Committing to climate: Transformation is underway in the US power sector

The electric power sector is taking climate action, and investors are taking notice. Here's how far it has come and where it needs to go next.

By Dan Bakal • April 22, 2019

FERC approves LNG terminals as anti-fossil protestors scale headquarters

Both sides say climate change is a 'crisis' — but have divergent strategies to address it.

By Gavin Bade • April 18, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

Green Mountain Power aims for 100% renewables by 2030 with up to 100 MW storage

Vermont's largest utility is 90% carbon free, but reaching 100% renewables will require the utility to increase its deployment of distributed resources and storage.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 16, 2019

Hawaii launches on-bill financing program to expand clean energy access

The state has formally unveiled a new on-bill financing program that allows Hawaiian Electric customers to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects without incurring any upfront costs.

By HJ Mai • April 16, 2019

Most MISO zones clear planning auction at $2.99/MW-day

Solar still makes up a relatively small percentage of the region's total capacity, but MISO officials said 680 MW of solar cleared in this year's auction, compared with 461 MW last year.

By Robert Walton • April 16, 2019

Baltimore trash-to-energy incinerator sues county for failure to deliver waste

Waste-to-energy qualifies as a renewable resource under Maryland law, and the facility alleges the county failed to deliver a contractually-mandated minimum of 215,000 annual tons of waste to the incinerator.

By Rina Li • April 16, 2019

Vistra, greens at odds over Illinois solar+storage bill that would preserve coal plants

A bill pending in the state legislature could provide millions of dollars for Vistra to transition its coal plants to solar and storage in the mid-2020s — years after the plants would retire absent the measure.

By Robert Walton • April 16, 2019

Iowa bill to hike distributed solar fees stalls after Senate passage

The legislation is supported by MidAmerican Energy, which says new fees would eliminate cost shifting from customers with residential solar to those without it. 

By Robert Walton • April 16, 2019

Michigan denies Consumers PURPA reset amid solar outcry

State regulators also gave themselves more time to review the IRP after criticism from solar companies over more than 3 GW of PURPA projects pending interconnnection.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 15, 2019

Renewable procurement gaps pose risk for California's climate goals, but what solution is best?

A new bill may capture broad agreement about the need for a central backstop procurement entity, but doubts about it remain.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2019

Inslee signs 100% clean energy bill in midst of 2020 White House bid

The bill was signed despite lack of bipartisan support and would require the electric grid to be 100% carbon-free by 2045, carbon-neutral by 2030 and coal-free by 2025.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 8, 2019

Indiana lawmakers reject generation moratorium aimed at saving coal

Debate over the generation moratorium corresponded with a lobbying campaign by out-of-state coal interests that supply fuel to Indiana generators, the Indianapolis Star reported.

By Gavin Bade • April 12, 2019

EVgo adding 14 battery storage systems to spur EV fast charger deployment

The storage systems will provide relief to demand charge rate structures as well as offering load balancing and mitigating distribution grid upgrade costs, the company said.

By HJ Mai • April 12, 2019

Apple suppliers help tech giant exceed clean energy goal

Apple now has 44 suppliers operating their related production lines on all clean energy, as it aims to bring 4 GW of renewables into its supply chain by 2020.

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2019

Puerto Rico governor signs 100% renewable energy mandate

The law aims to replace imported oil, gas and coal, which today make up the brunt of the island's generation. 

By Gavin Bade • April 12, 2019

Chicago becomes largest US city to commit to 100% clean energy

The city council voted unanimously on the resolution, which also calls for complete electrification of the city's bus fleet by 2040.

By Kristin Musulin • April 12, 2019

Hawaiian Electric targets nearly 1.4 GWh storage, 135 MW solar equivalent in latest solicitation

If approved by Hawaii regulators, the second phase of the utility's procurement plans would compensate for the planned closure of two fossil-fuel power plants and bring the state closer to its 100% renewable energy goal.

By HJ Mai • April 11, 2019

Renewable power – more than a passing trend

 See how data-driven utilities leverage renewables to improve grid reliability vs. just mitigating their impacts.

By Mazi Fayazfar, CTO Energy & Utilities, Atos N. America • April 11, 2019

California utilities support centralized renewables procurement proposal, but urge caution

A California Administrative Law Judge issued the proposal in March after concluding that integrated resource plans filed by utilities and community choice aggregators would not reliably meet the state's climate goals. 

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2019

Maryland 50% RPS bill doubles offshore wind target, expands solar-carve out

The measure passed Monday by state legislators also allows waste-to-energy facilities to qualify for the renewable portfolio standard.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 22, 2019

100% clean electricity in Washington state: Achievable, affordable and reliable

The policy gained strong support in 2018, with strong stakeholder engagement setting up multiple checks and balances that will help decarbonize Washington’s electricity sector while maintaining low electricity prices.

By Adam Maxwell • April 10, 2019

DOE calls for large Puerto Rico gas plant as island targets 100% renewables

A gas generator 1.2 GW or larger would "greatly enhance" reliability and resilience, a senior agency official told lawmakers, but "could be at odds" with Puerto Rico's recently passed 100% renewables goal.

By Gavin Bade • April 9, 2019

Global energy demand sees biggest increase this decade, with gas the fuel of choice: IEA

The International Energy Agency's Global Energy and CO2 status report also found that renewables were the top means of meeting new electric power demand, though not enough to prevent a rise in global CO2 emissions.

By Robert Walton • April 9, 2019

Report: Los Angeles is top city for US solar use

After years of rapid growth, the U.S. now has enough solar to power one in 11 homes, according to Environment America.

By Jason Plautz • April 9, 2019

How to increase your competitiveness with adaptive system design

More players, both regional and national, are entering the solar market. While this is good for solar shoppers and the overall growth of the solar industry, installers might face tougher competition.

April 9, 2019