NextEra Energy strikes $1.27B deal to sell Canadian renewables assets

Selling the 400 MW of wind and solar located in Ontario, will allow NextEra to "recycle" capital back into the U.S. to take advantage of the lower corporate tax rate.

By Robert Walton • April 2, 2018

Market-based IRPs: A new paradigm for grid planning?

Instead of forecasts, utilities like Hawaiian Electric and Xcel are beginning to use real-world prices in their integrated resource plans, allowing them to better compare renewables and DERs to traditional grid investments. 

By Gavin Bade • April 2, 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

DTE Energy plans to double renewable energy capacity in Michigan

But the utility remains opposed to a ballot proposal to increase the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard to 30% by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • April 2, 2018

EDF to invest nearly $10B in energy storage by 2035

The French utility giant is targeting the residential sector in France and Europe with a variety of self-consumption services that use batteries.

By Peter Maloney • March 29, 2018

Solar Foundation reports slight jobs dip for 2017

The decline is indicative of a sector that was in limbo as the industry waited for President Trump to issue a final decision on solar tariffs. 

By Deborah Barrington • March 28, 2018

Utah governor signs pair of solar bills

The two measures extend a $1,600 tax credit for residential installations and require solar companies to provide disclosure forms for purchase agreements to consumers. 

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2018

APS, Arizona lawmakers craft alternative renewables ballot proposal

The proposal would set a 50% renewables goal similar to the one backed by climate activist Tom Steyer, but gives regulators leeway to set aside the target. 

By Robert Walton • March 27, 2018

Proposed Texas rule highlights storage's challenges in bridging competitive, regulated energy markets

Energy storage’s unique characteristics make it a difficult fit on the regulated side of Texas’ power market.

By Peter Maloney • March 27, 2018

Connecticut legislature poised to act as community solar collides with net metering

Connecticut’s utilities object to a new community solar policy while its advocates say proposed utility changes to net metering are unacceptable.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 27, 2018

PG&E's local clean energy plan gets regulatory nod

Local clean energy resources will be used, allowing an older fossil fuel-based plant to retire. The utility estimates the market solicitation could result in 20 MW to 45 MW of clean energy resources.

By Robert Walton • March 26, 2018

Update: Arizona Gov. Ducey signs bill to undermine RPS ballot proposal

The measure will minimize financial penalties for utilities that fail to meet renewable energy targets, muting a ballot proposal pushing 50% renewable energy by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2018

Microsoft inks largest corporate solar PPA for 315 MW project in Virginia

The company said the purchase would advance its goal of reaching 60% renewable energy for its data centers by early 2020.

By Peter Maloney • March 23, 2018

Energy groups see $1.3 trillion omnibus as repudiation of Trump priorities

The budget bill, approved by the House and Senate on Thursday, would boost clean energy funding at DOE and increase appropriations for co-ops to expand rural broadband service.

By Gavin Bade • March 23, 2018

Xcel Energy's $1.6B wind plan advances with New Mexico approval

The utility's plan include investing in more than 1 GW of wind energy through three projects, with two near the Texas border. Texas regulatory approval could come in the next few weeks. 

By Robert Walton • March 22, 2018

180 US mayors call for use of solar energy in updated letter

Environment America is working with signatories to put "real action on solar energy," starting with a co-hosted webinar.

By Kristin Musulin • March 22, 2018

On the duck's 10th birthday, here's how to keep it from eating the power system

Before anybody saw how fast solar would grow, researchers described what it would do to the grid and started working on solutions now being implemented.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 22, 2018

Omnibus spending bill rejects Trump EPA, DOE cuts

EPA spending would remain stable under a Congressional budget bill released Wednesday night, while DOE clean energy funding would increase by nearly $1.5 billion.

By Gavin Bade • March 22, 2018

Wind and solar costs continue to drop below fossil fuels. What barriers remain for a low-carbon grid?

Energy Innovation's Michael O'Boyle and Silvio Marcacci outline the barriers to high-penetration wind and solar in the least-cost era.

By Michael O'Boyle, Silvio Marcacci • March 21, 2018

New Hampshire Senate votes to expand net metering eligibility

State regulators last year approved new net metering tariffs; now, lawmakers are considering allowing larger generators to participate.

By Robert Walton • March 20, 2018

California's dream of a regional power market faces the risks of a Trump FERC

California's proposed regional electricity market could could generate up to $1.5 billion in annual benefits and reduce GHG emissions up to 10%, but it could be subverted.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 20, 2018

Arizona rooftop solar leases exempt from property tax, court rules

However, the decision could enable lower courts to rule that rooftop solar owners would have to pay those taxes on a county-wide scale instead.

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 19, 2018

Maryland lawmakers reject RPS expansion, clean energy proposals

One proposal would have expanded the state's Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard to 50% by 2030, a target on par with California. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 19, 2018

In the New South, customer demand is showing utilities the dollars and sense in solar

With load flat to declining, utilities in the Southeast are investing in almost no new generation but can't resist customer demand for renewables and the new solar economics.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 15, 2018

Arizona regulators move to place gas plant moratorium on utilities

The Arizona Corporation Commission approved a 9-month moratorium on new gas plants 150 MW or larger, directing utilities to examine renewable energy and storage instead.

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2018

FERC tries to thread the needle in debate over markets versus mandates

Is FERC destroying markets in order to save them, Montana Public Service Commission Vice Chairman Travis Kavulla asks.

By Travis Kavulla • March 13, 2018