New Mexico approves 100% renewables + storage replacement for San Juan coal capacity

A full renewables portfolio, along with battery storage, was the only replacement option that fully satisfied the state's 100% carbon-free energy transition goals, according to regulators.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 30, 2020

2050 too far off? How facilities can achieve net zero carbon today

Facilities across a range of sectors — including high-heat industrial sectors — have a realistic path to eliminating 100% of their carbon emissions, the author writes.

By Tim Lukes • July 29, 2020

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

Geothermal energy is surging — battered oil and gas companies should take advantage

America’s idled oil and gas workforce can get back into the field with geothermal operations, which similarly involve deep-well drilling, according to the authors.

By Jigar Shah and Tim Latimer • July 28, 2020

Companies press for renewables support in COVID-19 recovery package, but near-term effects in doubt

Federal investments in clean energy infrastructure, as requested by Edison International, Unilever and 30 other businesses, may not address the rapid short-term growth needed for post-pandemic economic recovery, analysts said.

By Emma Penrod • July 27, 2020

Construction begins on Pittsburgh International Airport microgrid

The microgrid will completely power PIT by next summer, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative among major U.S. airports.

By Chris Teale • July 24, 2020

New Jersey drafts offshore wind solicitation for up to 2.4 GW

The announcement follows New York's landmark 2.5 GW solicitation for offshore wind, but regulators say existing lease areas can satisfy both procurement processes.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 24, 2020

Senate Republicans urge McConnell to include clean energy in COVID-19 recovery package

The letter, led by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., is likely "the largest number of Republican senators" to have signed onto an effort urging clean energy be included in a federal recovery package.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 24, 2020

Alliant Energy to operate at 100% net-zero emissions by 2050

The utility would retire all eight of its remaining coal-fired plants by 2040 or sooner under its "new aspirational goal."

By Catherine Morehouse • July 23, 2020

Grid operators agree on short-term gas benefits, but say it shouldn't limit renewables growth

"If we get to 100%, we're gonna have to solve some of these really, really challenging problems, but I think that compared to where we are today, we shouldn't let the great be the enemy of the good," PJM Interconnection President and CEO Manu Asthana said.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 22, 2020

Enel plans to deploy 1 GW storage capacity across renewable portfolio through 2022

The company started constructing its first North American utility-scale hybrid project in Texas.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 22, 2020

COVID-19 should not prevent utilities from investing in renewables: Xcel CEO

Although transmission "bottlenecks" and other barriers exist "that's just a matter of will, not a matter of the technology or the underlying economics," said Xcel CEO and Edison Electric Institute Chairman Ben Fowke.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 22, 2020

New York announces 4 GW renewables solicitation with 2.5 GW offshore wind

The request for proposals could move New York halfway to its goal of having 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035 and is the largest renewables solicitation in U.S. history.

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2020

Morgan Stanley joins group aiming to measure, reduce climate impact

The move comes less than two weeks after JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo were revealed as backers of a renewable energy group's Center for Climate-Aligned Finance.

By Dan Ennis • July 21, 2020

UK-based DER company enters North American market as US sits 'on the cusp' of mass transition

As the costs of battery storage drop in North America, a technology company focused on virtual power plants crosses the Atlantic to launch two new projects.

By Emma Penrod • July 21, 2020

COVID-19 puts spotlight on equity considerations in utility clean energy, efficiency and relief efforts

Utilities are engaging in programs and actions, including cost shifting, that can bring benefits to low-income customers, according to participants of the NARUC summer policy summit.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 21, 2020

SMUD aims for carbon neutrality by 2030 in new climate emergency declaration

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District's new goal is aggressive among the 25 other utility commitments to carbon-free or net-zero emissions by 2050.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 20, 2020

PREPA CEO sees bright future for embattled utility, but funding, grid mod challenges remain

PREPA plans to develop 1,800 MW of new renewable generation and signed a private sector partnership to manage its grid more efficiently.

By Robert Walton • July 20, 2020

FERC finalizes PURPA overhaul in move Glick says "discourages" small solar development

Changes include allowing states to set the rates paid to qualifying facilities at a variable wholesale rate rather than a fixed cost and reducing the size of a project that can qualify for PURPA rates from 20 MW to 5 MW.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 17, 2020

FERC shuts down petition to upend net metering, McNamee signals issue could return

Though all four commissioners voted against the petition, Commissioners James Danly and Bernard McNamee issued separate concurrence statements.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 17, 2020

New York adopts net metering alternative, delays implementation due to COVID-19

New rules and charges will go into effect in 2022, which solar stakeholders say gives the industry time to recover from the effects of the global pandemic.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2020

BlackRock censures seven utility companies for lack of climate action, warns of other penalties

Analysts say BlackRock's choice to publish a list of over 200 companies it says haven't made sufficient progress on climate change "sends an unmistakable message." But shareholder activism alone won't mitigate climate risk, they say.

By Emma Penrod • July 17, 2020

New California regulation could jump-start solar panel recycling sector

The state's upcoming classification of photovoltaic panels as universal waste is expected to allow for greater efficiencies in handling a material stream that is projected to grow substantially in coming decades.

By Matthew Bandyk • July 16, 2020

JPMorgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs back launch of climate finance center

Banks are increasingly seeing the value — not just in optics but in revenue — of environmentally responsible investment.

By Dan Ennis • July 15, 2020

Biden outlines $2T plan to invest in renewables, electrification

While Joe Biden explains his vision of climate change as an opportunity for economic growth, a renewable industry report shows positive signs of recovery in the face of COVID-19.

By Emma Penrod • July 15, 2020

New McDonald's flagship runs 100% on renewable energy

The new restaurant, located near Disney's All-Star Resorts in Orlando, Florida, is part of the brand's push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 36% by 2030.

By Alicia Kelso • July 14, 2020