Transmission & Distribution

NERC sounds alarm on solar tripping in 'sobering' summer reliability report

Electric grid operators may struggle with resource shortages, droughts and extreme temperatures this summer, according to North America's grid watchdog.

By Robert Walton • May 19, 2022

Calls for increased natural gas production ignore US infrastructure needs

While the President has recently shifted his narrative to support American natural gas, his administration continues to introduce and implement policies that impact our industry through added delays and costs, the author writes.

By Amy Andryszak • May 16, 2022

Explore the 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 to meet the rising challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

White House vows to speed up environmental review for federal projects

The new action plan will help streamline permitting and accelerate projects, Biden administration officials said Wednesday.

By Julie Strupp • May 12, 2022

New Maine utility law requires integrated planning to support state goals, sets penalties for reliability failures

Maine's electric utilities have been "rock bottom" on customer service in recent years, say advocates. The new law requires utilities to undertake an integrated grid planning process that directly supports Maine's clean energy goals.

By Robert Walton • May 11, 2022

DOE plans to buy capacity on proposed power lines in first step for $2.5B transmission funding program

However, it's unclear how much transmission development the program will support, according to experts.

By Ethan Howland • May 11, 2022

FERC, state regulators eye options for clearing up interconnection 'quagmire,' allocating upgrade costs

Federal and state officials generally agreed studying interconnection requests in clusters could speed the process, but there was no consensus on who should pay for upgrades.

By Ethan Howland • May 9, 2022

Digital transformation for utilities: a strategic approach

Despite the rise of digital transformation, the construction industry — in particular, utility infrastructure construction — lags behind. How can digital transformation help utilities face their challenges?

By Robert Schultz, Electric Utility Industry Specialist, Locusview • May 9, 2022

Can FERC convince utilities to build modern transmission systems?

The challenge before FERC is to ensure that transmission development is guided by consumer benefits and is not dictated by utility self-interest, the author writes. 

By Ari Peskoe • May 4, 2022

SunZia, NV Energy, Pinnacle West-Berkshire transmission projects advance across the Southwest

The projects could unlock 10,000 MW of renewable energy, according to the Department of the Interior.

By Ethan Howland • May 4, 2022

PSE&G continues to grow rate base, expects decision on $848M 'last mile' program this fall

Regulated investments "are producing predictable utility growth," company officials said Tuesday. The utility's parent company is planning up to $17 billion in capital investments through 2025.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2022

The fight for a national clean energy transmission system emerges on three fronts

DOE’s multi-part transmission study, FERC’s refocus on transmission planning, and macrogrid advocacy efforts could produce an interconnected nation ready for net zero electricity by 2035, industry, government and other experts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 3, 2022

FERC rejects MISO proposal to let utilities profit from upgrades for merchant HVDC lines

Renewable advocates contend letting utilities profit on interconnection upgrades drives up costs, killing some potential generating projects.

By Ethan Howland • May 3, 2022

Washington utilities keep close eye on Great Resignation trends as they prep for wildfire season

Pacific Power, Avista and Puget Sound Energy plan to invest millions of dollars over the next few years in preparing their service territories for wildfires, according to plans filed with regulators this month. 

By Kavya Balaraman • May 2, 2022

Can the grid handle millions of EVs? In Tennessee, distribution systems will be 'canary in the coal mine'

Preparing for the coming wave of electric vehicles will require utilities to change traditional integrated resource planning and engage more with fleet owners and automakers, according to industry observers.

By Robert Walton • May 2, 2022

Can we solve the massive rate hikes for customers of California's largest utilities?

As we plunge into the third year of a global pandemic, the world is experiencing little relief from ever-increasing prices.

May 2, 2022

Arizona Public Service asks court to reverse ACC cost recovery, ROE decisions

A decision last year to deny cost recovery of some pollution control investments and reduce the utility's rate of return threatens reliability, Arizona Public Service told a state judge on Wednesday.

By Robert Walton • April 29, 2022

Danly calls FERC transmission proposal coercive and discriminatory, highlights roadblocks

In addition, it’s unclear that competition works in the transmission sector, FERC Commissioner James Danly said Thursday at a WIRES meeting.

By Ethan Howland • April 29, 2022

Could NextEra's $55M winning bid for SPP's transmission project be among the last of its kind?

FERC's proposed transmission reforms would effectively kill the limited competition that exists, according to Ari Peskoe, a Harvard Law School professor.

By Ethan Howland • April 27, 2022

Oregon regulators approve utility wildfire mitigation plans but question Idaho Power omissions

The PUC approved plans from PacifiCorp and PGE. It also approved Idaho Power’s plan, but with conditions, including requiring the utility to provide a more thorough analysis of cost and risk mitigation assumptions.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 26, 2022

FERC proposes expanded state role in effort to spur transmission development

"The proposal aims to facilitate states' influence and buy-in to regional planning and cost allocation," FERC Commissioner Allison Clements said.

By Ethan Howland • April 22, 2022

Arizona legislature advances bill restricting retail competition in effort to promote reliability

Clean energy advocates opposed the bill for restricting customer choice, lacking reliability initiatives and further challenging the legal precedent for distributed solar within a public utility's territory.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 21, 2022

New York approves transmission contracts to advance Clean Path NY, Champlain Hudson projects

The Public Service Commission also expanded a key development program for distributed solar in the state.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2022

How composite core conductors reduce the costs of transmission projects

The performance benefits of composite core conductors are clear, as are the considerations for using them in designing cost-effective transmission projects.

April 18, 2022

Google invests $9.5B in US offices and data centers

The investments come at a time when the data center industry is booming and the company is pursuing 100% clean energy for every hour of the day.

By Sebastian Obando • April 14, 2022

Reliability concerns drive need for energy market design reforms, but regions diverge in FERC proceeding

Filings from FERC proceedings show a one-size-fits-all reform can't sufficiently address regional market diversity, but federal guidelines can target growing uncertainties and costs from rising variable and distributed resource penetrations.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 11, 2022