Reporter's notebook: How conflict and collaboration shape utility policy in the age of renewables

Utility Dive's Herman K. Trabish reflects on a decade of debates between utilities and renewable energy advocates, finding some of the most productive work comes outside official regulatory proceedings. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 15, 2016

DOE announces another $107M in solar funding under SunShot Initiative

SunShot's goal is to help the solar industry push unsubsidized costs down to $0.06/kWh by 2020.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 15, 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

Nevada court overturns fixed charges, lower net metering rates for existing solar customers

The court upheld the new rates and charges for future solar customers, however, accepting NV Energy's assertion of a solar cost shift.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 15, 2016

DOI finalizes Phase 1 for California desert renewable energy development plan

The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan seeks to set aside 10.8 million acres for renewable energy development and conservation. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 15, 2016

Maine PUC proposes phasing out rooftop solar incentives

Homeowners with panels already installed, however, would be grandfathered into original net metering rates for 15 years.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2016

NV Energy strikes solar grandfathering deal with SolarCity, regulatory staff

NV Energy has filed a proposal with state regulators that would allow customers who installed rooftop solar on or before Dec. 31, 2015 to access retail rate net metering.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 14, 2016

Expert survey: Wind power costs could fall 40% by 2050

Analysis of a survey published in Nature shows global wind energy experts anticipate cost to drop by up to 41% by 2050.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2016

NRG wins SunEdison's renewables portfolio with $144M bid

After an auction for SunEdison's renewable energy project portfolio, NRG Energy is walking away with 2,100 MW of development-stage wind and solar capacity. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 13, 2016

Growing pains: Hawaii solar sector howls as grid-supply incentives hit caps

Hawaii's grid-supply tariff has already hit its caps, and the self-supply option is cost-prohibitive for most residents. The resulting installation slowdown could set up a new fight at the PUC.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 13, 2016

Duke plans energy storage expansion for South Carolina hydro plant

The proposal follows a renewed focus on hydroelectricity, as the United States transitions to more renewable power. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2016

DOE, DOI: New US offshore wind strategy could create 86 GW market by 2050

The Departments of Energy and the Interior chose the completion of the first U.S. offshore wind facility to release a new governmental strategy document for the industry.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 13, 2016

Oregon audit scrutinizes state DOE's management of 79 renewable energy projects

A report released last week could ultimately lead to a revamping of Oregon's Department of Energy.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2016

Report: Nearly half of US states use carbon-free generation as a top 3 resource

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show wind, solar and geothermal energy sources have become mainstream. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2016

Rhode Island lawmakers push FERC to integrate state climate policies into regional pricing

Four lawmakers have sent a letter to federal regulators calling for development of energy market price formulations that include shadow carbon pricing.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2016

Solar Power Players: SEPA honorees look beyond the rooftop to manage dynamic grids

Distributed solar is just the first challenge coming to the grid edge. These utilities are tackling what's next.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 12, 2016

Hawaiian Electric rolls out DR program to integrate more renewables

Pending regulatory approval, the programs could be implemented as early as next year. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2016

Hydro, biofuels industries press for tax credit renewal

Solar and wind may tax credits have been extended for several more years, but fuels like biogas and hydropower will see their incentives run out at the end of this year.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2016

Newly-released text messages draw scrutiny to APS relationship with AZ consumer advocate

Text messages show a consultant for the Residential Utility Consumer Office collaborating with a utility executive to shape the state's Value of Solar docket, but they say it's all part of the job. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 9, 2016

Xcel Energy reaches settlement on 600 MW Colorado wind farm

The agreement also allows Xcel to pursue an earlier construction schedule for the proposed Pawnee-Daniel Park Transmission Project pending regulatory approval. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2016

Solar advocates ramp up pressure on Florida ballot initiative

A broad group of clean energy advocates has launched a coordinated campaign to oppose a utility-backed solar ballot initiative this November.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2016

As solar price drops, utility interest spurs growth in non-traditional markets

Solar markets outside the U.S. Southwest are picking up steam thanks to steady price declines across all segments, new reports from LBNL found. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 8, 2016

Electricity choice on the chopping block in Michigan as state debates reliability, renewables

Clean energy and efficiency could be the key to unlocking a bitter dispute over reliability and choice in the Great Lakes State. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 8, 2016

Sunrun appoints ex-Maryland regulator Hoskins as Chief Policy Officer

Anne Hoskins, a former Maryland Public Service Commissioner, will become Sunrun's policy head following the departure of Bryan Miller. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 7, 2016

Solar developer protests community solar size in Colorado Xcel settlement

SunShare, a developer of community solar gardens, wants the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to reconsider a settlement it says gives Xcel Energy an unfair leg up in the solar market. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2016

Uncle Sam's battery bank: ARPA-E spurs commercialization of innovative storage technology

The DOE is touting the success of its ARPA-E program for funding advanced technologies: $1.3 billion funded; $1.2 billion raised from private sources.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 7, 2016