Critical security flaws found at Los Angeles muni 15 years after warning report

Security recommendations included in a 2001 report still have not been implemented at Los Angeles Department of Water and Power transmission sites, according to a recent report by consultant firm Navigant. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2016

New York Gov. Cuomo unveils $5B clean energy fund

The New York State Public Service Commission approved the plan, which aims to support state efforts to reach 50% renewables by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Grid Resiliency

The risk from natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires and heat waves is compounded by rising demand for power that threatens to put additional strain on the grid, as well as cyber and physical attacks on critical infrastructure.

By Utility Dive staff

East Coast utilities prepare for 'potentially crippling' winter storm

With up to 2 feet predicted for some major metropolitan areas, utilities are scrambling and reinforcements from outside the region are on the way.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2016

Can utilities learn to love distributed solar like central station arrays?

Utility-scale solar has become mainstream among U.S. power providers, but persisting questions around cost and valuation are masking further opportunties in the distributed generation space, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016

ISO/RTO model best alternative to Hawaiian Electric service, Maui report concludes

A report commissioned by leaders in Maui County, Hawaii, suggests forming an independent system operator to take over grid operations from the investor-owned utility. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016

Kansas bill to defund transmission authority raises alarm with wind energy advocates

A bill to cut funding to the Kansas Electric Transmission Authority, established in 2005 to spur the development of the state's transmission infrastructure, is really part of an effort to combat wind generation in the state, critics say.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2016

REV in 2016: The year that could transform utility business models in New York

While utilities probably won’t shift to new revenue and business models under REV this year, just how they plan to meet the goals of the groundbreaking reform initiative could become much clearer in the coming months.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 20, 2016

Southwest Power Pool study shows it can reliably manage 60% wind penetration

The grid operator needs new wires and tools to add 4,700 MW of wind by 2017, a new report shows.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 20, 2016

DOE proposes $220M for multi-year grid modernization effort

The $220 million spread over three years will focus on grid edge research, including advanced storage systems and clean energy integration.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 19, 2016

J.D. Power: Business customer satisfaction with utilities at 8-year high

Improvements in communications, corporate citizenship and prices mean business customers are happier with their utilities than they have been in nearly a decade.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2016

PG&E tried to dispose of safety records on San Bruno explosion, federal attorneys say

A former employee hired to improve record keeping reportedly found key safety records in a dumpster outside a company natural gas facility.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 15, 2016

Ukraine cyberattacks, blackouts heighten fears of US grid vulnerabilities

Recent cyberattacks which caused blackounts in Ukraine have raised fears that the United States' electric grid would be unprepared to respond to a similar scenario.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2016

Iowa regulators deny Clean Line's third request to change transmission approval process

The developer wants the leverage of a permitted line before it seeks the right of eminent domain. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 14, 2016

Dominion Virginia Power commits $700M to solar in long-term resource plan

Virginia regulators use regulatory process to push the utility toward a bigger resource mix. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2016

Renewed fight over bid Oregon town's bid for public power brewing

A group seeking to create a public utility district has submitted a ballot initiative to the Klamath County Commission in Oregon, but PacifiCorp subsidiary Pacific Power says it will oppose any efforts to take over its infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2016

Austin Energy poised to launch new distributed energy management system

Austin Energy is preparing to introduce a new distributed energy management system  "Austin Shines," with a formal launch in February.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 11, 2016

Vermont regulators approve new line to bring Canadian renewables to New England

The New England Clean Power Link will carry 1,000 MW of capacity under Lake Champlain.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 11, 2016

Illinois landowners push regulators to rethink $2B Grain Belt Express transmission line

The permit allows Grain Belt Express line connecting Kansas wind to the East to use eminent domain. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 5, 2016

Report: Extreme weather power outages rising in US

The frequency of power outages caused by extreme weather is on the rise, according to new analysis from the Associated Press.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 5, 2016

Colorado regulators affirm decision rejecting part of Boulder's muni plan

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is allowing the city and Xcel Energy to develop solutions to allow Boulder's planned municipal power agency to move forward.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2016

FERC proposed decision would cut MISO transmission returns about 2%

A proposed decision would cut the rate of return for transmission-owning utilties in the Midwest from more than 12% to 10.3%, possibly resulting in refunds.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2016

Alaska Railbelt utilities progress on forming single transmission operator

A half dozen utilities serving the bulk of Alaska's population are working to develop a single entity responsible for the railbelt region's transmission system.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2016

New York regulators vote to upgrade 'antiquated' transmission system

The proposed upgrades will provide $1.20 in benefits for every $1 spent, regulators say.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 23, 2015

PJM approves $490M transmission investment

The regional grid operator is now closing in on $30 billion in transmission investment in the last 15 years.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 23, 2015

Germany's Sonnen takes on Tesla Powerwall in the U.S.

Germany's Sonnen said last week that it is shipping its first storage units to the U.S. market. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 21, 2015