Obama touts clean energy growth, promises fossil fuel extraction reform in State of the Union

The president took on climate change doubters in his final State of the Union address Tuesday night and promised to reform policies allowing for the extraction of fossil fuels on federal lands. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 13, 2016

How a new business model could get the Puerto Rico public utility out of debt

The only way PREPA can save itself is to find a path to lower cost electricity, but any restructuring deal is bound up in the politics of both the island and Capitol Hill.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

Nevada regulator urges commission not to delay new solar net metering rates

The full Nevada commission will meet today to consider calls from the solar industry to stay a controversial net metering ruling, but one regulator has already made his opinion on the matter clear.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2016

Dominion Virginia Power commits $700M to solar in long-term resource plan

Virginia regulators use regulatory process to push the utility toward a bigger resource mix. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2016

Solar moves ahead of wind, hydro in California fuel mix, toward 10% of state's power

Huge growth in the sector, along with a hydro-hampering drought, means that solar now accounts for more generation than any other reneawble resource in California. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 12, 2016

Vermont regulators approve new line to bring Canadian renewables to New England

The New England Clean Power Link will carry 1,000 MW of capacity under Lake Champlain.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 11, 2016

Bigger than batteries: Why the cost of other components matters to storage deployment

As deployment accelerates, the plummeting cost of balance of system components will help make storage a better deal for utilities and third parties nationwide. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 11, 2016

Solar and wind comprise 61% of 2015 capacity additions, gas contributes 35%

A combination of wind, gas and solar generation made up 96% of new capacity added last year, according to SNL.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 11, 2016

Utah regulators slim down PURPA contracts to 15 years

While the commission approved a reduction in contract length, it rejected Warren Buffett-owned PacifiCorp's request to reduce PURPA contracts from 20 years to three.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 8, 2016

South Carolina utilities, wind developers show no interest in offshore wind development

Four lease tracts off the state’s Atlantic coast draw interest only from oil and gas drillers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 8, 2016

How the utility role in community solar is evolving as the sector matures

Everybody loves community solar, but just how the sector will mature will depend on how utilities and regulators approach the resource.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 7, 2016

Utility-backed Florida solar proposal appears headed for 2016 ballot

An opposing ballot measure backed by solar advocates is still stuck in money troubles and is looking ahead to the 2018 ballot.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 7, 2016

Nearly $1B in applications for North Carolina renewable tax credits under Safe Harbor amendment

An amendment that extended the availability of tax credits under a now-expired renewable incentive program has attracted $938 million in applications for funding. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 7, 2016

What utilities need to know about solar growth after the ITC extension

With policy support now certain into the 2020s, solar offers utilities a wide range of price-competitive opportunities for utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 7, 2016

Oregon utilities endorse bill to end coal use by 2030, boost RPS to 50% by 2040

Two major Oregon utilities have agreed to support a bill that would phase out coal-fired generation by 2030 and increase the state's renewable portfolio standard to 50% by 2040. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 6, 2016

Nevada regulators will consider delaying new net metering rates, monthly charges

The state's consumer advocate argues the ruling could violate the U.S. constitution’s contracts clause.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 6, 2016

Ontario turns to storage for renewables integration, grid services

Ontario has taken a big step toward integrating energy storage into its grid, but in other respects the province is still catching up with some organized wholesale markets in the United States.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 5, 2016

Illinois landowners push regulators to rethink $2B Grain Belt Express transmission line

The permit allows Grain Belt Express line connecting Kansas wind to the East to use eminent domain. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 5, 2016

Google's Project Sunroof expands online evaluations of solar potential to 20 metro areas

Would-be solar owners can now compare the costs and benefits of options for their unique roofs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 5, 2016

Midwestern utilities Xcel and Westar make big wind buys

Upper Midwest wind is now “competitive with new natural gas," an Xcel executive said. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 5, 2016

DERs in 2016: What experts expect for a booming sector

With the market for distributed energy resources set to blossom thanks to the extensions of vital tax credits, solar especially is primed to grow, experts predict. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2016

Hawaii court upholds PUC order ending retail rate net metering

A circuit court judge last week halted a suit from The Alliance for Solar Choice seeking to overturn the PUC order. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2016

Survey: Over half of solar installers do not offer TPO financing or PPAs

Solar installers across the country are facing stiff competition for customers, and many are selling systems for cash or unsecured loans, a new survey finds. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2016

California's Salton Sea offers 1,800 MW of geothermal potential

A National Renewable Energy Laboratory study finds that the Salton Sea's potential geothermal baseload generation can serve California, Arizona and Nevada's renewables mandates. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 29, 2015

Rocky Mountain Power seeks to shorten Utah PURPA contracts

Rocky Mountain Power, a subsidiary of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway-owned PacifiCorp, says Utah's required 20-year contracts for PURPA qualified contracts is too long. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 28, 2015