The future of hydropower will be determined in the Pacific Northwest

By eliminating the best energy storage source in the nation — carbon-free hydropower — we will be fighting climate change with our hands tied behind our backs, the author writes.

By Kurt Miller • Aug. 6, 2020

Offshore wind report forecasts $1.7B of revenue from new federal lease auctions by 2022

The offshore wind industry has asked the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to auction more areas for development ahead of the first large-scale project beginning operation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 5, 2020

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

Denver voters to decide on sales tax for GHG reduction projects

The 0.25% sales tax increase would bring in an estimated $36 million to support investments in solar power, job training in renewable energy and other initiatives.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 5, 2020

bp targets $5B annual renewables spending, 50 GW by 2030

The international oil company gave greater insight into its plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 after taking a $16.8 billion hit in Q2 of this year.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 5, 2020

Sheep, ag and sun: Agrivoltaics propel significant reductions in solar maintenance costs

The cost savings impressed Tampa Electric when it put its solar O&M out to bid in 2018, with grazing representing a 75% cost savings over traditional mowing, said Paul Davis, director of solar operations.

By Lynn Freehill-Maye • Aug. 4, 2020

WEC Energy Group targets carbon neutrality by 2050 after hitting emissions goals a decade early

The Wisconsin-based electric provider plans to nearly double existing emission reductions over the next decade with a $900 million investment in renewable energy.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 4, 2020

Let Project Icebreaker break the ice

The Ohio Power Siting Board should remove its 11th hour "poison pill" condition on the construction permit for the first freshwater offshore wind project in North America, a clean energy attorney says.

By Theresa Carroll • Aug. 4, 2020

Dominion shakes up leadership, focuses on renewables after pipeline cancellation

CEO Tom Farrell is transitioning to a new role in a "long designed succession process" as the company takes a $2.8 billion charge related to the canceled Atlantic Coast Pipeline. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 3, 2020

GE's renewables division reports nearly $200M in Q2 losses due to COVID-19 delays

GE Renewable Energy reported year-over-year orders down 19%, but revenues for the first half of 2020 have increased slightly, hinting at a gradual recovery after cost-saving measures.

By Emma Penrod • July 31, 2020

A blow to small solar, a win for states and utilities? Regulators, analysts assess FERC's PURPA rule

Federal regulators issued a ruling on the law earlier this month that stakeholders say could disproportionately benefit vertically-integrated utilities in non-competitive markets in particular.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 30, 2020

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

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