Coronavirus calls utilities to humanitarian role — how to help troubled customers in this time of need

As the nation mobilizes to contain the coronavirus, utilities' most vulnerable customers need special assistance as the pandemic exposes and exacerbates existing fault lines between haves and have-nots, the author writes.

By Lisa Markus • March 18, 2020

A red state template for 100% renewables? Utah bill unites Rocky Mountain Power, cities and activists

An 80% Republican legislature has approved HB 411, which will move more than a third of the state’s electricity load to 100% renewables by 2030.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 17, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

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

PJM over-forecasting costs consumers up to $4.4B for unneeded energy capacity: Report

The Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council funded a report that confirms the large price tag of the high reserve margin in PJM's forward capacity auction.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 17, 2020

As Congress mulls stimulus, Trump should avoid Obama's 2009 mistake

Today's low capital costs combined with low-cost deployment of proven and workable clean power systems present us an opportunity we will likely never have again, the author writes.

By Reed Hundt • March 17, 2020

Global coal developers at risk of losing over $600B through building new plants: Report

There are 499 GW of new coal generation planned or under construction globally, and all of that power will be undercut by cheaper renewables in all major global markets by 2030, a new analysis finds.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 12, 2020

Indiana passes coal plant support bill as Democrats removed from conference committee deliberations

The final version of the bill keeps the 90-day fuel supply provision out, but reverts back to other elements of the House version that would make coal plants more difficult to retire in the state.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 11, 2020

Gov Northam signs clean energy bill in dramatic transition for Virginia amid dispute over customer costs

Virginia regulators put a high price on implementing the Clean Economy Act, which calls for 3.1 GW of storage by 2035, along with other measures. But supporters say some benefits could not be quantified.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 13, 2020

Colorado significantly off-track on climate goals, NGOs say, faces transmission and market obstacles

New research indicates that the state could miss its 2025 and 2030 emissions reductions targets by 30 million and 46 million metric tons respectively. 

By Kavya Balaraman • March 10, 2020

SDG&E, SCE say California transport electrification plan could freeze investment, jeopardize state EV goals

The two utilities, along with the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and 19 other parties have asked the CPUC for a stay on the proposed framework and time to file alternative proposals of their own.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 10, 2020

Democratic Senators push to include FERC reform in comprehensive Senate energy bill

Though none of the proposed amendments were added to the bill's updated version, observers say versions of the amendments could resurface in the House.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 9, 2020

Wind, solar and storage take up 95% of ISO-New England interconnection queue, marking 'dramatic shift'

Five years ago, the majority of the queue was natural gas capacity, CEO Gordon van Welie told reporters.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 9, 2020

Virginia passes bill to bring scrutiny to coal plant closures, despite Dominion opposition

Clean energy and consumer advocates call the state Senate's passage of the bill a momentous signal after years of agreeing with the energy giant.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 6, 2020

Renewables, EV tax credits won't be included in Senate energy bill 'unless we have a miracle on the floor': Wyden

"We're not going to win this round," the top Democrat of the Senate Finance Committee said, as House members and clean energy interests push for greater renewables incentives in the Senate's comprehensive energy bill.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 5, 2020

PG&E tells federal judge it can't commit to specific increases in tree-trimming workforce

The utility is also considering creating local operating regions for some everyday gas and electric functions, per PG&E Corp. President and CEO Bill Johnson.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 5, 2020

Green Mountain Power's pioneering steps in transactive energy raise big questions about DER's value

Peer-to-peer energy transactions could meet policy goals and system needs, if software platforms resolve the complexities of value and reliable operation.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 4, 2020

DOE Secretary holds out hope for new low carbon coal plants as Senate drills him on renewables cuts

Congress is faced with an energy "budget that, frankly, sucks," Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., told Secretary Dan Brouillette during the hearing.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 4, 2020

Senate confirms Danly, but Manchin pledges to hold out for Democratic FERC pairing in future

The Senate confirmed James Danly without a Democratic pairing, while Democrats have expressed their frustration at the increasingly political commission.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 13, 2020

CAISO urges CPUC to consider increased interim natural gas needs as part of long-term state transition

California's grid operator said intra-day and seasonal gas usage in the electric sector could rise while the state transitions to 100% clean energy.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 4, 2020

Comprehensive Senate energy bill draws industry, bipartisan support, but lags on tax credits, efficiency

The bill would include 17 demonstration projects for advanced nuclear, carbon capture, long duration storage and geothermal, moving away from the Trump administration's more research-focused funding approach.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 3, 2020

Virginia legislature torn over keeping a Dominion coal plant running past 2030

The Senate and General Assembly are reconciling two versions of a clean energy package, including an amendment that would exempt a newer coal plant in Wise County from retiring in the next decade.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 3, 2020

Washington's Clean Fuels Standard: Good for utilities, consumers and… birds?

With so much uncertainty around the impacts of the Trump administration’s deregulatory agenda, it's imperative to have state-level regulations that don't depend on federal authority, the author writes.

By Adam Maxwell • March 2, 2020

NYC storage 'most adversely impacted' by FERC orders: NYISO CEO

Nuclear zero emissions credits and new renewable energy resource credits upstate will not face similar hurdles to market participation, said Richard Dewey, CEO of the grid operator.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 28, 2020

'Beyond frustating' Senate dispute stalls bipartisan energy legislation

Adoption of the comprehensive package was disrupted over an amendment that would limit the use of hydrofluorocarbons.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 10, 2020

Indiana Senate passes controversial coal bill after removing fuel oversupply provision

The latest iteration removed language that would have allowed utilities to store up to 90 days of fuel supply on site and shortens the sunset period. It now heads to conference committee, where stakeholders warn it could be reverted to its original version.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated March 5, 2020

Spending more on renewables 'inappropriate,' as technology is already viable: DOE Secretary

Dan Brouillette defended President Donald Trump's proposed cuts to energy efficiency and renewables to a House committee as a pivot toward emerging technologies that have not yet reached market maturity, such as energy storage.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 28, 2020