PG&E: California policies will boost its capital expenditures

The utility expects to spend $5.6 billion this year, including $2 billion on distribution, $1.2 billion on transmission and $700 million on generation,

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 2, 2016

Independence Day: Local utilities ditch power suppliers for renewables, stable prices

A muni and a co-op in New Mexico are the latest utilities to cut ties with their generation supplier in search of more clean energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 1, 2016

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

Consumers Energy seeks to put 800 EV charging stations in Michigan

The utility has asked Michigan regulators for permission to put the cost of installing 800 EV stations into its ratebase.

By Peter Maloney • July 28, 2016

Revised proposal for CAISO expansion aims to preserve state sovereignty

New proposed rules that would help govern an expanded California ISO have been altered to make significant concessions to states worried about working alongside the largest economy in the country.

By Robert Walton • July 27, 2016

New York judge deals blow to Gov. Cuomo's crackdown on independent energy marketers

A New York judge called Gov. Cuomo's crackdown on independent energy marketers "arbitrary and irrational," ordering regulators to come up with a new draft of rules. 

By Robert Walton • July 27, 2016

Arizona judge recommends lower rate increase for UES Electric case

An Administrative Law Judge for the Arizona Corporation Commission also recommended against demand charges and the utility's request to cut its net metering rate.

By Robert Walton • July 26, 2016

Minnesota first to adopt 'value of solar' approach for community solar

The value of solar methodology incorporates external factors, such as avoided transmission investments and the health and environmental effects of clean energy. 

By Peter Maloney • July 25, 2016

NERC seeks to bolster grid security with improved cyber protocols

The new risk management standard will address both information systems and bulk electric system assets.  

By Robert Walton • July 25, 2016

Maryland PSC rejects Baltimore microgrid proposal

Exelon's subsidiaries are having a hard time convincing policymakers to allow rate-based investments in microgrids. 

By Peter Maloney • July 22, 2016

Western transmission owners mull organized market as alternative to CAISO

The members of the Mountain West Transmission Group are wary of joining a California-centered market.

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2016

For utility customer satisfaction, J.D. Power says communication, control are key

Customers are happiest when their utility engages before there's a problem, a new industry survey shows.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2016

FERC audit pushes greater independence for SPP market monitor

SPP does not have an independent market monitor and that appears unlikely to change after the audit.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2016

Arizona regulators approve APS demand management, efficiency programs

Approval will allow APS to develop strategies to integrate storage into their demand management programs.

By Peter Maloney • July 15, 2016

Missouri PSC procedural decision delays Grain Belt Express transmission hearings

The Missouri PSC has rejected Clean Line Energy's Grain Belt Express transmission project on procedural grounds, forcing the company to delay submission of its application until Aug. 29.

By Peter Maloney • July 15, 2016

How well do consumers understand rooftop solar economics?

A Federal Trade Commission workshop on competition and consumer protection in the DG solar power industry attracted a wide range of comments.

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

Sonnen cuts battery system cost 40% to serve self-consumption market

Seeing an opportunity in changes to net metering policies, Sonnen has introduced a cheaper battery without backup power features.

By Peter Maloney • July 8, 2016

Minnesota Power refiles plan to lower industrial customer rates

Rejected earlier this year, the amended filing reduces the rate impact on residential customers and places limits on the number of industrial facilities which can take advantage of the lower power prices.

By Robert Walton • July 8, 2016

Come together? DER aggregation sparks more confusion than consensus in power sector

Utilities and DER providers have divergent opinions on how the aggregation of distributed resources will develop, according to a recent GTM survey.  

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2016

PacifiCorp entry to Western EIM could boost carbon emissions, critics say

The Sierra Club said a preliminary study by California ISO modeling scenarios to include PacifiCorp in the Western Energy Imbalance Market failed to detail long-term impacts from the utility's coal fleet. 

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2016

NYISO: Despite efficiency, DER gains, new transmission needed for low-carbon grid

Efficiency and DERs are pushing down load, the grid operator said in a new report, but system upgrades will be needed to meet state clean energy goals. 

By Gavin Bade • July 7, 2016

New York Green Bank aims to grow portfolio by two-thirds next year

The bank aims to spur innovative reneweable energy projects that would otherwise have trouble attracting investment. 

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2016

Great Plains Energy subsidiary proposes 7.5% rate increase for Missouri customers

Missouri regulators are still debating a proposal from its parent company, Great Plains Energy, to take over Kansas utility Westar Energy. 

By Robert Walton • July 7, 2016

Indiana regulators approve Duke's $1.4B grid modernization plan

Regulators denied the utility's initial application last year, instructing Duke to provide more details and focus on electric grid projects.

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2016

California dreaming: Utilities uneasy with regulator's vision to remake their business model

Commissioner Florio wants a fundamental rethinking of utility revenues and distributed resources, but his proposal has critics on all sides.

By Peter Maloney • July 6, 2016

Inside the first municipal solar-plus-storage project in the US

The Village of Minster tackled a solar-plus-storage project to diversify its portfolio and now looks to build a microgrid to protect its key C&I customers from power outages. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 5, 2016