FERC accepts Tri-State exit fee methodology as jurisdiction battle looms with Colorado

Tri-State and its member cooperatives looking to leave its service territory are at odds over whether federal or state regulators should have the final say on exit fees. Observers say the battle will likely reach the courts.

By Robert Walton • June 16, 2020

PG&E to plead guilty on 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter ahead of bankruptcy court decision

At a hearing this morning, the Butte County, California, District Attorney will show photographs of all the people who died in the 2018 Camp Fire.

By Robert Walton • June 16, 2020

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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

Supreme Court lifts major hurdle to $7.5B Atlantic Coast Pipeline

Pipeline opponents say Duke and Dominion have many more barriers to overcome on the long-delayed project. Dominion requested a two-year extension on the project on Tuesday.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated June 18, 2020

California utilities, regulators aim to hasten microgrid deployment ahead of wildfire season

Pacific Gas and Electric plans to have 73 microgrids operational by the end of 2020, which are viewed by California commissioners as part of a multifaceted approach to wildfire preparation.

By Emma Penrod • June 15, 2020

Utility ransomware attacks becoming more sophisticated, new 'honeypot' operation finds

Cybereason created a fake industrial control network to study how hackers target utilities. "It is only a matter of time before a catastrophic event occurs," the Boston-based security firm concluded.

By Robert Walton • June 15, 2020

New York's economy is slowly reopening, but electricity demand remains clipped due to COVID-19

The grid operator for New York anticipates annual electricity consumption for 2020 will be 6% to 7% lower than previously forecast, due to the coronavirus pandemic — with increasing amounts supplied by carbon-free resources.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2020

FERC prohibits pipeline construction, allows land seizures as court weighs 'legal purgatory' of rehearing delays

Federal regulators issued an order that prevents developers from beginning construction while a request for rehearing is pending.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 11, 2020

Trump's grid security order sows confusion in power sector — but don't expect a quick fix

The executive order limits the installation of bulk power system equipment sourced from foreign adversaries, but experts say the vague wording has the industry 'freaked out.'

By Robert Walton • June 10, 2020

DC to investigate distributed resource ownership issues as part of grid modernization effort

Regulators also decided to consider performance-based regulation within Potomac Electric Power's ongoing rate case, drawing concerns that regulators are taking a "piecemeal" approach to grid modernization.

By Robert Walton • June 9, 2020

FERC plans technical conference to tackle long-term energy sector impacts of COVID-19

The commission will examine operational challenges, electricity demand and transmission planning impacts, and the effects on the sector's access to capital, including credit, liquidity and returns on equity.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2020

When storms collide: Utilities' new approach to hurricane restoration in the age of COVID-19

The spread of the novel coronavirus has forced Duke, FPL and other utilities to alter their approach to storm restoration, utilizing smaller crews and more remote work while keeping a close eye on worker health.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2020

The 3 key challenges to expanding the West's real-time energy market to day-ahead trading

Driven by new Western state renewables and zero emissions mandates, the 11 active participants and nine new applicants in the Energy Imbalance Market are pushing to expand it to day-ahead trading.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 3, 2020

Outdated NEPA needs modernizing. Just ask Warren Buffett

As the U.S. economy prepares to recover from the current crisis, important job and revenue-creating proposals like the 1,000 mile Gateway West transmission project don’t need to languish in a regulatory morass, the author writes.

By Paul Griffin • June 3, 2020

As PG&E highlights potential need for fossil fuels to address power shutoffs, groups press for more storage

The California Public Utilities Commission will vote on PG&E's proposal, as well as other measures to accelerate the deployment of microgrids, on June 11. 

By Kavya Balaraman • June 2, 2020

Taking Charge: Coronavirus has disrupted much of ComEd, but some things don't change, COO Donnelly says

As the utility’s workforce ages, the Exelon subsidiary can’t pause its hiring and worker certifications during the pandemic, says President and Chief Operating Officer Terry Donnelly.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 26, 2020

Got to have a code: Co-ops, The Wire's Omar Little, and the struggle to exit G&T providers

HBO's The Wire and rural electric cooperatives are rarely mentioned in the same breath, but both prestige dystopian television show characters and cooperatives purport to live by a code, the authors write.

By Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • May 22, 2020

Ameren capitalizes as FCC enables new generation of utility communications networks, grid mod

The commission's decision to make six megahertz of low-band spectrum available for the development of wireless technologies also allows electric utilities to earn a rate of return on networks developed in-house, say experts.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2020

Colorado ALJ clears way for Tri-State exit fee determinations

Some Tri-State Generation and Transmission members want to exit its service in search of a cleaner and cheaper generation mix, but new analysis from Rocky Mountain Institute indicates the utility is already transitioning away from coal.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2020

PG&E appeals new probation conditions, asserting they'll 'undermine wildfire safety'

U.S. District Judge William Alsup placed a stay on the conditions that he had imposed on the utility and scheduled a hearing on the issue for May 28.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 18, 2020

Texas regulators tamp down authority of proposed cybersecurity monitor

State lawmakers "never suggested there was any intention to create a new investigatory entity with oversight authority over monitored utilities," Oncor Electric told regulators earlier this year.

By Robert Walton • Updated May 19, 2020

New England takes key step to 1.2 GW of Quebec hydro as Maine approves transmission line

Massachusetts regulators have approved contracts for the state's utilities to buy 9,554,940 MWh annually from Hydro-Quebec, which the state expects will provide $4 billion in total benefits to ratepayers over 20 years.

By Robert Walton • May 12, 2020

Great River Energy to exit coal, close 1.15 GW plant, but North Dakota governor vows rescue

Gov. Doug Burgum, R, called the generation and transmission provider's decision "disappointing" and promised to "find a path forward for Coal Creek Station" to maintain the jobs and baseload power it provides.

By Robert Walton • May 11, 2020

As electric vehicles gain speed, utilities power up

  Utilities are critical stakeholders in the new energy ecosystem. The question remains, will power supplies be ready?

By Maryline Daviaud Lewett • May 8, 2020

Trump's security order could have 'chilling effect,' slow smart grid deployment, experts say

An executive order issued May 1 by the White House effectively blocks the power sector from sourcing grid components from China, say trade and cybersecurity attorneys and consultants.

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2020

DC Circuit grills NARUC, FERC on whether Order 841 will harm state ability to regulate distribution

The fundamental question for judges is whether FERC's landmark energy storage order will harm states' ability to operate the safety and reliability of their distribution systems.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 6, 2020