Transmission developers power forward in West as move to single market inches along

New lines are moving ahead and new deals are being closed, despite political pushback against California’s plan for a new regional market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 12, 2017

Updated: First Solar wades into solar trade case fight, supports Suniva, SolarWorld

The thin-film developer would benefit from tariffs, and is a member of the Solar Energy Industries Association, which opposes the remedies. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 11, 2017

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

Pruitt's move to repeal CPP sets up prolonged battle over carbon regulations

Critics say it could be years before EPA head Scott Pruitt replaces the Clean Power Plan, effectively halting any efforts to regulate carbon emissions. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 11, 2017

25% of remaining US coal fleet headed for retirement or conversion, new report says

Another 17% of the remaining coal fleet is uneconomic, according to a new Union of Concerned Scientists report.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 11, 2017

A bipartisan view on modernizing the US electric grid

Congress must incentivize power industry innovations yielding cleaner and more customized energy services, the Republican and Democratic co-chairs of the Grid Innovation Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives write.

By Robert E. Latta, Jerry McNerney • Oct. 11, 2017

The future of regulated electric utilities is tied to EV charging

The rise of EVs has created a significant opportunity for utilities to become a catalyst of socially beneficial technology.  

By Jonathan Jacobs and Alex Pischalnikov • Oct. 10, 2017

Hawaiian Electric takes first steps to utility-scale commercial energy storage

The utility has big plans for the technology, but wants to see lower costs. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2017

Montana PSC extends energy, PURPA contracts to 15 years

The ruling applies to all energy contracts, not just PURPA, though some regulators expressed qualms over extending the contract length. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2017

Pruitt axes Clean Power Plan, asks industry to shape replacement

Despite the repeal, energy analysts say the power sector is largely on track to meet the targets of the Obama-era climate regulations thanks to cheap gas and renewables. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 10, 2017

Rocky Mountain Power solar settlement approved by Utah regulators

Earlier this year, solar advocates negotiated a net metering settlement with the PacifiCorp subsidiary. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 10, 2017

Why utilities need to respond now to the EV boom

Utilities can either embrace electric vehicle growth or be caught "flat-footed" when new power demand materializes, an RMI report warns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 9, 2017

Hurricane Nate takes out power to 60K in Southeast

The Category 1 storm made landfall twice in the northern part of the Gulf Coast, slamming Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, and leaving more than 100,000 in the dark at its peak. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 9, 2017

Massachusetts starts inquiry into energy storage eligibility for net metering

Regulators will also examine the qualification of net metering facilities to bid into ISO-New England’s forward capacity market. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 9, 2017

Updated: Illinois Power Agency seeks comments on new procurement rules

IPA is seeking comment on revisions to net metering policies, a new rebate for smart inverters for photovoltaic projects and new compliance obligations for Alternative Retail Electric Suppliers.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2017

Puente gas plant should not be approved, California energy committee says

A California Energy Commission committee said the proposed NRG Energy project would spark "significant unmitigated environmental effects" and fail to align with several policies and laws. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 6, 2017

Elon Musk says Tesla can help rebuild Puerto Rico's grid. Governor says 'let's talk.'

Elon Musk issued another Twitter challenge saying his company could rebuild the island's decimated grid with solar-plus-storage systems. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 6, 2017

BLM mining proposal clouds future of federal renewables development in California

BLM says the Interior Department should cancel the withdrawal of about 1.3 million acres of federal lands from new mining contracts in Southern California.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 6, 2017

Harvard survey: Only one-third of businesses have developed resiliency plans

If city leaders want businesses to get on board with resiliency and sustainability plans, they should target their concerns: costs and continuity of operations.

By Cody Boteler • Oct. 5, 2017

Massachusetts net metering cap stifled $78M of solar projects, SEIA says

At least 124 projects with a total capacity of 51.2 MW are on hold as the solar trade group urges lawmakers to act.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 5, 2017

Utility success with corporate renewables demand raises questions for existing load

New utility green tariffs give new customers renewables options, but existing demand could mean stranded assets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 5, 2017

Performance-based regulation: Aligning utility incentives with policy objectives and customer benefits

AEE's Benjamin Stafford and Liza Frantzis lay out strategies for utilities and regulators to achieve performance-based regulation. 

By Benjamin Stafford, Lisa Frantzis • Oct. 5, 2017

Western states push to expand EV charging network

The electric vehicle corridor will knit together 5,000 miles of freeways and 11 interstates across seven Western states. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 5, 2017

California grid operator urges less fossil-fuel use in new report

The decline of gas-fired generation, decentralizing electrical service and regional coordination are among the eight trends identified by CAISO.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 5, 2017

A trio of storms could mean grid modernization in hard-hit areas

Florida, Puerto Rico and Texas all have an opportunity to reassess their power system.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2017

ITC seeks more details as solar sector battles over remedies in trade case hearing

More than 50 stakeholders crowded the ITC's hearing room to debate the merits of proposed tariffs as well as a quota and floor price in a nine-hour hearing Tuesday. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 4, 2017