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

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

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

Energy storage good option for frequency response, group says

The technology could find expanded uses if federal regulators agree with the Energy Storage Association.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 3, 2017

Portland General Electric joins California power trading market

The move makes PGE the fifth non-California utility to participate in the western Energy Imbalance Market. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 3, 2017

California solar farm inks deal with farm district for cheap solar

The Modesto Irrigation District approved a $131 million, 20-year contract with a solar farm to provide 2.5 million MWh of electricity — or $34/MWh. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 3, 2017

New tariff proposals put solar in 'a land of complete uncertainty' ahead of ITC hearing

The fight over solar imports enters its next round as the ITC prepares to deliver recommendations to the president to address harm to U.S. manufacturers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 3, 2017

FERC seeks fast track on DOE baseload compensation proposal

Comments on the controversial DOE rulemaking will be due Oct. 23, FERC announced Monday, as 11 industry groups pressed for extended consideration. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 2, 2017

Sonnen pledges to build microgrids in Puerto Rico

The announcement comes as rival battery provider Tesla says it will deliver "hundreds" of its residential battery systems to the island in the coming weeks. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 2, 2017

DOE rulemaking threatens to destroy wholesale markets with no tangible benefit

Newly proposed cost recovery for fuel-secure generators would spike power costs and emissions with little upside for consumers, Energy Innovation analysts argue.

By Robbie Orvis, Mike O'Boyle • Oct. 2, 2017

Silverstein: If I'd written the DOE grid study recommendations

Alison Silverstein, who drafted the technical portions of the DOE grid study, says its summary and recommendations missed key points on grid reliability and resilience.

By Alison Silverstein • Oct. 2, 2017

Tesla pledges 'hundreds' of Powerwall battery packs for Puerto Rico

Only 5% of the U.S. territory's grid is working right now, The New York Times reports, and it could take up to six months to fully restore power. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 2, 2017

Suniva, SolarWorld revise tariff, floor price proposals ahead of ITC remedy hearing

The petitioners proposed declining tariffs on solar modules and cells in addition to a declining floor price of $0.74/watt for solar modules.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 2, 2017

Report charts a path for more corporate purchases of utility-scale solar power

To get companies to buy more solar, the report says utilities should consider working with stakeholders to develop purchasing options in areas where solar is most cost-competitive.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 2, 2017

Tampa Electric agreement calls for 600 MW of new solar power by 2021

The projects stem from an agreement reached with consumer groups and will significantly boost the utility's 27 MW of current solar capacity.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 29, 2017

Why it's time to fully embrace America's energy grid diversification

U.S. regulators should help drive more distributed resources into the grid, ICF's Philip Mihlmester writes, recommending how they can do so to the benefit of energy consumers and utilities.

By Philip Mihlmester • Sept. 29, 2017