Missouri cities shine on the national climate action stage

While coastal cities typically drive climate action, Kansas City and St. Louis are demonstrating what Heartland cities are capable of in the fight against climate change.

By Ashok Gupta • June 9, 2020

Amid uncertainty, an opportunity for utilities to better serve large customers' renewable energy needs

In today's climate, utilities have an opportunity to help large customers meet renewable energy goals.

By Amanda Mortlock VP of Utility Partnerships, 3Degrees • June 8, 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

Renewables' potential depends on transparent and fair policies, not special interest giveaways

FirstEnergy spinoff Energy Harbor is receiving a $1 billion taxpayer bailout while also enriching its shareholders with an $800 million stock buyback. This is crony capitalism at its worst, the author writes.

By Michael K. Dorsey • June 5, 2020

Utilities stay silent on proposal to federalize net metering as states call it a 'threat' to solar policy

States have spent years examining distributed generation compensation policies, and upending those efforts for "one-size-fits-all federalization" is "irritating," Arkansas Public Service Commission Chair Ted Thomas said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated June 4, 2020

The 3 key challenges to expanding the West's real-time energy market to day-ahead trading

Driven by new Western state renewables and zero emissions mandates, the 11 active participants and nine new applicants in the Energy Imbalance Market are pushing to expand it to day-ahead trading.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 3, 2020

As utility solar costs drop 82%, US renewables, storage leaders target majority generation share by 2030

In 2019, renewable energy sources often beat the cheapest coal competitors on cost, a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency finds.

By Guy Burdick • June 3, 2020

Businesses, lawmakers urge $22B in federal clean energy investment as sector job losses top 600K

In a letter to Congressional leaders, dozens of companies and advocacy groups proposed $22 billion in federal spending over five years to improve the safety, energy efficiency and resilience of critical public facilities.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2020

Is subnational carbon pricing the off-ramp for MOPR?

FERC's April ruling refines the applicability of MOPR to green industrial policy and clarifies that it does not apply to voluntary private behavior and environmental policy, opening the door to emissions-based policies, the author writes.

By Devin Hartman • June 2, 2020

Cities need more expertise, utility support in 100% renewables push: report

The authors said local leaders should invest more time to find ways that ensure the energy transition is equitable and does not leave marginalized communities behind.

By Chris Teale • June 1, 2020

US solar developers get reprieve on bifacial panel prices as judge rejects USTR move on tariffs

While the ruling ensures developers can purchase the more efficient two-sided panels from Asia for a few months without any tariffs, the government is expected to continue its efforts to remove the exemption.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2020

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

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