Mass. Sen. Markey to push extension of 30% ITC for offshore wind to 2025

Long lead times for offshore wind facilities means many developers can't take advantage before current incentives phase out in the early 2020s. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2016

Oregon bill to curb coal use, set 50% renewables mandate heads to Senate after House passage

After an earlier version of the bill was caught up in weeks of partisan wrangling, backers say they expect a quick passage in the Senate before the end of the week.  

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 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

NJ Senate committee passes bill for 80% renewable energy standard

A nearly identical bill passed the full New Jersey Senate last year, but failed to come to a vote in the lower house.

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2016

The sector favorite: Storage tops utility tech picks for second year running

Utility Dive's third annual survey of electric utility professionals shows even greater interest in energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • March 1, 2016

France's EDF will offer solar+storage product via US-based subsidiary

The giant French utility announced plans to enter the residential solar and storage market in an ribbon-cutting for a utility-scale battery project in the PJM region.

By Peter Maloney • March 1, 2016

Wind on track to top hydro as the leading U.S. renewable after 2017

Fueled by the PTC extension, wind growth barrels ahead as hydro expansion remains more modest.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2016

'Only a matter of time': U.S. offshore wind struggles to get off the ground

The U.S. offshore wind industry still lags far behind Europe and China but it has its first steel in the water and sees growth in its future.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2016

Consistent change: How utility professionals view the evolving power mix

The new resource mix will meet federal regulations and state mandates with wind and solar supported by natural gas and DERs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 29, 2016

Montana-Dakota Utilities drops demand charge push after deal with solar advocates

Under deals struck with solar advocates and consumer groups, MDU rates would go up about 13% but there will be no solar-specific demand charge.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 29, 2016

Nevada utility backs legal challenge to solar ballot initiative to restore retail net metering

Following the state's decision to lower the rate paid to solar customers, applications to connect new systems are down more than 90%.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 29, 2016

Hawaiian Electric gears up to test EV charging station with storage

Hawaiian Electric is testing a fast charging EV station that incorporates energy storge.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 26, 2016

Nevada PUC greenlights Las Vegas, NV Energy partnership in plan to go 100% renewable energy

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman said most people are surprised to find out how sustainable the city is, especially compared with its Epicurean image.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 26, 2016

SolarCity rolls out storage, smart tech system for Hawaii's self-supply option

SolarCity's new product offers “demand flexibility" and could give solar owners ability to consume 90% of their generation.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 26, 2016

HECO cancels 3 solar contracts with SunEdison

Hawaiian Electric Companies move to cancel three SunEdison contracts put the solar developer's $336 million debt restructuring deal in doubt, and sparked the ire of Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission Chair Randy Iwase. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

How utilities and their regulators will determine the future of solar

Rate design holds the key to whether there are more than 40 states with solar at grid parity in 2020, or just two, according to a new report.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

Maine utilities, solar advocates back new bill to replace net metering, grow solar

Under the new bill, utilities would act as "standard buyers" for solar of all types, aggregating multiple generation facilities and bidding them into electricity markets. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

Compromise in Mississippi partially restores state regulators authority over co-ops

The amended legislation still allows cooperatives to set net metering rates and design efficiency programs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

Wind energy broke records across central US in late February

Grid operators for ERCOT, MISO, and SPP are all handling wind penetrations that top 40%. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

Sunvault-Edison Power solar+storage project in Delaware could use graphene technology

A small solar + storge project in Delaware is vying to be one of the first to incorporate graphene storage technology.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 25, 2016

New York regulators chart course to reach 50% renewables by 2030

Last year New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) directed the state to source half its power from renewable energy by 2030, and now staff of the Public Service Commission have issued a white paper laying out a plan.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2016

Washington state solar incentive bill set for Senate hearing after House passage

The bill would extend the state's solar incentives until 2021 and boost the size of the program.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 24, 2016

Maryland regulators provide initial guidance on rules for community shared solar

Under the proposed rules, community solar subscribers would earn retail rate credit on their utility bills for power generated by their portion of a central station array. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 24, 2016

Geothermal energy bill waits for New Mexico governor's sign off

New Mexico lawmakers have passed a measure designed to boost and shift authority over geothermal resources to the New Mexico Energy Conservation and Management Division.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 23, 2016

Cheapest power in the US? Palo Alto muni eyes solar at under $37/MWh

Representatives from the municipal utility say the proposed PPA would be the lowest price ever for electricity in California, and possibly the nation.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 23, 2016

Partnering for success: Utilities leverage innovative vendor relationships at the grid edge

From smart meters to distribution automation and residential storage, opportunities abound for utilities bold enough to reach out to innovative third parties. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 23, 2016