Missouri munis contract for 200 MW of space on proposed Grain Belt Express line

The new off-takers may strengthen the merchant transmission developer’s appeal to state regulators, who denied it the power of eminent domain last year. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 6, 2016

FERC: Rooftop solar, battery storage could pose threats to reliability

As distributed resources spread, the line between federal and state jurisdiction over power assets needs to be re-evaluated, experts at a FERC technical conference said. 

By Robert Walton • June 3, 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

Pennsylvania utility launches time-of-use pilot

Duquesne Light will provide customers with access to their energy usage in hourly increments, as part of the advanced metering project.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2016

The head of California's ISO is on a mission to regionalize and decarbonize

CAISO CEO Steve Berberich wants help from utilities in bridging California’s borders and moving beyond 50% renewables.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2016

Efficiency, distributed resources save California customers $192M

The state is beginning to look at new revenue models that would encourage utilities to invest in projects they might have avoided in the past.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2016

NH regulators delay Eversource proposed Northern Pass transmission line

The delay could have consequences for Massachusetts' clean energy goals and efforts to replace retired nuclear and fossil fuel generation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2016

Great Plains Energy to buy rival Kansas utility Westar for $8.6B

The deal would give Great Plains, which owns Kansas City Power & Light, more than 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri and over 13 GW of total generation.

By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2016

Survey: 60% of US energy executives expect 50% renewables by 2045

A new survey by KPMG Global Energy Institute also finds more than 90% of executives expect to be involved in a merger or acquisition in the next two years.

By Robert Walton • May 31, 2016

SPP CEO: Regionalization, transmission help push renewables penetration near 50%

Southwest Power Pool CEO Nick Brown says he sees solar, storage and more footprint expansion coming in the next five years.

By Gavin Bade • May 26, 2016

Across the 'valley of death': How the wind industry will cope without tax credits

Tax incentives are spurring so much renewables growth that states could meet their Clean Power Plan targets ahead of the compliance period. That could mean a slowdown for the wind industry, which was counting on the regulatory package to sustain growth. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 25, 2016

Wisconsin utility proposes rate hikes for residential customers, but trims C&I bills

The requests for rate hikes will help pay for environmental upgrades at two coal-fired facilities in Wisconsin, Alliant Energy says. 

By Robert Walton • May 24, 2016

The U.S. needs more transmission. One Midwest project could provide a collaborative model.

A new report outlines how 11 utilities leaped big hurdles to build the 800-mile CapX2020 project.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 23, 2016

New York PSC enacts new revenue models for utilities in REV proceeding

Utilities in the Empire State have new options to earn revenue, though the traditional cost-of-service model was preserved by regulators as well.

By Gavin Bade • May 20, 2016

DOE releases comprehensive overview of efforts to cut solar costs

The SunShot program is 5 years into its 10 year run and 70% of the way to cutting solar cost to $0.06/kWh.  

By Herman K. Trabish • May 20, 2016

Power sector preparing for EMP attack among grid risks, EEI official tells Senate

The power sector is working with the federal government to harden the grid against a potential electromagnetic pulse attack, and to develop restoration strategies in the event one is successful.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2016

Hunt withdraws previously-approved bid to acquire Oncor

Though Hunt says it is still trying to salvage a deal, the door could be open for other suitors, like NextEra.

By Gavin Bade • May 19, 2016

Xcel Colorado files for 600 MW wind project, the state's biggest ever installation

The utility wants to build the Rush Creek Wind facility in time to earn 100% of the federal tax credit.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 17, 2016

UES Electric drops mandatory demand charge proposal, except for new solar customers

Residential demand charges would still be mandatory for new rooftop solar customers, who would also see higher fixed monthly fees and lower net metering rates under the proposed rate plan.

By Peter Maloney • May 17, 2016

What SolarCity's new portfolio of grid services can do for utilities

The dominant residential solar installer is moving beyond the rooftop in a bid to become an essential partner for utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 16, 2016

Renewables advocates ask Minnesota regulators to streamline DER interconnection

Their proposal calls for fast-tracking small distributed generation and simpler fees.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 16, 2016

Updated: EPA finalizes methane rules for new oil and gas facilities

The new rule was decried by oil and gas companies but was welcomed by environmentalists, who have long pushed for stricter methane regulations.

By Gavin Bade • May 13, 2016

CAISO: Renewables market in Western EIM grows

Energy transfers across the balancing areas are lowering supply costs, and the California ISO has become a net exporter of energy.

By Robert Walton • May 12, 2016

American Transmission Co. reorganizes, splitting Wisconsin, national development arms

Reorganization will protect Wisconsin customers and allow ATC to move ahead on out-of-state builds, the company says.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 12, 2016

Wyoming lawmakers to consider raising the only US state tax on wind generation

Lawmakers say they want to make tax rates for renewables and fossil fuel generation comparable, but wind developers claim they already pay higher rates.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 11, 2016

Better together: How an organized market can help clean up the western US grid

Today 38 separate balancing authorities deliver power out West. A new paper says a single market would be more efficient.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 11, 2016