Transmission & Distribution

ConEd faces $102M penalty, possible license revocation for Hurricane Isaias response

Some customers were without power for about a week following the storm, and an expedited investigation concluded utilities failed to follow regulator-ordered emergency response plans.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 24, 2020

NERC: Pandemic, regional fuel shortages threaten winter grid operations in California, New England

Grid operators must prepare to mitigate potential fuel shortages in the colder months while prioritizing worker safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Grid Resiliency

Utilities and grid operators are facing increasing threats from climate change as well as cyber and physical attacks, and are deploying a variety of responses, with some adjustments in the age of COVID-19.

By Utility Dive staff

Deep Dive

Why capital markets are continuing to finance utilities facing rising flood and other climate change impacts

In a sample of 18 utility disclosures on climate risks analyzed by Utility Dive, 13 stated flooding and heavy storms were a short-to-mid term threat.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 20, 2020

FERC proposes transmission rating reform, upholds PURPA, ISO-NE orders

Line ratings are considered a "tool stuck in limbo" by transmission experts that could help renewables waiting in long interconnection queues connect to the grid, while improving the overall efficiency of transmission lines.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 20, 2020

Calculating the costs of climate change in the energy, waste sectors

Waste Dive, Utility Dive and Smart Cities Dive teamed up for a series presenting the way their sectors are evaluating the impacts and costs of mitigating climate change.

By Nami Sumida • Nov. 18, 2020

Climate risks are accelerating. Here's what Duke, PG&E and 16 other utilities expect to pay.

Utility Dive took a closer look at how climate risks are threatening utilities — and how much it's going to cost to mitigate them.

By Nami Sumida • Nov. 18, 2020

Glick vows to prioritize transmission, reassess capacity markets if named FERC Chair

Commissioner Richard Glick, a frontrunner for FERC chair under Biden, has opposed many of the commission's actions in recent years, particularly those he believes directly impeding state resource decisions.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 18, 2020

Tri-State accelerates Colorado decarbonization, weighs joining Southwest Power Pool expansion

The transmission and generation cooperative will file a plan Dec. 1 to reduce emissions associated with its wholesale electricity sales in Colorado 80% by 2030, surpassing its previous 70% goal.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2020

Deep Dive

Transmission troubles? A solution could be lying along rail lines and next generation highways

Multiple studies show the need for interregional transmission is growing and proposals to streamline siting will help, but cost allocation remains a barrier.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2020

Did Evergy reject a $15B bid from NextEra? Maybe — but not recently.

Reuters, citing anonymous sources, reported on Monday that NextEra made a bid to acquire Kansas-based Evergy and the offer was recently rejected. The two utilities had been in talks, but that process was terminated months ago.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2020

As EV infrastructure expands, researchers show charging stations vulnerable to low-cost hacking

The Southwest Research Institute was able to perform three manipulations to the most common EV charging equipment: limiting charge rates, blocking a vehicle from charging, and overcharging its battery.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2020

Deep Dive

Could COVID-19 provide a windfall to utilities from shifting demand? Report says yes, but it's complicated

The global pandemic's impact on energy consumption is still being investigated, but a Tufts University researcher expects utilities could benefit financially. Edison Electric Institute disputes the report's conclusions.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2020

ISO-NE commits to address regional energy security challenges as FERC rejects proposal

Federal regulators said the grid operator's proposal would "impose substantial costs on consumers without meaningfully improving fuel security." Utility opponents put the price at up to $257 million a year.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 09, 2020

Dominion claims it's 3rd largest utility owner of solar, continues clean energy transition in Virginia

The utility divested some of its natural gas transmission assets and announced the addition of 500 MW of solar earlier this week.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 09, 2020

Larger, vertically-integrated utilities better prepared to face cyber threats, says Moody's

Smaller, publicly-owned utilities are leaning on cybsersecurity insurance to mitigate risk, according to the ratings agency.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 06, 2020

In split vote, Arizona regulators take major step toward 100% carbon-free mandate for utilities

The plan includes an interim renewables target and a battery standard with a carve-out for distributed resources, but could be upended by election outcomes as three commission seats are up for grabs.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 02, 2020

Gov. Cuomo proposes bill to 'dramatically increase penalties' for NY utility storm response failures

The bill would boost penalties for utilities failing to follow emergency response plans and threatens franchise revocation for repeated failings.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2020

Deep Dive

Election 2020: Trump's FERC may need to shift course on clean energy, though Biden's road will not be easy

No matter what happens Nov. 3, the agency will have no choice but to address the industry's transition, even if it means backing away from some of its more controversial policies under the Trump administration, analysts say.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 27, 2020

Deep Dive

Election 2020: Climate policy faces a tough road through Congress regardless of electoral outcomes

A Democratic Senate will attempt to pass Joe Biden's clean energy standard in the face of an expected Republican filibuster, while bipartisan support exists for more R&D spending on carbon-cutting technologies.

By Matthew Bandyk • Oct. 26, 2020

AVANGRID, PNM Resources announce $8.3B merger to create 'one of biggest clean energy companies' in US

The combined entity would own 10 regulated utilities in six states, and would have renewable energy operations in 24 states.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2020

New England states call for changes to wholesale markets, transmission planning and grid governance

The current system "has actively hindered our efforts to decarbonize the grid," according to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2020

New York expands state clean energy standard, moves to boost renewables use in the Big Apple

Regulators created a new program within the Clean Energy Standard to value the environmental attributes that renewable resources give to the city, while advancing an upstate transmission project.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2020

LUMA rejects mounting criticism of Puerto Rico grid operating contract, sees $100M annual savings

A new report says the deal will not sufficiently reduce island electricity prices, but Luma Energy says the analysis fails to account for reductions in operating and maintenance costs.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 13, 2020

Column

Taking Charge: How Austin Energy simultaneously managed COVID-19 and a new carbon price adder

Austin Energy General Manager Jackie Sargent discusses "crazy times," and how the utility is protecting employees while cutting emissions on the road to carbon-free status.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 08, 2020

Tri-State proposes rate reduction, resource procurement flexibility, but not enough to stop member exit

The concessions will not stop some members from leaving the utility's service. "We are going to need to much more than the proposed 8% reduction," said United Power's acting CEO.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 08, 2020