Colorado Tri-State ruling could provide co-op exit template amid rising tensions with G&T providers

Tri-State is struggling to respond to member demands for renewable energy. The conflict could have implications that drive an energy transition — or tear the electric cooperative system apart.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 13, 2020

NRC commissioner blasts proposed emergency preparedness rules for SMRs as a 'radical departure'

Small modular reactors could be exempt from a 10-mile evacuation zone requirement under a new proposal. Could the Nuclear Regulatory Commission offer its emergency preparedness alternative to existing facilities?

By Guy Burdick • May 13, 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

Treasury Department offers wind industry coronavirus lifeline with safe harbor extension

The renewables sector is urging Congress to enact temporary refundability for renewable energy credits and take other "commonsense measures," to aid the industry. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 28, 2020

Dominion's nearly $50 monthly power bill hike in Virginia is a warning for other states

The utility's monopoly status is functionally similar to the Fixed Resource Requirement offramp that some states across PJM are seeking, and could mean trouble for ratepayers, writes EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler.

By Todd Snitchler • May 11, 2020

CPUC imposes largest ever penalty of $1.9B on PG&E for Northern California wildfires

However, the agency permanently suspended PG&E's obligation to pay an additional $200 million fine that the utility said could derail its bankruptcy exit.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 11, 2020

Trump's security order could have 'chilling effect,' slow smart grid deployment, experts say

An executive order issued May 1 by the White House effectively blocks the power sector from sourcing grid components from China, say trade and cybersecurity attorneys and consultants.

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2020

Securing relief amid COVID-19: 4 considerations for utilities

To lessen the liquidity burden for utilities, there are some crucial tax avenues and regulatory matters for utilities to consider, writes Kimberly Johnston, National Power & Utilities Tax Partner at Ernst & Young.

By Kimberly Johnston • May 7, 2020

MISO: Majority of coal is self-committed, 12% was uneconomic over 3-year period

Advocacy groups say the numbers support their arguments that running coal plants uneconomically is costing ratepayers billions of dollars.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 7, 2020

DC Circuit grills NARUC, FERC on whether Order 841 will harm state ability to regulate distribution

The fundamental question for judges is whether FERC's landmark energy storage order will harm states' ability to operate the safety and reliability of their distribution systems.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 6, 2020

New York to include small combustion turbines in annual carbon emission limits

New York is the last of the 10 states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to outline how it will meet the lower regional CO2 limits set to begin in 2021 and continue with annual reductions through 2030.

By John Funk • Updated Dec. 2, 2020

Dominion steels itself for market volatility, anticipating slow economic reopening in Virginia, South Carolina

The electric utility anticipates a slow recovery from pandemic conditions through the late summer as the states plan to lift restrictions.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 6, 2020

Dominion jacks up renewables and storage in Virginia IRP, following landmark clean energy rule

In its newest plan for the state, Dominion would add between 11 and 40 GW of solar in the next 25 years and up to 5 GW of offshore wind in the next 15 years, while still keeping some natural gas in the system.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 5, 2020

States should leave markets that don't work for families and businesses after bad FERC decisions

Reentering PJM and other markets can be reconsidered when a new FERC majority is ready to care at all about consumers instead of political donors, the author writes.

By Mark Kresowik • May 5, 2020

PG&E foresees $600M or greater loss for Kincade Fire, files to securitize $7.5B in fire costs

PG&E expects to have its reorganization plan confirmed by the bankruptcy court by June 30 and officially exit bankruptcy by Aug. 29.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 4, 2020

Pueblo, Colorado, voters reject Black Hills Energy exit

The city's mayor told Utility Dive that forming a municipal utility will help the city lower rates and reach its 100% renewable energy goal by 2035.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 6, 2020

Powering through — and beyond — the crisis

The grid can be part of how we return to a more resilient economy, putting Americans back to work and through investments that will keep the nation even better positioned for new threats and challenges in the future, the author writes.

By Sue Tierney • May 4, 2020

New Mexico delays 350 MW, 240 MWh solar+storage projects intended to replace San Juan coal plant

Meanwhile, a company determined to save the San Juan plant announced it has secured $22 million in federal funding to explore potential carbon storage options in grounds near the facility.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 1, 2020

Judge calls PG&E vegetation work 'sloppy and unreliable,' imposes new conditions on the utility

The utility has told U.S. District Judge William Alsup that its wildfire mitigation work, which includes vegetation management, requires flexibility and "failure to adapt could create safety risks rather than reduce them."

By Kavya Balaraman • April 30, 2020

FERC's Chatterjee highlights COVID-19 demand disruptions, resource threats

The FERC chair also rejected the notion that the commission's PJM MOPR order will hurt renewables, and urged states to wait before pulling out of the RTO's capacity market.

By Larry Pearl • April 29, 2020

Four steps electric utilities can take to support their communities during the COVID crisis

Utilities can take a more targeted and impactful approach to supporting affected business and disadvantaged communities by accelerating energy efficiency and EV infrastructure investments, among other steps.

By Dan Gabaldon, Kyle Datta and Bob Zabors • April 29, 2020

Maryland taking a 'serious look' at exiting PJM capacity market through FRR, says PSC Chair

The state filed a petition for review with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals this week, echoing concerns raised by Illinois, New Jersey and others that federal regulators are unfairly infringing on state clean energy policy.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 29, 2020

Utility shutoff bans are in effect for many families, but what happens when they end?

There will be an explosion of utility debt when disconnection moratoriums end, putting customers at risk of having their service shut off, the author writes.

By John Howat • April 28, 2020

Transportation Electrification Partnership proposes $150B federal stimulus package

The proposal calls for investments in zero emission infrastructure, EV adoption, workforce development and other areas to build climate resilience amid COVID-19.

By Cailin Crowe • April 27, 2020

As extreme weather spurs billions in utility resilience spending, regulators struggle to value investments

A new study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows the value of resilience depends on too many factors to easily quantify and moves regulators back to human judgment.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2020

Houston unveils first Climate Action Plan

Houston is home to one of the largest rates of per capita GHG emissions in the country, yet it wasn't until Hurricane Harvey in 2017 that the city's perception of climate urgency turned on its head.

By Kristin Musulin • April 25, 2020