Green stimulus could create $280B in economic benefits: C40

The C40 Global Mayors Recovery Task Force said investing relief money in solutions to fight climate change could prevent 270,000 premature deaths globally and create over 6 million jobs in the U.S. alone.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 28, 2020

Election 2020: For DOE, staffing, renewables spending, transparency at stake Nov. 3, analysts say

A Biden administration could refocus the U.S. Department of Energy on clean energy, transparency and environmental justice. Under Trump, expect more of the same push for deregulation. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

National Grid to develop 600 MW offshore wind RFP for Rhode Island

The state had 933 MW of wind and solar as of Q2 2020 as it aims to meet 100% of electricity demand with renewables by 2030.

By Larry Pearl • Oct. 28, 2020

Election 2020: Trump's FERC may need to shift course on clean energy, though Biden's road will not be easy

No matter what happens Nov. 3, the agency will have no choice but to address the industry's transition, even if it means backing away from some of its more controversial policies under the Trump administration, analysts say.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 27, 2020

Colorado PUC dismisses exit fee complaints against Tri-State, says FERC and district courts have jurisdiction

Colorado utility commissioners declined to consider Tri-State exit fee disputes, concluding the matter falls under the jurisdiction of FERC and of Colorado district courts.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 26, 2020

Election 2020: Climate policy faces a tough road through Congress regardless of electoral outcomes

A Democratic Senate will attempt to pass Joe Biden's clean energy standard in the face of an expected Republican filibuster, while bipartisan support exists for more R&D spending on carbon-cutting technologies.

By Matthew Bandyk • Oct. 26, 2020

As conflict rises over utility DER ownership, a Duke Florida program could offer a way forward

Regulators must decide how to separate regulated and private markets as both see ownership of rooftop and community solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2020

FERC landmark DER rule leaves open questions on grid operator implementation

A key question is whether grid operators and utilities try to open up market participation to DERs as much as possible, or whether they just do the bare minimum, a storage executive said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 22, 2020

EPA expands coal ash storage options for utilities in move NGOs say violates DC Circuit ruling

The power industry says the rule is based on a record EPA has built since 2015, and will apply to only a narrow subset of facilities.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 20, 2020

New England states call for changes to wholesale markets, transmission planning and grid governance

The current system "has actively hindered our efforts to decarbonize the grid," according to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2020

FERC PJM order muddies state subsidy definition under MOPR, potentially hinders renewables, Glick says

Commissioner Richard Glick said the order is further evidence that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is overreaching when it comes to state clean energy policies.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020

FERC confirms carbon pricing jurisdiction in wholesale markets, Chatterjee 'encourages' proposals

"This commission encourages efforts to develop wholesale market rules that incorporate a state-determined carbon price in [wholesale] markets," Chairman Neil Chatterjee said. Commissioner James Danly called it "unnecessary."

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020

Gas generators ask FERC to apply PJM MOPR logic to NYISO

Two gas generators claim current market rules do not address price suppression caused by state subsidies, and therefore disadvantage resources not receiving those payments.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020

BOEM needs staffing help with offshore wind permitting regardless of election results, experts say

If regulators stagger construction permits for the bottlenecked offshore wind projects, stakeholders worry it will hurt developers and communities that have been waiting for the influx of activity.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 15, 2020

Wyoming PSC: Socioeconomic impact of coal retirements not within the purview of an IRP

Deliberations at the Wyoming PSC conclude that socioeconomic impacts of coal plant retirements do not fall within the scope of an IRP, but commissioners raise questions about other criteria including rates and environmental concerns.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 13, 2020

PG&E probation judge demands details after utility equipment seized in wildfire investigation

The Zogg Fire began in late September and has since caused four fatalities and burned more than 56,000 acres.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 13, 2020

FERC's Glick blasts fellow commissioners for intruding on New York's resource mix decisions

FERC voted 2-1 last week to remove an offer exemption for some demand response resources in the New York ISO capacity market, which some experts say will reduce the competitiveness of those resources.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2020

Illinois Commerce Commission launches new probe to resolve questions about Ameren's net metering claims

Ameren announced its intention to switch from full retail net metering for future residential solar customers due to market saturation, and solar installers claim the plan is worse for business than the pandemic shutdown.

By John Funk • Oct. 9, 2020

Solar groups challenge FERC Broadview order reversing 40 years of PURPA precedent

Just six weeks before the order, FERC issued a final PURPA rule that doesn't address the decades-long precedent on qualifying facilities, making the commission guilty of an "abuse of discretion," solar advocates said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 8, 2020

Heat storm and insufficient planning caused August rolling blackouts, California regulators say

"[I]t is our responsibility and intent to plan for such events, which are becoming increasingly common in a world rapidly being impacted by climate change," regulators said in their preliminary analysis.

By Kavya Balaraman • Oct. 8, 2020

EIA raises forecast for coal generation bump in 2021, and more carbon emissions

Coal-generated electricity is on a long-term decline in the U.S., but the Energy Information Administration expects a 4% bump in its share of the nation's generation in the next year.

By Larry Pearl • Oct. 7, 2020

Ameren rejects Illinois regulators' request, ends retail net metering for new residential solar customers

Ameren said the Illinois Commerce Commission's Oct. 1 "request" that it continue full net metering would lead the utility to violate its approved tariff.

By John Funk • Oct. 6, 2020

FERC carbon pricing conference shatters attendance records, but where were the state voices?

No state within a regulated market was represented. "I truly believe that the leadership at FERC has been dysfunctional for 3.5 years," said New Jersey's head regulator, adding it's "not friendly" to states.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 5, 2020

PBR for utilities: Is it better than the beer?

A poorly designed and executed performance-based regulation mechanism can harm utility customers when the intent is to benefit them, the author writes.

By Kenneth W. Costello • Oct. 5, 2020

Biden could pursue 'easy' climate solutions, elements of the Green New Deal if elected: experts

Renewable energy, storage and transmission projects will continue to face challenges even in "blue" states supportive of such development, according to speakers at the Society of Environmental Journalists' annual conference.

By Gloria Gonzalez • Oct. 2, 2020