The new offshore wind playbook: Inside the feds' plan to spur 86 GW by 2050

Rapidly declining costs and proximity to load centers are expected to help make offshore wind a major resource in the next decades. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 6, 2016

New Jersey lawmakers push bill to revamp solar program

Already approved in the state's Senate, the New Jersey House is considering a bill that would accelerate solar deployment. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 6, 2016

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

For utilities hoping to unlock smart grid opportunities, data is the key

Consumers are interested in smart-grid technologies, but they have reservations as well, a new report says. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2016

Supporters of Florida's solar ballot initiative ramp up advertising dollars

A utility-backed group spent over $760K on advertising in a single week this month.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2016

Massachusetts regulators curb National Grid's fixed fee hike

Regulators allowed only small fee increases, saying the utility did not prove a cost shift from solar customers.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2016

All hands on deck: Growing energy storage in Massachusetts needs holistic overview of grid, markets

The Department of Energy Resources wants ISO-NE to create a working group to advance storage integration. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2016

Massachusetts medical facilities net $14M in microgrid resiliency grants

First developed in 2014, the $40 million pool of money is set aside to develop community clean energy resiliency projects in the state. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2016

How market forces are pushing utilities to operate nuclear plants more flexibly

Nuclear plants in Europe follow load; can U.S. plants follow suit?

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2016

The flaws in the utilities' push for residential demand charges

Time-based rates offer far better incentives, argue James Tong and Jon Wellinghoff in this guest post.

By James Tong, Jon Wellinghoff • Oct. 3, 2016

Power sector politics: 5 state energy races to watch this November

Solar incentives and consumer choice dominate down-ballot energy races this cycle. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2016

Nevada task force recommends restoring net metering as PUC welcomes 2 new regulators

Part of a raft of reforms pushed by Gov. Sandoval's New Energy Task Force, the recommendation came just days before two new gubernatorial appointees started work at the state regulatory commission.

By Peter Maloney, Gavin Bade • Oct. 3, 2016

Report: Hydropower reservoirs contributing to carbon emissions

A new study finds greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydro reservoirs are greater than previously thought.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2016

PNM vows Supreme Court appeal after regulators slash proposed rate hike in half

Public Service of New Mexico wanted a $121 million rate increase, but regulators granted it $61 million.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 30, 2016

SolarCity, Citi map out $347M financing plan for solar projects

The funds include more than $60 million for small and medium-sized businesses in California.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2016

FERC approves CAISO ramping product, rejecting calls to make it biddable

The product is designed to help CAISO with more renewable resources and the uncertainty they cause in electricity markets. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 30, 2016

NRG breaks ground on 5 Minnesota community solar projects

The power company has also reached agreements with several national businesses for the projects' output.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2016

Midwest independent power producer buys 475 MW of wind projects

Despite a heavy focus on gas, Tenaska is rounding out its renewable energy portfolio as costs decline. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2016

DOE: Plummeting clean energy costs accelerating renewable 'revolution'

 According to a new report, wind and solar PV accounted for over two thirds of all new generating capacity installed last year.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2016

The solar toolbox: How utilities can find the best planning approach for distributed solar

Studying locational benefits of distributed solar is one way to plan, a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study says. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 29, 2016

To speak softly: Why Sunrun's new policy head could signal a shift in solar advocacy

Former Maryland Commissioner Anne Hoskins outlines her approach to utility-solar regulation.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 29, 2016

California PUC rejects rehearing on revised net metering policy

California regulators cited insufficient evidence of cross-shifting costs as a big factor in their decision to deny a rehearing. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 29, 2016

Following New York's lead, Maryland targets electric distribution transformation

Utility regulators plan to zero in on renewables and electric vehicle integration, rate design and affordability.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2016

Arizona air regulators slap Solana solar facility with $1.5M fine

Arizona Solar One LLC has agreed to pay a fine to resolve emissions violations at the Solana Generating Station in Gila Bend.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2016

In wake of Tesla bid, SolarCity plots $1B investment in Mexico operations

The largest installer in the U.S. outlined a 5-year investment plan in Mexico, but it hinges on familiar net metering debates. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2016

Massachusetts floats new solar tariff structure in incentive program redesign

The new program would replace current incentives with tariffs designed to reduce risk and provide more predictable revenue streams for developers.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 28, 2016