Senate works to pass comprehensive energy bill in 2020 as renewables sector vies for more aid

If approved, the bill would likely be a slimmed down version of what Democrats and the clean energy industry want to see in comprehensive energy legislation, according to Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 9, 2020

California sketches plan to wean off fossil fuels during wildfire-related power outages

The approach is part of a proposed decision that would implement new rates, rules and tariffs for microgrids.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 9, 2020

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

Regulator of the Year: Neil Chatterjee, FERC

It's hard to imagine an agency that has had more effect on the power sector this year than the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and it's impossible to divorce that impact from its now-former chairman: Neil Chatterjee.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

The Utility Dive Awards for 2020

The winners exemplified leadership in a time of crisis by working toward economic means of transitioning the power sector.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Out with the old, in with the new: Why regionalized grid coordination is inevitable

Clearly, the traditional energy regulatory structures are an outdated solution to a modern problem, write Colorado State Senator Chris Hansen and former New Mexico utility commissioner Doug Howe.

By Chris Hansen and Doug Howe • Dec. 8, 2020

Are utilities legally required to plan for climate change? 'The devil is in the details.'

Utilities could be on the hook for damages related to climate change, according to a new report from the Environmental Defense Fund. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2020

California's pathway to 100% clean electricity begins to take shape, but reliability concerns persist

Achieving a 100% clean electricity goal by 2045 is technically achievable, a draft report from the state's energy agencies concludes.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 7, 2020

Illinois rejects Ameren move to abandon full retail net metering for new home solar arrays

The Illinois Commerce Commission is giving Ameren 21 days to restore its net metering tariff and give rebates to customers who have installed solar since Oct. 2. 

By John Funk • Dec. 7, 2020

Court rejects Trump challenge of DTE agreement to retire 3 coal plants

After Sierra Club reached a settlement requiring a more stringent response to Clean Air Act violations from the utility, the Environmental Protection Agency accused the group of encroaching on its authority.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 7, 2020

EPA proposes Texas be allowed to operate its own coal ash management program

If approved, Texas would be the third state to run or partially run its own permitting program for coal ash management, part of the Trump Administration's efforts to give states more leeway on environmental enforcement.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 7, 2020

Google calls for more RTOs, designs 'intelligent platform' to meet 24/7 clean energy goal

The development of new software and access to more RTOs are key to achieving Google's goal of eliminating its remaining reliance on coal and gas, the company's global energy markets and policy chief tells NARUC.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 4, 2020

IoT cyber bill clears Congress — what's next for industry players?

Long awaited legislation is seen as a springboard to widespread adoption of standards across the booming connected devices industry, including smart thermostats and other items.

By David Jones • Dec. 4, 2020

Utility customers owe up to $40B in COVID-19 debt, but who will pay it?

Shutoff moratoria have provided a reprieve for some on 2020 power bills, but still-mounting debt needs forgiveness or securitization, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 3, 2020

California regulators to vote on state's first renewable natural gas tariff pilot for Sempra utilities

The three-year program is aimed at accelerating the use of low-carbon RNG and developing supplies of the gas in the state and across the country.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 2, 2020

Feds should look to states, universities for clean energy innovation model: National Academies panel

"Ecosystems" of clean energy innovation that have developed in certain cities or around universities could serve as a model for federal action, according to a panel of experts on driving energy innovation.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 2, 2020

Christie sworn into FERC, bringing commission to 5

Confirming the pair means that FERC will be a majority Republican body until June, when former Chairman Neil Chatterjee's term ends.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Jan. 4, 2021

4 strategies to rapidly scale clean energy in the next decade

To fully realize our shared climate goals and rebuild our economy, we must prioritize and enact policies to accelerate the national transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, the author writes.

By Cameron Bard • Nov. 30, 2020

Taking Charge: Rep. Sean Casten on being the energy 'nerd' in Congress and prioritizing science over politics

"We have a PhD-level problem. And Congress is at a 6th grade reading level," Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., said of working on clean energy policy on Capitol Hill.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 30, 2020

​From Maryland to California and beyond, rate design innovations are boosting the energy transition

Success with time-of-use rates can allow utilities to start integrating more variable and distributed generation, leading to more sophisticated time-varying rates that allow for the further expansion of such generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 25, 2020

Sempra utilities pitch demonstration program as first step to California hydrogen injection standard

The first proposed project would begin with a 1% hydrogen blend and could eventually increase to as much as 20%.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 25, 2020

Treasury Department proposal prohibits banks from denying lending to energy, gun companies

The 45-day comment period is uncommonly short, but may allow the agency a brief window to issue the rule before the Biden administration is expected to take office Jan. 20.

By Dan Ennis • Nov. 24, 2020

California regulator approves fare-based autonomous vehicle services

The California Public Utilities Commission said the decision "establishes four goals" that apply widely to AV programs in the state, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 23, 2020

Climate progress in power, 5 other sectors too slow to limit global warming: report

The World Resources Institute and ClimateWorks said efforts to bolster electrification and renewable energy must accelerate, while deforestation and agricultural production raised red flags.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 23, 2020

Ohio PUC Chairman Samuel Randazzo abruptly resigns four days after FBI searched his home

The FBI raided Randazzo's Columbus home early Monday morning with a sealed search warrant thought to be connected to an ongoing investigation into political corruption and the bailout of two Ohio nuclear power plants.

By John Funk • Nov. 21, 2020

NYISO, others blast gas generators' proposed fix to alleged price distortions in capacity market

Two gas generators are asking FERC to raise the floor price for state-subsidized resources in New York's capacity market, similar to the commission's ruling in the PJM Interconnection.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 20, 2020