Duke-Piedmont deal clears final regulatory hurdle

The North Carolina Utilities Commission approval was the last hurdle left to move the deal forward. It is expected to close on Monday.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2016

Following New York's lead, Maryland targets electric distribution transformation

Utility regulators plan to zero in on renewables and electric vehicle integration, rate design and affordability.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2016

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

Boulder drops push for Xcel assets in new supplemental application

The plan calls for more than $265 million in spending to condemn some assets and construct others, but would not provide service outside the city limits.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 29, 2016

Xcel, 10 utilities near completion of CapX2020 transmission project

The group has invested almost $2 billion to construct four transmission line projects totaling nearly 725 miles. A fifth will come online next year.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2016

'Eyes wide open': Despite climate risks, utilities bet big on natural gas

Scientists say the United States can't build much more fossil fuel infrastructure if it wants to meet the Paris climate goals. So why are utilities going all-in on gas?

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2016

Settlement between bidders, Great Plains Energy opens possibility of bidding war for Westar

The settlement removed provisions in the original process that barred potential bidders from entering a higher bids. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2016

ConEd reaches settlement on $200M rate increase, boosts efficiency spending

The deal has support from environmental advocates, including $99 million for new energy efficiency programs over the next three years.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2016

How Southern California Edison's new rate case would transform the grid

SCE wants to spend $2.3 billion to ready its grid for distributed resources. Here's what that money would buy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2016

MISO proposes $2.76B transmission investment in 2016 expansion plan

The Midcontinent ISO transmission expansion plan includes 394 individual transmission projects.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2016

United Illuminating proposes $49.9M rate increase for storm upgrades

The utility is planning four projects aimed at hardening its grid from storm-related damage on top of another proposed $100 million rate increase. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2016

As utilities ramp up gas, Enbridge play for Spectra highlights increasing value of pipelines

Utilities are using more gas and pipelines are getting harder to build, meaning existing gas transportation is getting more lucrative.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2016

Missouri PSC approves $11.3B Fortis acquisition of ITC

The deal would be transformative for Canadian Fortis, making U.S. assets account for 62% of the company’s revenues.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 16, 2016

SCE taps Tesla for 80 MWh storage project to deal with Aliso Canyon gas shortage

For a time, the Tesla project is expected to be the largest lithium ion battery storage project in operation.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 16, 2016

Will utilities fully unlock the value that rate change offers?

Innovative rate designs have the potential to create significant value for the utility industry and its customers by building new avenues for improving customer satisfaction.

By Gavin Novotny • Sept. 16, 2016

Solar Power Players: SEPA honorees look beyond the rooftop to manage dynamic grids

Distributed solar is just the first challenge coming to the grid edge. These utilities are tackling what's next.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 12, 2016

Xcel Energy reaches settlement on 600 MW Colorado wind farm

The agreement also allows Xcel to pursue an earlier construction schedule for the proposed Pawnee-Daniel Park Transmission Project pending regulatory approval. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2016

Electricity choice on the chopping block in Michigan as state debates reliability, renewables

Clean energy and efficiency could be the key to unlocking a bitter dispute over reliability and choice in the Great Lakes State. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 8, 2016

Uncle Sam's battery bank: ARPA-E spurs commercialization of innovative storage technology

The DOE is touting the success of its ARPA-E program for funding advanced technologies: $1.3 billion funded; $1.2 billion raised from private sources.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 7, 2016

Confidence in collaboration: Rhode Island targets a common perspective on DER values

Facing an impasse over DER rate design, Rhode Island regulators have initiated a new proceeding to find common ground on measures and expectations for distributed energy programs.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 6, 2016

Southern California Edison proposes $2.1B capex for DER integration

SCE did not provide forecast ranges for total capital expenditures through 2020, saying it has no prior experience with rate cases related to DER integration. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2016

Northeast utilities prepare for threat from tropical storm Hermine

The storm was downgraded from a hurricane this weekend, but it's still about 140 miles off the coast of Nantucket and moving west. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2016

Texas low-income ratepayer assist program ends after funds run out

Three years ago, lawmakers rescinded a surcharge that funded a program aimed at helping 700,000 low-income ratepayers pay their electrical bill. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2016

Winds of change: How the industry can continue wind power's boom into the 2020s

Better grid integration and lower tech costs will be key to continuing wind's record growth, but big market and policy obstacles are looming. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 1, 2016

NREL: Eastern Interconnect can handle 30% renewable energy

A new study says the Eastern U.S. grid could add another 400 GW of wind and solar power using existing technologies and grid management practices.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 1, 2016

PNM presses state regulators for a decision on rate increase request

Public Service Co. of New Mexico had requested a $123 million rate increase, but the proposal has been suspended through the end of next month.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2016