NextEra, Vistra join array of stakeholders in asking FERC to look at carbon pricing

Industry leaders say carbon pricing could provide a more consistent federal policy across territories than the varying carbon reduction goals set by states.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 16, 2020

Power shutoff bans amid pandemic may require cost recovery for utilities

A new lobbying effort is encouraging federal lawmakers to add language prohibiting utility disconnections to the next COVID-19 funding package.

By John Funk • April 16, 2020

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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

Groups sue DOE over 'arbitrary' threshold they say will avoid tougher efficiency standards for appliances

The lawsuit is the third one related to the national appliance standards program that the Natural Resources Defense Council has filed in the last five months.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2020

7 ways to refine the energy sector's COVID-19 response

The energy industry needs to proactively position itself to weather the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy director of the R Street Institute writes.

By Devin Hartman • April 15, 2020

Legal experts, NGOs blast EPA move on air quality standards after higher pollution linked to COVID-19 deaths

The agency finalized rules Monday keeping particulate matter standards the same. "To whom does Wheeler answer when he makes life or death determinations?" one legal expert asked when the rule was proposed.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Dec. 8, 2020

Increasing renewables and DER demand new reliability approach, but California is falling short, groups say

Resource adequacy's planning reserve margin worked when supply and load were stable, but new system realities demand a more dynamic approach to protect reliability, emerging power providers and DER advocacy groups say.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2020

EPA rule change to save 4 coal plants across Pennsylvania, West Virginia

"This seems like a relatively low stakes act, in terms of the actual effect it will have on the environment," one professor noted, adding the move was likely made "to score some political points in Pennsylvania."

By Catherine Morehouse • April 14, 2020

Post-coronavirus economic recovery requires EV adoption

The next federal stimulus bill should include three objectives to create a healthier economy: more access to EV charging stations, electrification incentives and support of grid-level demand.

By Christopher George & Jan Maceczek • April 13, 2020

Kansas ruling against Evergy's rooftop solar demand charges could have wider impacts, advocates say

The decision could counter the assertions of other utilities that owners of large arrays become "free riders" whose monthly bills do not pay for the cost of the distribution lines, according to renewables advocates.

By John Funk • April 13, 2020

Southwest Generation purchase of Xcel gas plant to raise JPMorgan affiliation question again at FERC

JPMorgan's legal relationship with the $12 billion Infrastructure Investments Fund was first raised during the sale of El Paso Electric.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 9, 2020

DOE eyes storage technologies to improve the performance of fossil fuel plants

Energy storage resources could help fossil-fueled facilities provide more reliable and affordable energy, according to the department's Office of Fossil Energy.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 9, 2020

Heightened focus on decarbonization likely post COVID-19 crisis

"As we move forward to remobilize our economy, we expect to see calls for direct investment in energy infrastructure," including energy storage, distributed energy resources, EV infrastructure and renewables, the authors write.

By Geoff Burmeister, David Cherney, Matt Mooren and Zach Pollock • April 8, 2020

Utilities move to delay rate case proceedings during pandemic

In New York, regulators are approving deferrals from three to five months, extending how long utilities must wait to recover costs on their investments.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 8, 2020

Ann Arbor, MI City Council rejects $1B climate plan

Some council members found the plan to include concerning costs, while others argued the plan was put together in haste.

By Chris Teale • Updated April 22, 2020

Hawaii groups see role for DERs in economic recovery from COVID-19

Regulators could require expedited interconnection processes as part of a broader strategy to bolster the economy and ensure reliability during COVID-19, the groups said.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 8, 2020

NextEra mulls bid for Evergy amid market volatility, may face competing offers from AEP, Ameren: Report

NextEra continues to show interest in purchasing an electric utility after JEA's board of directors in 2019 rejected its bid and several others to buy the municipal utility.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 8, 2020

Pelosi steps back on infrastructure push as renewables industry vies for aid

Clean energy advocates say there are still avenues for power sector relief from the federal government, including critical project deadline extensions.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 6, 2020

BlackRock, Morgan Stanley to utilities: Tackle climate-related risks or lose market value

Analyst research shows utilities that address climate-related physical and transition risks earn higher valuations from investors.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2020

The CARES Act won't support cleantech, but cities still can

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator CEO Matt Petersen is urging cities to align priorities around COVID-19 mitigation and climate action while the federal government focuses on other funding.

By Kristin Musulin • April 3, 2020

EPA rebukes COVID-19 compliance flexibility backlash; FERC gives regulated entities leeway

Federal lawmakers and environmental groups pushed back on EPA moves they said gave power facilities license to pollute.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 3, 2020

PG&E request for early recovery of $899M from customers troubles ratepayer advocates

Pacific Gas & Electric is proposing a 5% increase to customer bills for 17 months to fund wildfire-related work, and refund ratepayers if the costs are later found to be unreasonable.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 2, 2020

Public utility regulation should be politicized to tap cheaper, cleaner energy options

Political influences, exerted by various interests over decades, have shaped and influenced regulation from its first days — and have overwhelmingly favored fossil fuels, the author writes.

By Ron Lehr • April 2, 2020

New Jersey's energy efficiency approach could reduce incentive to invest, stakeholders warn

A proposal to reduce utility returns on equity for efficiency investments drew concern from electric companies in the state at an April 1 stakeholder meeting.

By Robert Walton • April 2, 2020

California utilities fear market manipulation from proposed changes to RPS confidentiality rules

A staff proposal from the California Public Utilities Commission would disclose the cost of renewables contracts sooner than usual after negotiations are concluded.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 1, 2020

California proposes PG&E, SCE as central procurement agencies, but CCAs have doubts

The system would help create an effective portfolio of local resources, reduce the need for backstop procurement and allocate costs equitably, the CPUC said.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 1, 2020