12 charts that show the state of the US clean energy revolution

A new DOE report highlights deployment and price trends for five key technologies in the clean energy revolution.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 24, 2015

Michigan energy proposals will 'kill choice,' limit renewable investments, opponents say

Michigan is considering two pieces of energy billed as "compromises," but advocates for retail choice and renewables say they will do little to advance their causes.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 24, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Portland General Electric joins CAISO energy imbalance market

The regional balancing authority headed by California’s grid operator will now span eight states.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 24, 2015

Despite green outcry, CPUC approves SoCal Edison gas & storage plans

The California Public Utilities Commission approves 57 of 63 of controversial SoCal Ed procurement contracts, but sees room for improvment in the "all-source RFO process."

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 24, 2015

New York Gov. Cuomo orders 50% renewables in bid to save 2 nuke plants

New York has a goal of reaching 50% renewables, but sources told the New York Times that Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) will direct state regulators to make that goal a mandate in an effort to stave off the closure of two nuclear plants.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 24, 2015

Kauai co-op files plans for community shared renewables with Hawaii regulators

The plan calls for up to 3 MW of shared renewables currently priced from $0.101/kWh to $0.145/kWh.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 23, 2015

Montana utility withdraws bid for residential demand charge for DER customers

Montana Dakota Utilities withdrew its residential demand charge request, but still wants higher fixed charges and a boost in volumetric rates. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 23, 2015

The top 5 trends in distributed energy policy and rate design

From coast to coast, regulators are focused on net metering and rate design considering distributed resources, but analysts warn that such issues are "just the tip of the iceberg." 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 23, 2015

100 MW of Mass. commerical solar at risk from failure to reach net metering compromise

The Massachusetts legislature lack of compromise on the state's net metering cap for commercial solar installations means such projects will likely take a hit, but residential solar still expected to flourish. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2015

Major solar installer advocates expiration of solar investment tax credit

The extension of the 30% federal tax credit is not needed for the continued health of the industry, Sunnova's CEO wrote to congressional leaders this week.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 20, 2015

Wisconsin utility rolls out plan for 30% renewables by 2030

The Wisconsin-based Madison Gas and Electric Co. plans to supply 30% of its retail power sales with renewable energy by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2015

The future of rate design: Why the utility industry may shift away from fixed charges

A focus on fixed charges is giving way to more comprehensive rate structures for utilities, but big questions loom on the horizon for regulators. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 2015

How solar will grow through the ITC sunset and beyond

The ITC reversion is expected to deliver the first year-over-year downturn in the U.S. solar market, but brighter days will follow for the industry, according to a new GTM report.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 19, 2015

Split in Mass. legislature leaves net metering cap, solar industry in limbo

Both branches of the state legislature failed to reach a compromise Wednesday night on lifting the state's solar cap, leaving it in the hands of a joint committee.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 18, 2015

MidAmerican to test concrete wind turbine tower claimed to be nation's tallest

Concrete towers can allow turbines to reach higher, accessing stronger winds and making wind viable in new regions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 18, 2015

Despite record low solar prices, study says Austin Energy should build a new gas plant

A Navigant study assessing Austin Energy's need for new generation found a $500 million gas-fired facility makes the most economic sense even as the city forges ahead with 55% renewables goal. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2015

WGL plots $200M, 150 MW distributed solar investment in 2016

"The future of energy requires the integration of renewable resources," said WGL Energy President Sanjiv Maha.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2015

Eversource, National Grid gas-reliant RFPs run afoul of state rules, greens say

Acadia Center and a group of clean energy developers want the utilities to redraft a request for proposals centered on natural gas storage and transportation.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2015

Time-of-use rates can shape customer usage, cut pollution and costs, experts agree

Retail electricity rates tied to hourly wholesale power market costs could shape consumer usage, executives told Platts last week.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

Sierra Club's Ameren shareholder resolution seeks 30% renewables by 2030

The environmental advocacy group had shares donated to it from a deceased member, and is using them to attempt to push the utility toward cleaner generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

Remote Alaskan town turns to cold-weather battery microgrid as diesel alternative

The system, designed specifically for cold temperatures, will be used to reduce dependence on dirty generation and combat high electrical and fuel transportation costs. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 17, 2015

Rocky Mtn Power will compare cost to serve solar customers before fixed charge decision

Utah regulators want more information on the costs and benefits of distributed generation before a decision on fixed charges. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 16, 2015

Why clean energy advocates are challenging SCE's historic storage buy

Southern California Edison's award for new capacity resources has drawn criticism from intervenors who think it relies too much on gas and not enough on alternative resources. 

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2015

Dong Energy proposes world's largest offshore wind farm off Massachusetts coast

The project proposed by the Danish developer may have a capacity as large as 1,000 MW, which would make it the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

Ivanpah CSP project burns enough natural gas to qualify for CA cap-and-trade program

The giant CSP array still qualifies as renewable energy, but must cap and trade the natural gas emissions that come from an adjacent generator used to smooth the variable generation's grid integration.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015