Decarbonization, not offsets — Private partnerships as the path to university carbon neutrality

As the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign works to finalize its plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, it should take a cue from fellow Big Ten school Ohio State and partner with the private sector, the authors write.

By Jigar Shah and Jonah Messinger • May 29, 2020

Solar 'growing rapidly' in US cities: report

Fifty cities have more than doubled their total installed solar photovoltaic capacity since 2013, according to a new report by Environment America.

By Chris Teale • May 28, 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

LCOE is not the metric you think it is

The levelized cost of energy formulation overprices solar energy by 27%  and wind energy bu 18% as compared to natural gas-based power, the author says in calling for a new way to compare generation options. 

By James Loewen • May 28, 2020

24 Congressional Democrats urge FERC to reject net metering overhaul

The proposal is an affront to states' rights as well as a threat to distributed energy compensation policies, senators and representatives wrote.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 28, 2020

Tax equity financing for renewables remains robust, but deal delays likely, Morgan Stanley, others agree

The COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn have only created a slight headwind against the pressure for renewable energy projects to close financing as soon as possible in order to qualify for tax credits.

By Matthew Bandyk • May 26, 2020

Murkowski, Collins, Tillis urge Treasury to extend aid to solar industry

The Republican senators asked Secretary Steven Mnuchin to extend safe harbor requirements for the "start of construction" on renewables projects, and modify the "physical work test" rule to ensure eligibility for tax credits.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 26, 2020

COVID-19's untimely hit on China boosts US ranking as most attractive country for renewables: EY

This marks the first time in almost four years the U.S. has topped China in EY's rankings, a development the firm largely attributes to a big push from developers to take advantage of tax credits.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 22, 2020

State-federal tension 'at an all time high' between MOPR, net metering attack, says head Maryland regulator

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Neil Chatterjee, meanwhile, urged states to give the MOPR time.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 22, 2020

Ohio approves first freshwater wind farm in North America, with one huge restriction

The state's Power Siting Board approved the project May 21, but demanded turbines shut down from dusk to dawn March through November, citing the need to protect birds and bats.

By John Funk • May 22, 2020

Exelon, PSEG urge New Jersey to adopt FRR alternative to PJM, as competitive providers push for CASPR

Utilities and competitive suppliers have expressed concern that FERC's Minimum Offer Price Rule would harm coastal states' nascent offshore wind industry, but have competing proposals over how to save it.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 21, 2020

As utilities tackle immediate COVID-19 impacts, analysts stress need to focus beyond the pandemic

Power systems across the country need new approaches for today's shifting loads, but focusing on recovery and tomorrow’s resources can be even better, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 20, 2020

Long-term demand propels renewable procurement during pandemic as buyers remain motivated

In some communities, data center construction and new renewable energy to power the projects are viewed as a critical effort to reinvigorate the local economy amid the economic downturn of the pandemic.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 20, 2020

PJM, retail suppliers scrambling to appease MOPR concerns amid state threats to exit capacity market

Critical stakeholders are signaling they may be willing to negotiate as Maryland, New Jersey and others are looking for a way out of the capacity market.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 20, 2020

Blockchain-based renewables and storage initiative in Los Angeles wins $9M state grant

The multi-part project in the San Gabriel Valley looks to provide affordable, locally produced energy to 28,000 residents in a disadvantaged community.

By Chris Teale • May 19, 2020

PJM MOPR could cost market consumers up to $2.6B annually, report finds

While stakeholders widely agree that the next auction will likely not lead to cost increases, a recent report finds long-term impacts could cost up to $24 billion over the next nine years.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 19, 2020

Accelerating the pace of utility-scale solar installations

Every company in the solar industry has long shared one foundational narrative: Driving down costs in any and every way is key to becoming a mainstream source of electricity.

May 19, 2020

El Paso Electric sees record low solar prices as it secures New Mexico project approvals

The utility had submitted one solar and two solar+storage projects for consideration to replace capacity from the Rio Grande plant's natural gas units set for retirement in 2022.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 18, 2020

Shrinking fossil fuel demand could hit California's cap-and-trade auction, experts say

A report from the California Energy Commission found gasoline, jet fuel and diesel production in the state dropped nearly 48%, 68.3% and 33.2%, respectively, from mid-March to the end of April.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 18, 2020

Maryland lawmakers struggle to mitigate MOPR harm to offshore wind with shortened legislative session

Eighteen legislators filed joint comments with FERC on Friday and over 60 are calling on state regulators to provide developers with a contingency auction for offshore wind.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 18, 2020

Ditching PJM capacity market could cost New Jersey $386M through 2022, market monitor finds

New Jersey regulators opened a docket to investigate how the state could reach its 100% clean energy goals under the constraints of new rules in the PJM market.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 15, 2020

Walmart blasts Virginia regulator's report on pricing, biomass in Dominion's proposed 100% renewable energy tariff

Tension is mounting in Virginia's regulatory proceeding that would block Dominion customers from leaving its service for clean energy and charge a premium for 100% renewable energy.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 14, 2020

Hawaiian Electric eyes 460 MW solar, 3 GWh storage to help meet renewables goals

The projects, which are scheduled to come online beginning in 2022, would increase the utility's solar capacity by more than 50%.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 14, 2020

ITC tax normalization limits solar growth and favors fossil fuels

Solar could be the most profitable resource for utilities, if not for an obscure requirement associated with the ITC called "tax normalization," the authors write.

By Eric Blank and D.R. Richardson • May 14, 2020

Colorado Tri-State ruling could provide co-op exit template amid rising tensions with G&T providers

Tri-State is struggling to respond to member demands for renewable energy. The conflict could have implications that drive an energy transition — or tear the electric cooperative system apart.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 13, 2020

Duke CEO decries 'assault' on natural gas as shareholders, others target company's resource plans

Shareholders grilled the utility on its long-term investment plans, questioning why the company is lagging behind others in its renewable energy buildouts.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 13, 2020