Transmission & Distribution
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Texas regulators defer to legislature on utility ownership of energy storage
The state's market for energy storage is in limbo since regulators dismissed a request by AEP Texas last year to install two battery storage projects.
By Peter Maloney • Jan. 18, 2019
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Southern CEO: Georgia Power to consider resilience in IRP for first time
"Maybe you take coal plants out of service but you keep them alive in the event that you have a resiliency emergency," Tom Fanning told a Washington audience Thursday.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 18, 2019
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Virginia rejects majority of Dominion's $6B grid modernization plan, smart meter rollout
The State Corporation Commission deemed the proposal as too expensive, approving only $154.5 million of the first phase — originally projected to cost $1.5 billion.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 18, 2019
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Federal judge links PG&E's uninsulated power lines to California wildfires
Judge William Alsup gave Pacific Gas & Electric and the U.S. Department of Justice until Jan. 23 to respond to the accuracy of his tentative conclusions.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 18, 2019
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FERC opens 3 pipeline rate probes as Chatterjee tables PJM political spending complaint
For the second month running, FERC declined to act on the highest-profile item on its meeting agenda, likely indicating disagreement among regulators.
By Gavin Bade • Jan. 17, 2019
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EPA won't freeze fuel economy standards as Wheeler faces confirmation vote
News of EPA's policy shift came during a testy nomination hearing where the acting administrator faced pressure from activists and Democrat senators on climate change.
By Gavin Bade • Jan. 16, 2019
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Deep DiveTri-State members increasingly unsatisfied as the rise of distributed resources upends the G&T model
Given the increasing affordability of renewable energy, "the very reason G&Ts were created is less valid every day," Chris Riley, president of Guzman Energy, told Utility Dive.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 15, 2019
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San Francisco considering municipal utility as PG&E prepares bankruptcy filing
The city government's retail water and power provider is planning for when PG&E files for Chapter 11 protections, "including possibility of acquiring or building electrical infrastructure assets."
By Gavin Bade • UPDATED: Jan. 15, 2019 at 12:31 p.m.
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Deep Dive2019 Power Sector Outlook: Top trends to watch
We talked to utilities, analysts and technology providers on what to expect in the year ahead for storage, solar, demand-side management and more.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 15, 2019
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PG&E to file for bankruptcy protection as California wildfire costs mount
The company that emerges from the Chapter 11 proceeding could look quite different from the large, investor-owned utility holding company that is the biggest player in California.
By Gavin Bade • UPDATED: Jan. 14, 2019 at 12:39 p.m.
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Regulators order investigation of Vermont Gas pipeline, amid scrutiny after Massachusetts explosions
A 41-mile pipeline in Vermont has been operating for two years, but that could change following safety complaints from project opponents.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2019
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OpinionNetworking and communications for smart grids and utility applications: A $100B opportunity
The connectivity needs of — and options available to — power utilities are rapidly expanding, writes Navigant's Richelle Elberg.
By Richelle Elberg
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JD Power: Customer satisfaction will hinge on how utilities manage TOU rates
In a look ahead for the industry, JD Power said 2019 will be a year when utilities focus on time-of-use rate structures, electric vehicles, new revenues and digital disruption.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2019
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PUC order keeps Minnesota ahead of the curve on performance-based rates
The order, the culmination of a process that began in September 2017, establishes procedures and goals for developing metrics for performance-based rates by the fall.
By Peter Maloney • Jan. 11, 2019
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California regulators move to outline wildfire cost recovery as PG&E teeters
The CPUC opened a docket to determine how much PG&E can pay for wildfire damages on the same day that Moody's downgraded its credit rating four notches.
By Gavin Bade • Jan. 11, 2019
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Deep Dive2019 Storage Outlook: Utility procurement will drive deployments, analysts say
Rules for energy storage in wholesale markets are being finalized, but deployments are more likely to be driven by utility resource plans.
By Peter Maloney • Jan. 08, 2019
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Before Columbia Gas explosions, report finds thousands of leaks in Massachusetts
The state had more than 34,000 leaks reported in 2017, including nearly 7,500 of the most extreme "Grade 1" category, which are flagged for immediate repair, a Boston Herald investigation found.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 08, 2019
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Deep DiveMurder charges unlikely, but PG&E bankruptcy or asset sales are on the table
Increased federal oversight for the embattled California utility is also likely, energy lawyers told Utility Dive.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 07, 2019
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NextEra, Dominion complete major utility acquisitions, expanding reach in the South
The big get bigger as the new year opens with Dominion and NextEra closing acquisitions of SCANA and Gulf Power, respectively.
By Peter Maloney • Jan. 03, 2019
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Deep DiveGetting to 100% zero emissions in California: Beyond CAISO's eight-solution menu
The state's IOUs are on track for 50% renewables by 2020, but questions remain on how to reach the 100% clean energy goal by 2045.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 03, 2019
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DP&L envisions smart meters in every home, files $576M grid mod plan
The utility's plan aims for personalized engagement, differentiated reliability, easy integration of distributed resources and preparing the grid to accommodate more electric vehicles.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 03, 2019
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With Hogan 'no' vote, Maryland board rejects Columbia Gas pipeline expansion
Environmental activists hope the governor's vote represents a major shift in energy policy, but company officials remain committed to building the 3.5-mile pipeline.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 03, 2019
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Deep Dive10 trends shaping the electric power sector in 2019
From coal bailouts to batteries and wind and solar growth, here are the issues that will define the year to come.
By Gavin Bade • Jan. 02, 2019
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California AG: PG&E could be prosecuted for murder
Any charges would need to be filed by local officials, but if PG&E's equipment was operated in a reckless manner and is found responsible for sparking wildfires, the utility could face criminal prosecution.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 02, 2019
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As California considers breaking up PG&E, utility 'open to a range of solutions'
The Friday before Christmas, state regulators said they would evaluate whether to split Pacific Gas & Electric's natural gas and electricity divisions into separate companies.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 28, 2018