Alliant heading to 30% wind capacity in Iowa as regulators approve another 500 MW

The Iowa Utilities Board is allowing Alliant subsidiary Interstate Power and Light to earn an 11% return on equity on the new wind projects.

By Peter Maloney • April 19, 2018

New Hampshire governor's energy plan leans on nuclear, gas

The new plan by Gov. Sununu aims to diminish the cost impacts of renewable energy procurement by neighboring states, assuming those contracts will be above market rates.

By Peter Maloney • April 18, 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

DOE pledges $105M for solar, seeks to halve utility-scale costs

The agency will fund about 70 projects to advance both solar PV and concentrating solar thermal power, with the largest portion going toward solar integration technologies.

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2018

Exelon, FE nuke closures would reverse PJM wind, solar benefits: Brattle report

Closing four plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania would harm the environment and raise electricity costs for consumers, a recent analysis finds.

By Peter Maloney • April 17, 2018

The shifting winds of near-term renewable energy demand drivers

As project economics have grown more compelling in recent years – particularly in the case of wind in the middle of the country – corporate investment has increased.

By Mason Smith, Matt Mooren and Lili Gao • April 17, 2018

Portland General Electric proposes voluntary green tariff for munis, large customers

Mayors from six cities in the utility's service territory support the proposal, which would allow large energy users to purchase renewable power sourced directly from local facilities.

By Robert Walton • April 16, 2018

NGOs challenge New Orleans regulatory plan, Entergy peaker

The New Orleans City Council approved Entergy's proposed gas plant earlier this year, but environmental advocates say the City Council failed to examine "more benign" alternatives, like renewable energy. 

By Peter Maloney • April 16, 2018

New Jersey passes bills for nuke subsidies, 50% RPS, 2 GW storage target

Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is expected to sign the measures, but proposed reforms to PJM's capacity market make the nuclear subsides' impact on wholesale power prices unclear.

By Gavin Bade • April 13, 2018

DOE research, development and demonstration funding: Keep on growin'

The Trump Administration is proposing historic cuts in energy RD&D spending. Congress rejected similar cuts for FY 2018 and should do the same for FY 2019, ITIF's Colin Cunliff and David Hart write.

By Colin Cunliff and David Hart • April 13, 2018

Idaho regulators accept Rocky Mountain Power's planned shift from coal to renewables

RMP's plan calls for the retirement of 3.5 GW of coal generation to be replaced largely with solar and wind, and reflects the efforts of its parent company, PacifiCorp

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2018

Alaska governor rolls out draft climate plan, but falls short on details

The proposal calls for transitioning to renewable energy, and increasing residential, commercial and public energy efficiency as well as a carbon price.   

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2018

How much are tariffs holding solar back?

Solar is maturing into a least-cost, best-fit resource for utilities and customers while facing down challenges with plunging costs and new grid services.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 12, 2018

Alternative Energy Now Has Alternative Storage

Thermal Energy Storage: More flexibility & longer discharge for storing intermittent renewables.

April 12, 2018

South Carolina solar bill fails to pass after procedural change

State lawmakers changed legislative rules to require a two-thirds vote instead of a simple majority in order to pass the bill. 

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2018

Montana net metering customers are overpaid, new study says

The cost-benefit analysis pegs the value of solar energy sent back onto Northwestern Energy's grid at about $0.04/kWh, far less than net metering customers are paid.

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2018

Residential storage faces sunny prospects this year

Pairing storage with rooftop solar could boom if interest translates into action.

By Peter Maloney • April 10, 2018

Interior Department proposes offshore wind lease sale in Massachusetts

The two lease areas total almost 390,000 acres and signal the offshore wind industry is beginning to gain traction in the United States.

By Robert Walton • April 9, 2018

Solar bill advances in South Carolina; Maine bill fails to withstand LePage veto

In South Carolina, the House approved a bill to expand the solar market. In Maine, lawmakers in the House failed to override a veto from Gov. Paul LePage (R) of a pro-solar bill.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2018

Illinois regulators adopt ambitious renewables plan

The first two procurements for utility-scale wind and brownfield solar development are expected this summer.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2018

Report: Massachusetts offshore wind decision likely delayed after Northern Pass rejection

State regulators moved on to a new transmission project after Northern Pass failed to secure a permit from New Hampshire in time, but that decision likely delayed a separate decision on an offshore wind solicitation. 

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2018

Report: Los Angeles ranked No. 1 in US for solar energy use

The city regained the top spot from San Diego, with the pair followed in the rankings by Honolulu, Phoenix and San Jose, CA.

By Chris Teale • April 5, 2018

The two key questions about going to 100% renewables in Los Angeles

The city council wants its municipal utility to reach the clean energy goal, and a new report says it can by 2030 — if the utility can learn new ways.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 5, 2018

Northern California agency selects consortium for first US floating wind farm

The 100 MW to 150 MW project from EDF Renewables and Principle Energy would be located more than 20 miles off the coast of Eureka, Calif.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2018

APS funds research linking job losses to renewable energy ballot proposal

But the study has not been peer-reviewed, news outlets report, and assumes that the utility will leave its stake in the Palo Verde nuclear facility. 

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2018

Unnecessary complexity? Assessing New York and California's landmark DER proceedings

New York and California have spent years opening opportunities for distributed energy resources with minimal real impact. Could they have done it differently?

By Herman K. Trabish • April 4, 2018