Utility distribution systems 'increasingly at risk' for cyberattacks, GAO report concludes

Federal security requirements have focused on transmission and generation facilities, but a report from the Government Accountability Office warns of the vulnerability of utility distribution systems.

By Robert Walton • April 8, 2021

California tees up proposals to securitize $7.5B in PG&E wildfire costs

Without the securitization, "ratepayer costs will be higher as it will take PG&E longer to achieve investment grade credit ratings," according to the California Public Utilities Commission. 

By Kavya Balaraman • April 7, 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

How Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan could boost California's energy transition

Transmission investments could help California address reliability challenges and utility wildfire risk, experts say.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 6, 2021

Biden $2 trillion infrastructure proposal includes billions in spending on transmission, clean energy

The plan received wide-ranging support from climate and clean energy groups, but Republican leadership opposes its high price tag.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 1, 2021

State of the Electric Utility 2021

The 8th annual State of the Electric Utility Survey Report provides a pulse on industry trends from nearly 500 utility professionals, many at the VP level and above, along with insight from a broad range of industry experts.

By Nami Sumida • April 1, 2021

NYPA approves transmission line rebuild, targeting $447M in annual savings, 1 GW new capacity

National Grid has been tapped to execute portions of the project, which will enable renewable development in the northern part of New York.

By Robert Walton • March 31, 2021

Large consumers blame renewables for 2020 declines in C&I power reliability

A new survey finds 44% of companies lose power monthly or more frequently, and the problem is getting worse.

By Robert Walton • March 31, 2021

What's the biggest role for hydrogen in a clean energy economy? It depends who you ask

Hydrogen could play multiple roles in the clean energy transition, from decarbonizing heavy industry to expanding energy storage, industry experts agree. But visions diverge around questions of use and distribution.

By Emma Penrod • March 25, 2021

Biden to unveil multi-trillion dollar plan targeting power grids, other infrastructure next week

President Joe Biden will announce his multi-trillion dollar infrastructure package Wednesday in Pittsburgh, the White House announced yesterday.

By Joe Bousquin • Updated March 25, 2021

California's last nuclear plant is poised to shut down. What happens next?

A large amount of carbon-free energy will come offline once the Diablo Canyon power plant retires, raising questions around how the state will replace it.

By Kavya Balaraman • March 23, 2021

Tri-State's clean energy, cost reduction efforts have not quelled member exit interest

At least seven rural electric cooperatives want to know what it would cost to leave the service of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, and they say the utility is "stonewalling."

By Robert Walton • March 22, 2021

Bipartisan House lawmakers to reintroduce grid security bill after Texas outages, SolarWinds attack

The Grid Security Research and Development Act was passed last year by the House but was later withdrawn due to procedural issues.

By Robert Walton • March 19, 2021

Rhode Island court clears way for PPL acquisition of National Grid's Narragansett Electric

The Superior Court's decision followed a settlement agreement between PPL and the Rhode Island attorney general's office.

By Robert Walton • Updated May 24, 2022

Renewables industry questions whether Duke, Southern SEEM proposal would limit competition

In comments filed with federal regulators, stakeholders said utilities' proposal to create a Southeast Energy Exchange Market has the potential to bring more renewables onto the grid, if implemented correctly.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 17, 2021

Taking Charge: Commissioner Clements on FERC's 'make or break' role amid the energy transition

In a comprehensive interview with Utility Dive, Allison Clements laid out her thoughts on FERC's role following the mass outages in Texas, the need for transmission reform and more.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 16, 2021

Analysts point to $500B investment gap in climate resilience for electric utilities

Investor owned utilities in the U.S. are seeing a gap in investment to adequately prepare energy systems for a changing environment, ICF said in a new report.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 9, 2021

'A total mindshift': Utilities replace gas peakers, 'old school' demand response with flexible DERs

Utility-customer cooperation can balance renewables' variability with flexibility without using "blunt" demand response or natural gas.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 8, 2021

Xcel proposes $1.7B transmission investment in Colorado to unlock nearly 5.5 GW new renewables

The proposal would allow the utility to reduce emissions in its Colorado territory by an estimated 85% below 2005 levels by 2030.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 4, 2021

House Democrats introduce bill with pathway to 100% clean energy by 2035

The bill would include major changes to the Federal Power Act and the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, and require economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 3, 2021

Texas must increase ties to the national grid and DER to avoid another power catastrophe, analysts say

Planning for inter-regional transmission and distributed resources could do what ERCOT's competitive, energy-only market didn't – keep the heat and lights on, energy advisors say.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2021

National Academies call on Congress to address 'persistent under-investment in electric innovation'

NASEM's report recommends that the U.S. double government spending on energy research to keep pace with the need for new grid technologies and other nations.

By Emma Penrod • Feb. 26, 2021

To catalyze transmission development, end the utility protection racket

Current policies reinforce an anachronistic approach that fails to spur the regional projects needed to decarbonize the power sector and mitigate extreme weather impacts, writes Harvard Electricity Law Initiative's Ari Peskoe.

By Ari Peskoe • Feb. 25, 2021

The real problem in Texas: Deregulation

In a deregulated market, one where one company generates power, another delivers it, and another sells it, there’s little incentive not to cut corners, the author writes.

By Paul Griffin • Feb. 24, 2021

Texas grid operator makes progress restoring power, will end emergency conditions today

Utilities can now restore service to any load dropped during Texas' massive outage, but some are still struggling with ice damage.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 19, 2021

FERC to reopen 1999 policy on gas project approvals, add environmental justice considerations

Though the vote was unanimous, commissioners had differing opinions on the necessity of proceeding, and to what extent policy should change.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 19, 2021