NYPA and Argonne launch hyperlocalized study of climate change impact on power plants

The New York Power Authority wants to focus on the impact climate change could have on individual power plants and infrastructure.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Aug. 10, 2021

FERC requests more evidence of reliability impacts as Spire STL pipeline seeks temporary approval

Environmental groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund, which brought the pipeline company to court in the first place, say the proposal for temporary certification has "serious deficiencies."

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 10, 2021

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

[Podcast] Ensuring Grid Resilience in a Time of Change

This 3-part podcast series provides you with expert insights into the questions and topics utilities need to address to properly harden their systems for a future full of change.

By Utility Dive's studioID • Aug. 9, 2021

Is small customer demand response dead in Texas?

Price-responsive demand benefits all customers, not just those that participate in these programs, by reducing wholesale market prices and the need for involuntary load curtailments, the author writes.

By Robert Borlick • Aug. 9, 2021

The US power sector is halfway to net zero emissions, but it gets harder now, analysts say

Renewables led the power sector's recent energy transition, but breakthroughs are needed to take the transportation, building and industrial sectors to net zero emissions by mid-century.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2021

Bipartisan $1 trillion Senate infrastructure bill focuses on transmission, nuclear, carbon capture

"While there is much to celebrate in this product of our bipartisan efforts, more work still needs to be done," Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., who leads the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, said Monday.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 3, 2021

Xcel plans to roll out 10,000 MW of renewable energy in Minnesota, Colorado by 2030

Xcel Energy is accelerating plans to cut its carbon emissions in Minnesota, the utility's home base, and is also gearing up for a major transition, with longtime CEO Ben Fowke slated to retire on Aug. 18.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 30, 2021

Pipeline operators raise concerns over aggressive TSA cybersecurity directives

Many of the agency's directives are rooted in basic cybersecurity hygiene, not necessarily lengthy digital transformation efforts, the TSA administrator said. 

By Samantha Schwartz • July 30, 2021

PG&E forecasts 'probable' loss from July Dixie fire as CEO Poppe highlights plan to bury power lines

Company executives provided details during Thursday's Q2 earnings call on their sweeping plan to bury 10,000 miles of power lines underground in an attempt to reduce wildfire risk in PG&E's service territory.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 29, 2021

Murkowski highlights potential boost to US critical minerals ahead of bipartisan infrastructure deal

Senators voted 67-32 to advance the latest version of the bipartisan infrastructure deal, securing the support of 17 Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 29, 2021

Spire STL warns FERC 'lives at risk' if pipeline not able to operate following DC Circuit ruling

The pipeline developer requested federal regulators grant it a temporary certificate of public convenience and necessity while they sort out the fallout from a June ruling that vacated the pipeline's ability to operate.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 29, 2021

Biden orders voluntary cybersecurity performance goals for electric utilities, other critical sectors

The president on Wednesday signed a national security memorandum that also expands and formally establishes a cross-sector Industrial Control System Cybersecurity Initiative, which was piloted by the electric sector.

By Robert Walton • July 29, 2021

DOE says new building codes to cut energy costs by $138B, but EV backers see failure to advance charging

A requirement that new homes be wired for electric vehicle charging was not included in the final version after the National Association of Home Builders argued such provisions are outside the scope of the codes.

By Robert Walton • July 28, 2021

House grills FERC about commission's regulatory authority on cybersecurity, pipeline climate impacts

"There's no doubt that ... the biggest threat facing the electric grid today is cybersecurity," FERC Chair Richard Glick said during a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 28, 2021

A brighter day for distribution co-ops? FERC's Tri-State proceeding and reformation of the G&T model

Stakeholders might not look to Tupac Shakur in the first instance when analyzing the troubles of the generation and transmission model. But recent developments at FERC suggest perhaps they should, the authors write.

By Ray Gifford and Matt Larson • July 27, 2021

Berkshire Hathaway Energy 'not where we want to be' on cybersecurity, says executive

Assessment of risk and strategy depends on the technologies or services companies use for vulnerability alerts, according to energy executives during a Dragos webcast.

By Samantha Schwartz • July 27, 2021

NextEra adds 1,840 MW renewables and storage to more than 15 GW backlog in Q2

NextEra Energy is nearing the halfway mark in its campaign to roll out 30 million solar panels across Florida by 2030, the multistate utility said Friday in its second quarter earnings report. 

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 26, 2021

EPRI-NERC partner to improve resilience, resource adequacy after Texas and California blackouts

The Electric Power Research Institute is working to identify "adequacy assessment metrics and criteria for low-carbon systems" and develop models for future climate and extreme weather scenarios.

By Robert Walton • July 26, 2021

AEP seeing 'credible interest' from potential buyers of Kentucky Power subsidiary, CEO says

AEP is ramping up its push to build more renewable generation, executives said Thursday, as the company detailed an increase in second quarter earnings amid a rebounding economy and interest in its Kentucky subsidiary.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 23, 2021

Avangrid touts green hydrogen proposals under DOE initiative, raises 2021 earnings outlook

Avangrid filed several proposals with the Department of Energy, including a plan to build a 20 MW electrolyzer and hydrogen storage complex in Connecticut, to be powered by offshore wind and other renewable sources.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 22, 2021

As Pepco outlines plan to meet DC climate goals, consumer advocates say equity must be a focus

The utility must establish by October whether an upcoming suite of climate-focused proposals will be eligible for new performance incentives.

By Robert Walton • July 21, 2021

Avangrid, PNM report progress with merger critics as criminal probe of Iberdrola raises new questions

As the utilities work to win over the remaining critics of their proposed $8.3 billion merger, the New Mexico hearing examiner wants more information about a criminal investigation into the activities of Avangrid's parent company.

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 21, 2021

Cost allocation remains key challenge for FERC ahead of transmission reform, Glick says

"When you're talking about money — when you're talking about who pays and how much — that's always a difficult issue," FERC Chair Richard Glick said in an interview with Utility Dive.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 20, 2021

PG&E equipment may be linked with another Northern California wildfire, utility reports

California officials collected portions of a PG&E 12 kV power line, including conductors, jumpers and insulators, as part of their investigation into the fire, the utility reported to state regulators. 

By Kavya Balaraman • July 20, 2021

Gridlock in transmission queues spotlights need for FERC action on planning

FERC is calling for stakeholder input to address the backlog in transmission queues holding 70% of the renewables needed for Biden's policy goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 19, 2021