DC Circuit rejects EPA air rule, requires tighter emission limits on power plants, other sources

While environmenal advocates hailed the court's decision, the EPA has indicated it may appeal the ruling.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2019

Coal group pressed state regulators to ask FERC for resilience action

Six public utility commissioners asked FERC for "some sort of definitive action one way or another" on its resilience docket in light of coal and nuclear plant retirements.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Oct. 14, 2019

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

3 state commissions upending the way utilities do business

Oregon, Illinois and Hawaii regulators are disrupting the traditional utility cost-of-service model to bring more distributed energy resources online.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 2, 2019

Renewable gas or electrification? Minnesota's high stakes experiment on building decarbonization

CenterPoint Energy proposed a green tariff for renewable natural gas that was rejected by Minnesota regulators, but the utility says the fuel is a viable path to decarbonization.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 1, 2019

Minnesota rejects Xcel's 720 MW Mankato gas plant purchase over stranded asset concerns

The utility still plans to buy the facility through an unregulated subsidiary, which some clean energy advocates say could loosen regulatory oversight.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 1, 2019

As Puerto Rico generators trip offline, PREPA relies on load shedding, looks to microgrids

The island utility faces resource adequacy problems as energy regulators consider a plan to reinforce resiliency through eight regional "minigrids."

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 30, 2019

Storage bill expanding utility rate recovery options for battery projects clears Senate committee

Top energy storage advocates are optimistic about the Better Energy Storage Technology Act's chances for a floor vote because of its bipartisan support.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2019

Don't leave low-income families behind in California's climate fight

California policymakers have a tremendous opportunity to benefit all Californians — particularly those who are most at risk from the long-term consequences of climate change and face health and economic challenges today.

By J. Andrew McAllister & Ted Lamm • Sept. 30, 2019

Demand response top focus as Minnesota regulators adopt Xcel performance metrics

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission proposed more metrics to align the utility's generation with load in a transition from traditional cost-of-service ratemaking.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2019

Minnesota, New Mexico propose clean car rules as Trump attacks California standards

State and city leaders as well as utilities worry the administration's proposed rules could threaten EV momentum and are setting their own rules.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 26, 2019

California proposes eliminating simplified energy resource plans, but SCE says more is needed

Southern California Edison says it supports a stronger IRP process, but cautioned that eliminating alternative plans would require regulators to adjust greenhouse gas planning targets and demand forecasts.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2019

California proposes IOUs collect $900M annually for wildfire fund, with one major hurdle for PG&E

The $21 billion fund would be seeded by both shareholders and ratepayers, but Pacific Gas & Electric would need to exit bankruptcy to access the money.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2019

California wants a carbon-free economy by 2045: Can floating offshore wind help it get there?

New technology could bring ocean wind when there is no sun to recharge depleted batteries.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 2019

A Trump tariff boost? Georgia solar manufacturing plant will be North America's largest

Korea-based Hanwha Q Cells' new plant will produce 12,000 solar panels a day. But solar advocates contend the sector would have done better without the tariffs.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 24, 2019

Solar tax credit extension would add 82 GW by 2030, SEIA forecasts

A 10-year extension would lead to $87 billion of private sector investment and 308 GW of solar installations by 2030, the solar energy industries association.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 24, 2019

Northeastern utilities aim to 'crush and flatten' system peaks as DERs boost grid efficiency

DER providers and utilities have found shared market interests in New England, leading to cooperative BYOD programs that provide a range of benefits for customers and the power system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2019

FERC proposal would 'gut' PURPA, could lower rates utilities pay to solar developers

The proposed rule would allow states to set the avoided cost rate based on changing market conditions, which would lessen small solar's ability to compete in the market, renewable energy groups contend.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Oct. 8, 2019

How better data management improves utility efficiency, compliance and decision-making

Proper maintenance and upkeep of critical infrastructure are no longer delayed or even compromised simply because paper records about past work and tests are difficult, if not impossible, to locate.

Sept. 20, 2019

Trump administration threatens California emissions authority as state continues EV-focus

California passed six EV-related bills this legislative session, but its zero emissions vehicle rebate program could be threatened by EPA's actions.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 19, 2019

Virginia Gov. Northam orders 100% carbon-free power by 2050

The governor's order also calls for the state to reach 30% renewable energy and reduce its power consumption 10% below 2006 levels by 2022.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 18, 2019

PJM capacity market plan to increase costs $8.4B, market monitor estimates

PJM's plan, currently before FERC, is more of a worst-case scenario regarding cost increases, according to Monitoring Analytics, which is uniquely positioned to calculate the precise cost.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 18, 2019

Burlington, Vermont's net zero energy roadmap showcases how utilities can lead on climate

The city's goal of eliminating fossil fuel use across the electric, thermal and ground transportation sectors, may be one of the most ambitious local climate goals in the nation, writes Burlington Electric's Darren Springer.

By Darren Springer • Sept. 18, 2019

Avangrid case ban for FERC's Glick jeopardizes quorum for PJM capacity market, other rules

The commissioner announced last Thursday that he was mistakenly told he would not have to recuse himself from cases involving the Northeast utility after February 2018.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 17, 2019

MOPR Madness: 2 wrongs don't make a right

Regardless of the exact cost of PJM's plan to address state subsidy impacts on its capacity market, the amount is large and unnecessary, Electricity Consumers Resource Council's Devin Hartman writes.

By Devin Hartman • Sept. 13, 2019

California proposes 2.5 GW procurement, gas plants extensions to ensure reliability

More than 4 GW of gas plants in the state are expected to retire by 2021, but the CPUC wants to extend their environmental compliance dates until new resources are brought online.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 13, 2019