Transmission & Distribution

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

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

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

National Grid sees hydrogen as a linchpin, joins utilities targeting net zero carbon by 2050

The company intends to continue studies and pilots to blend hydrogen into its existing gas network, viewing the renewable gas as a "lynchpin" between its networks, according to a spokesperson.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 05, 2020

US cybersecurity agency urges utilities to increase protections, warns of potential attacks from China

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned of potential attacks on critical infrastructure, including the power sector. "This is what we’ve been warned about," said one security professional.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 05, 2020

Biden could pursue 'easy' climate solutions, elements of the Green New Deal if elected: experts

Renewable energy, storage and transmission projects will continue to face challenges even in "blue" states supportive of such development, according to speakers at the Society of Environmental Journalists' annual conference.

By Gloria Gonzalez • Oct. 02, 2020

Flurry of grid security bills pass House, including public-private training partnership

Electric utilities support several of the measures, one of which would direct the Department of Energy to provide training to utilities to mitigate cybersecurity supply chain management risks.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 01, 2020

Climate change had its presidential debate moment. What did we learn?

President Donald Trump says humans contribute to changing climate "to an extent," and that "forest management" is a key to addressing California wildfires. Joe Biden vows no more coal or oil-fired plants built.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2020

NextEra, Mountain Valley Pipeline developers receive 2-year extension from FERC

Regulators lifted a work-stop order on Friday on all but a 25-mile segment including a national forest. Developers were previously aiming to bring the pipeline in service by early next year.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • UPDATED: Oct. 13, 2020 at 9:58 a.m.

NERC, FERC recommend public anonymity for utilities violating power system security rules

Staff recommended the North American Electric Reliability Corp. stop publicly posting redacted versions of noncompliance filings and submittals — recommendations that would reduce transparency, say customer advocates.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2020

Sponsored by Esri

Network management to meet goals and create value

Utility leaders struggle to adapt, modernize, and move their networks forward in cost-effective ways.

By Pat Hohl, Esri • Sept. 28, 2020

Opinion

Utilities aren't rewarded for saving money. FERC now has a chance to fix this

Current federal incentives for improving transmission all point the wrong way: rewarding utilities for building expensive, inefficient boondoggles, rather than making the most of what they already have, the authors write.

By Jigar Shah and Rob Gramlich • Sept. 23, 2020

White House authorizes $9.6B to rebuild Puerto Rico's grid, but how can it be spent?

The Trump administration also faces doubts about its intentions in announcing the disaster relief funding three years after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico — but less than two months before the November election.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2020

Pipelines, energy storage among 60+ projects expedited by Trump order waiving environmental regulations

Newly released documents provide details into some of the infrastructure projects that have been sped up by the Trump administration to help hasten the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Jenn Goodman • Sept. 21, 2020

FERC investigates risk of foreign adversary-supplied bulk power equipment, with focus on Huawei, ZTE

Experts say replacing bulk power system equipment from adversarial nations could cost the electric industry hundreds of millions of dollars.

By Robert Walton • UPDATED: Sept. 25, 2020 at 9:07 a.m.

Deep Dive

Politics disrupts San Diego's pursuit of an energy transition partner amid dissatisfaction with SDG&E

San Diego's 50-year-old franchise agreement with San Diego Gas and Electric expires in January, but city leaders can't agree on standards for the next provider, leaving bidders, including Berkshire Hathaway Energy, waiting.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 18, 2020

Sponsored by Burns & McDonnell

Lessons from Disruption: Navigating the Pandemic and Beyond

Welcome to "Lessons from Disruption: Navigating the Pandemic and Beyond," a podcast series dedicated to further understanding how the utility industry can overcome the several challenges brought out by COVID-19 with technology and smart planning. 

By Utility Dive's Brand Studio • Sept. 18, 2020

How to participate in the 2020 Utility Dive Awards

Industry Dive is gearing up for the 2020 Dive Awards. We want to hear your ideas on the executives, utilities and policymakers that stood out.

By Utility Dive Editors • UPDATED: Sept. 28, 2020 at 9:46 a.m.

Security experts cast doubt on FERC, NERC cyber intrusion response report findings

Federal regulators have published a report on how utilities can retake control of their networks once hackers get in, but some experts say the advice misses obvious responses and could allow hackers to inflict additional damage.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 17, 2020

Opinion

Big changes may be ahead for natural gas pipelines, if FERC does its job

Pipelines risk becoming costly stranded assets if they are built without a serious look at how they fit with decarbonization goals. But FERC refuses to grapple with these issues, the author writes.

By Jessica Bell • Sept. 16, 2020