‘Setback’ ordinances could cut US wind potential by 87%, solar by 38%: NREL

Restrictive setback ordinances could cut the nation's renewable energy potential 42%, to 93 TW from 161 TW, according to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 10, 2023

A community solar boom will test Xcel, other utility plans against developer, customer needs: analysts

New state and federal funding and initiatives for community solar can bring equity and system reliability to the emerging energy transition, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 10, 2023

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

PJM, MISO, others warn of ‘significant power shortages’ from EPA’s power plant carbon rule

The agency’s proposed limits on power plant carbon emissions rely on “green” hydrogen and carbon capture, technologies that may not be widely available, four grid operators told the agency.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 10, 2023

California must act quickly or risk losing billions in federal community solar incentives

The clock is ticking because a federal program to support community solar requires that states receiving a portion of the $7 billion start providing subsidies within 18 months of it being awarded.

By Aaron Halimi • Aug. 8, 2023

Constellation Energy CEO ‘disappointed’ to see peers opposing EPA’s power plant carbon rule

Emerging ways to blend hydrogen with gas and capture carbon dioxide will allow power plants to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule, Joseph Dominguez, Constellation CEO, said Monday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 8, 2023

US offshore wind faces headwinds, but outlook is strong: DBRS Morningstar VP

Project costs have increased due to a variety of economic factors, but so have clean energy support and incentives.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 7, 2023

FERC interconnection rule may not speed process in much of US: experts

Many transmission providers already use the just-issued rule’s central reform, dampening its effect in large parts of the U.S., lawyers and industry experts say.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 4, 2023

New US offshore wind lease areas in Central Atlantic are inadequate, groups say

BOEM announced three lease areas encompassing 356,550 acres, but an environmental group and an industry group say it won’t be enough to help states meet their clean energy goals.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 3, 2023

Despite headwinds, US offshore wind is poised for a breakout

U.S. offshore wind ambition should be far higher — billions in investment and hundreds of thousands of new jobs, along with a stable and clean grid, are at stake.

By Taylor McNair • Aug. 3, 2023

New York must triple its renewable capacity in 8 years to meet 2030 target: state comptroller

Interconnection and long permitting processes continue to challenge renewable energy developers, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a report.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 2, 2023

Young workers are flocking to renewable jobs, but the sector remains short on labor, reports show

“As hiring in big tech has slowed down, there are a lot of college students who are open to other industries,” said Handshake’s Senior Research Writer Kate Urban.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 1, 2023

DOE makes $450M available for residential solar, battery systems in Puerto Rico

This summer, Puerto Rico experienced rolling blackouts 570 times more frequently than the North American average, according to the Department of Energy.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2023

White House proposes environmental review reforms, in part to speed clean energy projects

“These reforms to federal environmental reviews will deliver better decisions, faster permitting, and more community input and local buy-in,” said Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory.

By Ethan Howland • July 31, 2023

Resource adequacy — time for a new approach

Anticipate more activity on resource adequacy in the coming months and years as the clean energy transition evolves.

July 31, 2023

First Solar plans $1.1B solar panel factory

The clean energy manufacturer is adding its fifth U.S. site as it looks to leverage Inflation Reduction Act tax credits. 

By Kate Magill • July 28, 2023

NextEra seeing signs of wider renewable energy recovery, company leaders say

Solar panel and battery prices have begun to decline, and renewables stand to gain a third class of customers as the U.S. establishes a hydrogen industry, NextEra Energy CEO John Ketchum said.

By Emma Penrod • July 27, 2023

Maine lawmakers approve bill to jumpstart floating offshore wind, develop 3 GW by 2040

The bill establishes procurement, environmental and labor provisions ahead of the federal offshore wind lease sales due to be held for the Gulf of Maine in 2024.

By Diana DiGangi • July 27, 2023

Cautious investors and fast cash: Why AEP, Duke and other utilities have sold their renewable assets

Conditions following the COVID-19 pandemic have led a swath of utility companies to put their competitive renewable energy assets up for sale. Analysts are unsure how long the trend will last.

By Emma Penrod • July 27, 2023

DOE invests $20M to optimize lifecycle of solar energy materials, address supply chain vulnerabilities

The department aims to cut costs and improve efficiency for solar energy to meet the “unprecedented” demand posed by decarbonization goals.

By Diana DiGangi • July 25, 2023

Federal officials encourage applications to $7B solar grant competition

The funding supports solar projects to benefit low-income communities. The first application deadline is July 31.

By Diana DiGangi • July 24, 2023

Hydrogen can fill a critical gap in decarbonizing, but can utilities make the business case?

As electric and gas utilities seek approval from regulators, they will need to address concerns about hydrogen economics, sustainability and safety.

By Leah Kunkel, Wesley Miller and Jessica Wright • July 24, 2023

DOE offers $32M for the production of rare earth and critical minerals from coal-based sources

The Biden administration is looking to develop production sites to extract materials such as lithium and cobalt.

By Kate Magill • July 24, 2023

Investor interest in energy storage back on track after slow first quarter

Unprecedented spikes in lithium prices and new IRA provisions likely contributed to the first-quarter slump, says Della Xu, an investment associate with Greenbacker Capital.

By Emma Penrod • July 21, 2023

Interior Department to hold first-ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind lease sale

Three lease areas with a total potential capacity of 3.7 GW will be auctioned off in August.

By Diana DiGangi • July 21, 2023

New York completes state’s largest rooftop solar project atop Medline distribution center

Governor Hochul says the 7.2-megawatt community solar project is expected to power over 1,600 homes and reduce energy costs for both Medline and local residents.

By Joe Burns • July 21, 2023