Energy Department awards $40M to Lake Erie offshore wind Icebreaker project

Innovative offshore wind projects off New Jersey and Maine also get $40 million awards

By Herman K. Trabish • June 10, 2016

Boulder, Xcel Energy in talks to end city's municipal utility bid

A statement from the city hints the two parties are focused on better aligning their objectives, including giving Boulder, Colo., "a greater voice in investments" made to serve customers.

By Robert Walton • June 10, 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

Little less talk: With new revenue models, New York starts to put REV into action

The reforms to utility revenues in the Empire State could set the course for a new model of 21st century power providers.

By Gavin Bade • June 9, 2016

Hawaiian Electric files with state regulators to begin new pursuit of utility-scale renewables

Hawaii’s dominant electricity provider sets out on its quest for 100% renewables by 2045.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 9, 2016

Nevada officials to fund new rooftop solar study

Officials say solar prices have dropped significantly since the last analysis was completed in 2014.

By Robert Walton • June 9, 2016

Xcel Colorado rate plan draws ire of solar interests for higher fixed charges

The plan would lower volumetric rates and increase fixed charges, following a utility strategy that's played out across the nation.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 9, 2016

Vermont Gov. Shumlin vetoes controversial renewable energy siting bill

The bill was meant to give municipalities more say in siting energy projects, but last-minute restrictions on noise from wind installations triggered the veto. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 8, 2016

Fannie Mae offers low cost financing option for solar, energy efficiency

Couched as a mortgage option, this low cost financing could be a gamechanger for how solar and energy efficiency upgrades are marketed. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 8, 2016

As funding for California's SGIP process grows, regulators look to bolster energy storage

But proposed modifications could change how fuel cell and energy storage technologies compete in the process. 

By Peter Maloney • June 7, 2016

APS rate case sparks concern beyond mandatory demand charge proposal

Along with a rate structure overhaul, the Arizona utility also wants to cut net metering credits to its avoided cost rate.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 2016

ERCOT: Coal to drop below 10% of Texas fuel mix by 2030s as solar booms

Solar is expected to grow to about 17% of the capacity mix as EPA rules and market conditions force coal plants offline.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 2016

New Jersey startup seeks to be the 'Uber' of battery storage delivery

Power Edison, a New Jersey startup, is offering grid-scale lithium-ion batteries as a plug and play strategy for utilities looking to defer new plant investments.

By Peter Maloney • June 6, 2016

Interior announces offshore wind lease auction for ocean tract off Long Island

The site, 11 miles south of Long Island, is one of 12 Atlantic tracts deemed suitable for wind development by the federal government. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 6, 2016

Missouri munis contract for 200 MW of space on proposed Grain Belt Express line

The new off-takers may strengthen the merchant transmission developer’s appeal to state regulators, who denied it the power of eminent domain last year. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 6, 2016

Minnesota court upheld size limits for Xcel community solar

Co-located community solar projects on Xcel Energy's system will be limited to 5 MW or smaller, the court determined.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2016

New York Assembly approves climate bill to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions

The bill, which would require elimination of greenhouse gas pollution by 2050, now heads to the state Senate, where it faces longer odds and a tight timeframe.

By Gavin Bade • June 3, 2016

Minnesota utility to triple residential solar rebates, build first solar garden

The company is tripling the rebate dollars available under its SolarSense program, and state regulators approved the first community project on the utility's system.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2016

The corporate green team: Utilities partner to meet renewables demand from large US firms

The Edison Electric Institute has joined green groups in a partnership to market wind and solar to climate-savvy companies.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 2, 2016

Generators, clean energy advocates assail Massachusetts bill

Generators say the bill will tie up a chunk of the state's market. Environmentalists want to see less hydropower and more wind and solar. 

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2016

Montana PSC debates PURPA, growth of small solar facilities

The Montana Public Service Commission hosted a roundtable earlier this week to discuss how a spate of proposed solar facilities would be compensated under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2016

SolarCity launches new rooftop loan product to replace MyPower offering

The new loans will answer a customer demand for shorter terms and fixed payments, an executive said.

By Gavin Bade, Herman Trabish • June 2, 2016

Texas regulators delay El Paso Electric request for rate increase, solar surcharge

Texas regulators told El Paso Electric to re-issue their rate increase request, delaying a final decision on their rate case. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 2, 2016

AEP to spend $15B to build 8 GW of wind, solar

The coal-heavy utility said it plans to nearly triple its renewable energy portfolio in the next two decades and add 3,000 MW of gas-fired generation. 

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2016

Statoil to add battery storage to a Scottish floating wind project

Norwegian oil company Statoil plans to add 1 MWh battery storage to a floating wind farm off the Scottish coast.

By Peter Maloney • June 1, 2016

The head of California's ISO is on a mission to regionalize and decarbonize

CAISO CEO Steve Berberich wants help from utilities in bridging California’s borders and moving beyond 50% renewables.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2016