LS Power, Pattern Energy, others behind 36 ‘ready-to-go’ transmission projects: report

Ten major transmission projects moving to construction is a sign of progress, but key challenges remain, Grid Strategies said in the report released Wednesday.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 13, 2023

Duke, AEP, Exelon among those primed to benefit from transmission investment: Moody’s

Despite the significant need for transmission investment, the credit ratings agency said siting and permitting “remains a bottleneck.”

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2023

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

Moody’s raises utility sector outlook to ‘stable’ while Bank of America remains cautious

Analysts at Bank of America say utility stocks are “close to fairly valued," with wildfires posing an existential threat to some.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2023

ERCOT forced to declare emergency conditions in extreme heat as Texas flirts with blackouts

Experts say battery resources may have kept the grid operator from declaring rolling blackouts amid low renewables output and high thermal outages.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2023

To spur clean energy, transmission buildout, NRDC calls for focus on affected communities

The Natural Resources Defense Council on Wednesday recommended steps to lift clean energy barriers, including quickly designating “national interest” transmission corridors.

By Ethan Howland • Sept. 7, 2023

How utilities are partnering with GM, BMW, Lyft and others in the auto sector to accelerate EV adoption

Automakers and utilities “are now partners until the end of time, whether they like it or not,” said Joel Levin, executive director of Plug In America.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2023

Eversource, National Grid file draft plans to meet expected demand surge from electrification

Eversource expects a 150% demand increase by 2050, while National Grid says its peak demand will double. The plans will be finalized and filed with regulators in January.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2023

Nearly 300K Southeastern customers without power after Idalia makes landfall as Category 3 hurricane

Utilities have already returned service to hundreds of thousands of affected customers, but damage assessments continued Thursday in hardest-hit areas.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2023

DOE offers $300M to boost transmission siting and permitting, support affected communities

Transmission systems will need to expand 60% by 2030 and potentially triple by 2050 to meet clean electricity and resiliency demands, DOE said, citing independent estimates.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 30, 2023

Amid record heat, CAISO’s day-ahead market is proving the value of a regional grid

Establishing the Extended Day-Ahead Market is a significant milestone, but we need to get to a true regional grid, a Western Regional Transmission Organization, to achieve maximum benefits. 

By Mona Tierney-Lloyd and Jack Wadleigh • Aug. 30, 2023

CAISO seeks FERC approval for Western day-ahead market, with 2025 start date

The grid operator’s proposal is a key step in developing electricity markets in the West but faces competition from the Southwest Power Pool.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 24, 2023

Hawaiian Electric eyes bankruptcy after Maui wildfires in ‘prudent scenario planning’

“Like any company in this situation would do, and as we do in the normal course of business, we are seeking advice from various experts,” Hawaiian Electric and its parent company said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 21, 2023

Texas grid weathers steamy week, 2 calls for conservation, as experts urge more efficiency investment

Efficiency advocates say Texas continues to underinvest in demand-side solutions that could help to reduce grid stress and lower monthly power bills.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2023

The IT iceberg: Hidden challenges to realizing the energy transition lurking beneath the surface

Utilities have ambitious clean energy goals, but existing IT infrastructure threatens to curtail progress — here’s how they can make moves.

By Rajiv Shah, Head of US Policy and Markets, Octopus Energy Group • Aug. 21, 2023

In hit to Ameren, Illinois governor vetoes right of first refusal for MISO transmission

The veto comes amid a fight over whether major transmission projects should be put out to bid or built by incumbent utilities.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 18, 2023

Xcel proposes $102M transmission upgrade, targeting major congestion relief in Midwest

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator system could see nearly $834 million in benefits, Xcel said.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 18, 2023

Hawaiian Electric faces financial, cost recovery risks from Maui wildfires: Moody’s

Unlike California, Hawai’i does not apply the legal doctrine of inverse condemnation to utilities. But the company could still be found to have been negligent as investigations unfold, Moody’s said.

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 16, 2023

Arizona regulators OK 10% Tucson Electric Power rate increase, eliminate EV incentive

Customer advocates at the Sierra Club called the decision “a blow” to ratepayers and lamented an amendment that limits support for coal communities.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2023

DOE proposes 2-year reviews for transmission projects on federal land

“Implementing a one-stop-shop for agency reviews and setting strict deadlines for this process will represent a fundamental leap forward,” ACEG’s Christina Hayes said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 11, 2023

A community solar boom will test Xcel, other utility plans against developer, customer needs: analysts

New state and federal funding and initiatives for community solar can bring equity and system reliability to the emerging energy transition, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 10, 2023

FERC approves ITC Midwest transmission incentive despite uncertainty over Iowa’s ROFR law

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision affects a $594 million transmission project between Iowa and Illinois approved by the Midcontinent grid operator.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 9, 2023

APS interconnection reforms should be rejected, RWE Clean Energy, trade groups tell FERC

Arizona Public Service’s proposal creates major burdens for renewable energy developers, including “impossible” commercial readiness requirements, the organizations told FERC.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 7, 2023

The imperative of free, green and secure wires reform

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must advance transmission planning reforms and bolster interconnection rules to improve grid reliability, lower consumer costs and cut power plant emissions.

By Devin Hartman and Jennie Chen • Aug. 7, 2023

Exelon utilities land $870M in PJM transmission projects as Q2 earnings slip

Exelon’s utilities are seeking $2.9 billion in rate increases, partly driven by state clean energy policies.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 3, 2023

Interregional transmission: The US is the tortoise, China is the hare

A failure to dramatically scale up interregional transmission capacity ensures the U.S. will fall further behind in the economic race with China.

By James McCalley • Aug. 1, 2023