek, Philip L. Bartlett II, Joseph L. Fiordaliso, Marissa Paslick Gillet, Willie L. Phillips, Ted J. Thomas, Rebecca Cameron Valcq, Hayley Williamson, Dallas Winslow and Carrie K. Zalewski • Jan. 20, 2021

FERC rejects NYISO MOPR expansion, gas infrastructure orders, in Danly's last meeting as chair

"This meeting is not normal," an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a tweet.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 20, 2021

DC Circuit rejects Trump EPA ACE rule, opening door for more stringent regulations under Biden

The court found the Clean Power Plan replacement "hinged on a fundamental misconstruction" of the Clean Air Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 20, 2021

California approves PG&E, SDG&E, SCE microgrid tariffs with eye to upcoming fire season

As battery storage capacity is added in California, developers are preparing to meet the summer peak demand through new projects, including microgrids.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 19, 2021

Hawaii finalizes utility regulation considered potential template for US power system transformation

Stakeholders agree the state's final performance-based regulation order includes opportunities and safeguards that can lead to a new regulatory paradigm.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2021

California releases final root cause analysis of August rolling blackouts

Renewables and storage advocates said the report shows California should invest more aggressively in long-term energy storage, to ensure power from intermittent resources, such as solar, can be available during peak hours.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2021

Duke, Southern file SEEM proposal with FERC as North Carolina regulators mull authority

Duke Energy argued state regulators do not need to approve its proposal to form a centralized energy exchange market before filing with federal regulators.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Feb. 16, 2021

Biden advisor: US 'lost critical time' in climate change fight

National Economic Council Director-Designate Brian Deese said reentering the Paris agreement will be a top priority of Biden's administration, but more must be done to curb emissions.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 14, 2021

2021 Outlook: 10 power sector trends to watch

A new administration under a new party is one of many signs that 2021 will look different for policymakers, regulators, utilities and other stakeholders, but the continuation of some older trends is expected as well.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 13, 2021

2021 Outlook: The DER boom continues, driving a ‘reimagining’ of the distribution system

The rise of distributed resources will require a renewed distribution system that gives utilities more visibility of what's going on at the customer level to cut costs and protect reliability. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 12, 2021

Microgrids are coming — will they increase inequities?

The resources must not be deployed mainly for the benefit of higher-wealth communities, the author writes.

By Ed Smeloff • Jan. 11, 2021

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission needs a reboot

The need for a new approach is especially evident with gas pipeline approvals as FERC continues to rely on a flawed assumption that the existence of a contract to supply gas implies "public need" for a pipeline, the author writes.

By Ashish Solanki • Jan. 8, 2021