N.J. sets 'aggressive' 2 GW storage target by 2030

Part of a broader recently-enacted law, the policy makes New Jersey the fifth state to set an energy storage goal.

By Peter Maloney • May 29, 2018

State regulators approve Westar, Great Plains Energy $15B merger

Kansas and Missouri regulators approved the deal after the companies removed a $4.9 billion acquisition premium that Great Plains proposed to pay for Westar.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2018

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

South Carolina regulators reject rehearing for controversial SCE&G solar rates

The utility's most recent avoided cost calculations lower the rates paid to PURPA projects to $0/kW-year.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2018

Minnesota overhauls interconnection standards to streamline clean energy

The standards are the great equalizer in clean energy markets, and remain a key building block to support a strong foundation for continued clean energy growth, writes IREC Counsel Sky Stanfield.

By Sky Stanfield • May 25, 2018

Renewables boom is a bust for gas equipment suppliers like GE

If renewables fill the gap left by a wave of power plant retirements, gas turbine suppliers who expected strong growth could suffer. 

By Peter Maloney • May 24, 2018

Pittsburgh sets goal of 50% energy reduction in revised climate plan

Behind local leadership and strong public support, the plan also calls for the city to turn its operations to 100% renewable energy and to adopt a 100% fossil fuel-free vehicle fleet. 

By Jason Plautz • May 24, 2018

Does 112% growth in 2017 mean community solar has finally solved its complexity problem?

Growth doubled from 2016 to 2017 and is accelerating this year, with successful policies and best practices emerging.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 24, 2018

Southern Co. unit to sell 33% of solar assets for $1.2B

Executives are exploring third-party equity financing for much of the subsidiary's wind portfolio.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 24, 2018

New Jersey Gov. Murphy signs bills creating zero emission credits for nuclear

The plan is to move the state toward 100% clean energy with nuclear power as an essential part of the mix.

By Peter Maloney • May 24, 2018

PJM loses a quarter of its nuke capacity in latest power auction

Cleared nuclear capacity fell by more than 7 GW from PJM's last base residual auction, while demand response, renewables, gas and coal all saw their shares expand. 

By Gavin Bade • May 23, 2018

New Mass., R.I. projects to add 1.2 GW US offshore wind capacity

While some question the economics of offshore wind, several states have made multi-gigawatt commitments to deploying more of the renewable resource.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 23, 2018

Invenergy widens capital base with investments in its gas, renewables arms

The latest equity infusions from Canadian and Australian fund managers are expected to consolidate its investor base, enhance the company’s financial position and fund development activities.

By Peter Maloney • May 23, 2018

13 projects from the leading edge of the utility transformation

One nonprofit's invite-only policy forums provide utility stakeholders a "safe space" to work out contentious proceedings and advance ambitious projects.

By Gavin Bade • May 23, 2018

Trump Administration advances 500 MW solar project

The Bureau of Land Management has completed its environmental assessment of the Palen project, which would be among the largest solar generating facilities in the country.

By Larry Pearl • May 23, 2018

Getting paid to charge a battery is an attractive but limited opportunity, analysts say

While Tesla's Australian energy storage facility apparently made a windfall from negative prices, analysts say such prices are too rare to be reliable. 

By Peter Maloney • May 22, 2018

RMI says rush to build gas plants could cost investors, customers billions

With thermal generators quickly aging, researchers at Rocky Mountain Institute say a clean energy portfolio can address U.S. power needs more cheaply than gas-fired plants.

By Robert Walton • May 22, 2018

DTE, Consumers pledge 50% clean energy, heading off ballot initiative

The Michigan utilities expect to reach most of the 2030 goal through efficiency initiatives, but at least 25% of the result will come from renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2018

Wind power poised for record year, despite initial tax law concerns

Clarity on tax policy and countdown to expiration of the production tax credit are combining to drive a significant increase in the U.S. wind power project pipeline.

By Peter Maloney • May 21, 2018

Federal government halts linework on Puerto Rico's grid

FEMA has ended the restoration portion of its mission to repair Puerto Rico's grid two weeks ahead of the official start of hurricane season.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2018

California utilities, solar developers advocate dialogue on new solar mandate

The state's public utilities commission will reconsider net metering tariffs in the next two years.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 20, 2018

Hawaii Electric improvising with microgrids as lava stalls resiliency efforts

The utility operator on Hawaii's big island is "handling the situation as well as anyone could," according to the state's PUC.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 18, 2018

Public power utilities face growing risk from renewables shift, says Moody's

Credit risks for utilities with a higher share of coal power in their generating mix, such as municipal utilities, center on the potential for stranded assets.

By Peter Maloney • May 18, 2018

California regulators see signs of a new energy crisis — can they prevent it?

As the state's customer choice movement expands, energy sector stakeholders continue to struggle with what CPUC President Michael Picker calls "scar tissue" from the 2000-2001 energy crisis.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 18, 2018

Illinois can do without Vistra coal plants, greens claim

Shutting eight plants in Southern Illinois and replacing them with other options could save up to $14 billion, says a new report by Vibrant Clean Energy for NRDC and Sierra Club.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2018

FERC chair restarts PURPA review, pledging 'open mind'

Federal energy regulators also approved a new pipeline proposal and reviewed summer reliability conditions at their May open meeting.

By Gavin Bade • May 17, 2018