Top Arizona regulator spurs retail choice progress, pushes for rule drafting

The Arizona Corporation Commission had closed its retail electric competition docket in 2013, following the opposition of Arizona Public Service.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 16, 2019

PG&E fights for control of its future, access to new wildfire fund

Pacific Gas & Electric told a bankruptcy court this week it is "uniquely positioned" to develop its own reorganization plan, which it pledged to file by Sept. 9.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 15, 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

ERCOT reserves drop below 2,300 MW, forcing Texas grid to call for energy emergency

Demand sent prices soaring and forced the grid operator to issue the emergency alert for the first time in more than five years.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2019

Renewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility

New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019

Maryland moves to align with other states on ratemaking, allow multi-year plans

The Maryland Public Service Commission says the alternative ratemaking process will make rates more predictable, shorten utility cost recovery time and reduce the administrative burden of annual rate filings.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 13, 2019

New York initiative aims to eliminate conflicts between resource adequacy, clean energy goals

The Public Service Commission wants to ensure available capacity products align with the state's renewable energy and emission reduction goals, rather than unwittingly keeping afloat older and dirtier resources.

By Robert Walton • Updated Aug. 13, 2019

Hollywood's next star could be virtual power plants as LADWP closes out natural gas

Power plant-scale VPPs are not in operation but pilots and proposals are about to get big tests.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2019

Puerto Rico's new governor plans to cancel $450K PREPA grid repair deal

The head of the island's electric utility, however, has indicated he will press Gov. Wanda Vázquez to reconsider that decision.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 2019

New York looks to Europe for offshore wind coordination, interconnection models to develop 9 GW

State stakeholders say coordination is key as they juggle a variety of transmission players based on the lessons learned from Europe, where developers have installed more than 17 GW of offshore wind.

By Max Witynski • Aug. 9, 2019

Crossed wires: Wisconsin transmission proposal sparks debate over best path to 100% clean energy

A major MISO transmission project could increase reliability and renewables in the Midwest, but opponents say there are better approaches to reducing carbon emissions.

By Max Witynski • Updated Sept. 30, 2019

Hawaii regulators question lack of non-wires alternatives in HECO's integrated grid plan

The Public Utilities Commission asked if a "course of correction is necessary" for the utility's plan, particularly regarding the resilience benefits of microgrid solutions on the state's mountainous islands.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 8, 2019

What's the best role for utilities as EVs proliferate? With Pepco, DC aims to find the right balance

A Public Service Commission order raises questions about how and if third-party charging companies should be regulated.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 7, 2019

Dominion invests $1.1B in offshore wind, watches Northeast developments

The utility's non-regulated generation business is developing two turbines off the coast of Virginia, with plans to develop more as prices drop.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 5, 2019

Enbridge natural gas pipeline explosion kills 1, injures 5 in Kentucky

A rupture on the almost 9,000 mile Texas Eastern Transmission pipeline caused the Thursday explosion.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 2, 2019

PG&E tells court deferred maintenance did not play a role in sparking wildfires

U.S. District Judge William Alsu​p had directed the utility to respond to reports that it knew for years there was a risk its aging transmission system could spark wildfires.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2019

Southwest Power Pool moves to boost reliability, storage amid CEO resignation

The buildout of cheap renewables and the large queue of battery storage projects prompted stakeholders to ask SPP to study the reliability impacts of a grid with less conventional generation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 1, 2019

DOE begins development of North American 'energy resilience model'

The U.S. Department of Energy will coordinate efforts with its national labs and use industry engagement to create best practices in a system that would anticipate damage to equipment, predict associated blackouts and assist with recovery.

By Robert Walton • July 31, 2019

Ameren cancels 157 MW wind project, citing transmission upgrade costs

The Missouri project would have required "unacceptably high" expenses that the utility said it didn't want to push on to ratepayers.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 30, 2019

FERC staff drafts environmental 'pass' for Mountain Valley Pipeline expansion

NextEra Energy's joint venture would add two delivery points to meet Dominion Energy's natural gas supply needs in North Carolina.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 30, 2019

Arizona commissioner pushes for retail competition vote by end of year

Justin Olson wants to allow households to choose energy providers, and envisions a future where incumbent utilities provide only transmission and distribution services.

By Robert Walton • July 30, 2019

NiSource settles Massachusetts gas explosion claims for $143M

The September 2018 explosions killed one person, damaged more than 100 structures and destroyed several homes.

By Robert Walton • July 30, 2019

PG&E bankruptcy timeline extended, creditors worry delay may block wildfire fund access

Bondholders and insurers are eager for their reorganization plans to be considered, but the utility now has until September to submit its own plan.

By Robert Walton • July 25, 2019

Tri-State files for FERC regulation, Delta-Montrose to exit in 2020

Delta-Montrose Electric Association and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association say they have negotiated a fair exit fee, though the amount will not be made public until next year.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2019

Island-wide outage on Kaua'i: Clouds block solar recovery after generator's cable failure

Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative's largest generator tripped offline on Sunday, leading to a power outage followed by continued rolling blackouts.

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2019

New Hampshire Supreme Court strikes down appeal for Northern Pass transmission permit

Gov. Chris Sununu, R, a long-time supporter of the project, says "it is time to move on," to other transmission projects that will bring clean energy to New England.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 22, 2019