Connecticut regulators open investigation on Eversource, Avangrid pipeline practices

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) also sent a letter to FERC asking it to open a formal investigation into allegations that the two utilities artificially constrained pipeline capacity.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 17, 2017

Massachusetts AG reviewing report on Eversource, Avangrid constraining pipelines

While not a formal investigation, a spokesperson said Attorney General Maura Healey considers the report "concerning" and that it demands "careful assessment and analysis."    

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 17, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

California solar pilot shows how renewables can provide grid services

A utility-scale solar pilot project demonstrated how solar can compete with natural gas over grid services and cost. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 16, 2017

Responsible gas utility planning meets irresponsible market analysis

Thomas Kiley, CEO of the Northeast Gas Association, writes Eversource and Avangrid did nothing wrong on the Algonquin pipeline, where a new report accuses them of artificially withholding capacity.

By Thomas Kiley • Oct. 16, 2017

PREPA contractor: Progress slow, materials limited in power restoration

Less than 15% of Puerto Rico has power more than three weeks after Hurricane Maria, and Whitefish's progress updates depict a long restoration process to come. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 16, 2017

FERC approves Atlantic Coast, Mountain Valley, rejecting broader pipeline review

The orders filed late Friday argue FERC should act only on individual applications, stressing that regulators are "not engaged in regional planning."

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 16, 2017

California officials begin probing PG&E's role in massive wildfires

State regulators have directed Pacific Gas & Electric to preserve all evidence possibly related to a wind storm and subsequent fire.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2017

California wildfires leave 100K in the dark

Massive wildfires are burning through the state's Wine Country, claiming more than 20 lives and more than 3,500 structures. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 12, 2017

Transmission developers power forward in West as move to single market inches along

New lines are moving ahead and new deals are being closed, despite political pushback against California’s plan for a new regional market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 12, 2017

Eversource, Avangrid artificially constrained gas pipeline capacity for years, report argues

Withholding of pipeline capacity cost New England electricity customers $3.6 billion over the past three years, researchers estimate. Eversource called the report a “complete fabrication.”

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 11, 2017

How did Florida utilities do with Irma outages, PSC asks customers

The Public Service Commission invited customers to submit comments on how long it took to restore their power and how well their utility kept them informed throughout Hurricane Irma.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 11, 2017

A bipartisan view on modernizing the US electric grid

Congress must incentivize power industry innovations yielding cleaner and more customized energy services, the Republican and Democratic co-chairs of the Grid Innovation Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives write.

By Robert E. Latta, Jerry McNerney • Oct. 11, 2017

PREPA forgoes mutual aid, opting for little-known contractor

By the time municipal utilities gathered to offer assistance to the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, it had already signed on Montana-based Whitefish Energy to do grid repairs. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 10, 2017

Why utilities need to respond now to the EV boom

Utilities can either embrace electric vehicle growth or be caught "flat-footed" when new power demand materializes, an RMI report warns. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 9, 2017

FERC terminates inquiry on cybersecurity controls for grid control centers

The agency said current cybersecurity measures provide sufficient protection from cyberattacks and some of the proposed modifications could pose operational risks.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 6, 2017

A trio of storms could mean grid modernization in hard-hit areas

Florida, Puerto Rico and Texas all have an opportunity to reassess their power system.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2017

What's the weather forecast for your utility's brand reputation?

How comfortable a utility is in adopting an authentic, multi-channel communications approach is a major driver today in how well its brand weathers storms.

Oct. 5, 2017

Survey: Most utility executives say cybersecurity is a top concern

57% of the respondents to a new Accenture survey listed interruptions to the power supply from cyberattacks as their most serious concern.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 5, 2017

28 utilities join RESTORE program to boost grid resilience, reliability

The RESTORE program allows participants to share spare critical equipment to restore electrical service after catastrophic emergencies or significant natural events.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2017

Arizona coal plant may get new life as potential buyers emerge

Utilities with a stake in the 2,250 MW Navajo Generating Station planned to close it by 2019. But now it appears the facility will stay open longer. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 3, 2017

FERC eschews social cost of carbon measurement in new downstream analysis

The agency issued a new draft EIS for a pipeline project in response to the D.C. Circuit Court ruling, but said the social cost of carbon calculation is not appropriate for its analysis.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2017

Why it's time to fully embrace America's energy grid diversification

U.S. regulators should help drive more distributed resources into the grid, ICF's Philip Mihlmester writes, recommending how they can do so to the benefit of energy consumers and utilities.

By Philip Mihlmester • Sept. 29, 2017

PacifiCorp launches RFP for 1,270 MW of Wyoming wind

Projects must be capable of interconnecting with PacifiCorp’s Wyoming transmission system, but could also be located in Oregon or Utah.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2017

Connecticut energy plan raises tough questions on comparative resource valuation

Critics say the state's comprehensive energy plan falls short in capturing the full costs and benefits of energy technologies.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2017

$1B loan offer to struggling Puerto Rico utility may be rejected

If approved, the loan and a related debt discount would allow the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority to lower its total debt from $8.1 billion to roughly $7.95 billion, and apply for matching disaster funds from the federal government.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2017