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

Explore the Trendline➔

AI in the Power Sector

Artificial intelligence is uniquely positioned to impact the electricity industry from both ends: as the technology driving large load demand growth and as a tool with the potential to make the power system more efficient. 

By Utility Dive staff

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

Berkshire Hathaway, Duke Energy among 6 companies launching transmission equipment company

Marketing and accepting subscribers begins immediately. Finding a company headquarters is still in the works.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2016

ComEd jumps on the demand charge train with new Illinois proposal

Residential demand charges have been most popular in the Southwest, but the Chicago-based utility features them prominently in a new legislative push.

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2016

Updated: Exelon says 2 nuke plants on the line in sweeping new Illinois energy bill

The Next Generation Energy Plan, announced yesterday, would touch virtually every aspect of the state's power industry. Without it, Exelon plans to retire two challenged nuclear plants.

By Peter Maloney • May 6, 2016

$1.5B underwater transmission project proposed to ship renewables to NYC

Empire State Connector wants to build an underwater, 1,000 MW transmission line to bring renewable power into New York City.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2016

DOE's new $25M solar fund seeks development of distributed energy grid solutions

The ENERGISE program, part of the Department of Energy's SunShot initiative, seeks to fund grid technologies to manage high penetrations of distributed energy on utility systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 4, 2016