FERC shuts down petition to upend net metering, McNamee signals issue could return

Though all four commissioners voted against the petition, Commissioners James Danly and Bernard McNamee issued separate concurrence statements.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 17, 2020

Trump finalizes rule 'slashing' environmental permitting reviews for wind, pipeline projects

Wind, coal and gas groups largely support the administration's "top-to-bottom overhaul" of the National Environmental Policy Act.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 16, 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

Minnesota approves Xcel request to operate 2 coal plants seasonally

The Allen S. King plant and unit 2 of the Sherco facility will now sit idle six months out of the year.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 16, 2020

Biden outlines $2T plan to invest in renewables, electrification

While Joe Biden explains his vision of climate change as an opportunity for economic growth, a renewable industry report shows positive signs of recovery in the face of COVID-19.

By Emma Penrod • July 15, 2020

'Almost impossible' for FERC to address rehearing orders in 30 days, Glick says

Commissioner Richard Glick told a virtual conference that the most reasonable avenue for Congress to take would be extending the commission's timeline to respond to requests for rehearing to 90 days.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 15, 2020

Duke, Southern plan path for Southeast Energy Imbalance Market

For utilities in the region, such a market could "improve how we can jointly operate growing solar resources on our systems," a Duke spokesperson said.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 14, 2020

Wyoming scrutinizes Pacificorp coal retirement plans in 'unheard of' IRP investigation

State regulators on Monday launched a week-long administrative trial for the utility's latest integrated resource plan, instead of a typical proceeding with written comments in response to the proposal.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 14, 2020

DC Circuit upholds landmark FERC storage order, rejecting claims it violates state authority

"I think 841 … [may be] one of the single most significant ... actions taken by a government agency to address carbon mitigation and the transition to a clean energy future," FERC Chair Neil Chatterjee told reporters.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 13, 2020

Audit of Hawaiian Electric sends a postcard about the future of regulation

The utility's restructuring has supported and streamlined Hawaii's ongoing "transition to a 100% renewable future," the audit reported. But "costs and staffing levels have also increased," often without "a clear role or purpose."

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2020

Duke, AEP, FirstEnergy tell FERC future COVID-19 uncertainty presents 'significant risk'

Although utilities have not yet seen substantive threats to their capital, they insist to federal regulators that potential future hurdles will require "adequate and timely" cost recovery from states.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 10, 2020

Pennsylvania House OKs bill curbing state's ability to join RGGI in ongoing dispute with governor

The move comes as regulators released an analysis showing that limits on carbon dioxide and other power plant pollutants would produce significant economic and health benefits.

By Larry Pearl • July 9, 2020

California regulators instruct utilities to incorporate climate planning into rate cases

The CPUC is the first regulator in the country evaluating the potential of climate change impact on utility planning, according to a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Aug. 28, 2020

Natural gas pipeline developers aim to differentiate from Atlantic Coast and avoid its fate

The Constitution Pipeline and Atlantic Coast Pipeline have been abandoned within months of each other, and natural gas developers are working to establish differences between themselves and the unsuccessful projects.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 8, 2020

DC Circuit pipeline ruling could prompt dramatic shift in FERC power sector actions, attorneys say

The ruling could have major consequences for stakeholders requesting a rehearing from the commission in the gas and electricity sectors.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 8, 2020

Regulators reject utility moves to recover revenue lost to COVID-19 as analysts, advocates see trend continuing

After swift dismissals in Indiana and Wisconsin, analysts say utilities' requests to raise rates could have a disproportionately negative impact on ratepayers, especially if load decreases become permanent.

By Emma Penrod • July 7, 2020

Momentum grows for piloting Netflix-like fixed subscription rates, but not everyone's on board

For customers who want predictable bills, pairing automated smart distribution technologies with flat rates can resolve the overuse challenge of traditional fixed bills.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2020

Interior Department to streamline offshore wind permitting, nix unsolicited leasing

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management plans to issue proposed rules this month to deregulate offshore wind and facilitate more development, according to the Trump administration's Spring Regulatory Agenda.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 6, 2020

Taking Charge: Wisconsin's newest utility commissioner on the state's 'utility-scale changeover'

Wisconsin Public Service Commissioner Tyler Huebner spoke to Utility Dive about the state's transition from coal and toward a greener, more distributed grid.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 6, 2020

NERA counters broad opposition to FERC net metering petition, reveals utility-linked member

Attorneys for the New England Ratepayers Association have revealed one of its members — the president and founder of energy consulting firm Brant Energy, whose clients include National Grid, Eversource and DTE Energy.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 2, 2020

Florida's customer-sited solar reaches new heights as regulators oppose federal petition to upend net metering

The Florida Public Service Commission joined other states to oppose a national petition in support of state-led net metering policies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 1, 2020

House Democrats release sweeping climate proposal calling for net-zero US emissions by 2050

The proposal does not eliminate natural gas fracking and leaves the door open for carbon capture technology.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 1, 2020

How utilities can support diverse business entities impacted by the COVID-19 crisis

Diverse business entities are facing financial uncertainty, reductions in allowable work and cash flow crises due to the pandemic, the authors write. 

By Ronnette Anderson and Laura Orfanedes • July 1, 2020

Battery energy storage is getting cheaper, but how much deployment is too much?

As renewable penetrations rise, batteries are the answer to variability, but it is not clear when buying more storage stops increasing reliability.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 30, 2020

Federalizing net metering is unequivocally anti-conservative

If the conservative movement is to achieve more victories at the energy regulatory margin, it needs to coalesce, move past generic posturing and start diving deep into institutional contexts, the author writes.

By Devin Hartman • June 30, 2020

Comprehensive energy bill could see Senate floor as early as July: Murkowski chief counsel

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, "is absolutely 110% committed to this bill," Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chief Counsel Lucy Murfitt said. "She's gonna fight until there's just simply no path forward left for the bill."

By Catherine Morehouse • June 30, 2020