The Utility Dive Awards for 2019

The annual awards highlight the biggest trends in innovation in the electric utility sector: from penciling out electrification efforts to pioneering new revenue streams for distributed resources.

Dec. 9, 2019

PG&E failed to properly inspect tower that caused Camp Fire: CPUC safety investigators

Gaps in the utility's infrastructure maintenance were "indicative of an overall pattern of inadequate inspection and maintenance of PG&E's transmission facilities," according to a new report.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 4, 2019

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

Southwest Power Pool launches reliability coordinator services in Western interconnection

The operator says it is the first regional transmission organization to provide reliability coordinator services in the Eastern and Western interconnections.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 4, 2019

California proposal rejects wildfire premium in PG&E, other utilities' ROE

Regulators said recent state legislation removed the need for a premium by eliminating wildfire risk exposure for investor-owned utilities.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 4, 2019

Can new transmission tech boost capacity and save billions? Two proposals aim to find out

Advocates are pushing a "shared savings" approach to incentivize deployment, but system operators have doubts.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 3, 2019

Third time's a charm? New Hampshire legislators work to break impasse on net metering

Senate Bill 159 would grow the state's net metering program and could see a vote in early January. But supporters expect a veto should the legislation reach the governor's desk without further changes.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 3, 2019

Boulder makes $94M 'final offer' for Xcel Energy assets, in bid to avoid condemnation

Boulder has been ramping up a series of offers for the assets needed to create a municipal utility, and is ready to go back to court if Xcel rejects the latest one.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 27, 2019

Despite changes, commissioners see traditional utility system dominating over next decade: NARUC

U.S. utility commissioners agree that traditional fossil fuel generation will be an important aspect of grid reliability over the next decade, according to a NARUC survey.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 26, 2019

Small, regional utilities located near critical infrastructure targeted in cyberattack: WSJ

Smaller electric utilities may be at higher risk of an attack because they lack the robust security infrastructure of larger power providers, according to experts.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 26, 2019

ISO New England chief presses for carbon price in response to Sanders, Warren and others

A carbon price would be a "simple and easily-implemented mechanism" to speed renewables onto the grid, Gordon van Welie wrote, while noting that the region's states oppose its use within wholesale electricity markets.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 25, 2019

PG&E says power shutoffs averted hundreds of fire risks, but cities blast lack of coordination

The utility did not tell San Jose officials which geographical areas would lose power and did not allow Sonoma County representatives into its emergency operations center, among other concerns for local officials.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 25, 2019

California groups challenge Sempra rate decisions allowing recovery of 'charitable contributions'

The decisions, involving San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas, break with decades of precedent, according to The Utility Reform Network and other advocates.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2019

Hawaii regulators call out HELCO cost controls in initial rate hike denial

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission's interim order denied a modest revenue increase for Hawaii Electric Light Co. An evidentiary hearing is slated for next month, and the decision could be changed.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 19, 2019

Time to move away from old precedents in FERC pipeline reviews

Maintaining the status quo does not engender confidence that FERC is only approving pipeline projects that are truly needed, consistent with the “public convenience and necessity,” writes Analysis Group's Sue Tierney.

By Sue Tierney • Nov. 19, 2019

NERC's simulated grid attack leaves thousands of New York customers in hypothetical darkness

The biennial security event, GridEx, highlighted the electric sector's continued dependency on natural gas pipelines.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2019

CPUC demands PG&E defend power shut-off actions, launches investigation into all IOUs

Regulators want PG&E to show why it should not be fined for violating communication protocols during planned outages in October and November. It could be fined up to $100,000 for each offense.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 14, 2019

How does AI improve grid performance? No one fully understands and that's limiting its use

Machine learning's greatest impact will be helping algorithms understand "how the voltage here affects the voltage there," which will enable "optimizing grid operations like dispatching battery storage," one industry executive said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 14, 2019

Entergy Texas, Georgia Power lead on business customer satisfaction amid growing divide: JD Power

While satisfaction is rising, the marketing research company found the gap between the highest- and lowest-performing utilities is now at a 13-year high.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2019

Cuomo threatens to revoke National Grid's license to provide gas in NYC due to hookup moratorium

The governor's actions also affect the credit ratings of Consolidated Edison and other New York utilities, because it suggests "a heightened willingness to intervene in utility regulation," Moody's Investors Service said Nov. 18.​

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Nov. 19, 2019

Simulated grid attacks prepped in US amid mounting cyber risks, shortage of security talent

The North American Electric Reliability Corp. GridEx simulation will be followed by DOE's university-focused CyberForce Competition, with both aiming to improve security around the nation's electric system.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2019

PG&E raises wildfire compensation offer to $13.5B as California turns up pressure

Gov. Gavin Newsom had asked a bankruptcy judge to delay a previous, smaller deal to compensate wildfire victims. And more cities are asking for a public takeover of the embattled utility.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2019

California proposes extending 4.8 GW gas capacity as bridge to 3.3 GW of new clean energy by 2023

The state's newly authorized procurement aims to have renewables-plus-storage and standalone storage compete well against other resources, along with energy efficiency and demand response resources.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 11, 2019

Tri-State faces growing member rebellion, challenges at Colorado PUC

Tri-State Generation & Transmission's largest member, United Power, has asked Colorado regulators to establish a fair exit charge that would allow the cooperative to procure cleaner and cheaper power. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2019

Hawaii regulators audit HECO management as utility targets Oahu rate increase

The review "may present opportunities for HECO to realize operational efficiencies, better manage costs and improve its financial condition," the PUC said in its order calling for the audit.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2019

Florida eases financing for billions in storm hardening spending, retains energy efficiency program

The Public Service Commission voted on Tuesday to allow utilities to bypass the stringent rate review previously required to add storm expenses to base rates.

By Lynn Freehill-Maye • Nov. 6, 2019