Xcel cuts carbon emissions 50% by 2021, eyes Colorado transmission, coal plants to reach 2030 goal

The utility hinted that its Colorado IRP would include heavy investments in transmission and renewables, as well as action on its remaining coal plants in the state, and likely looking similar to its plans in Minnesota.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 29, 2021

'No compelling reason not to': Former FERC chairs, commissioners call for federal transmission overhaul

Nine former commissioners and chairs agree that now is the time for federal regulators to tackle interregional grid planning, following the release of a report.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 28, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Want a more distributed and lower cost power system? Try this new planning tool

Vibrant Clean Energy offers system modeling to match today's granularity and breaks the barrier between bulk system and distribution system planning.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2021

New York approves $854M transmission line, outlines path to reach storage, renewables goals

To support a 100% emissions-free grid by 2040, a report says New York may need more than 9,000 MW of offshore wind, 30,000 MW of land-based renewables and 15,000 MW of storage.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2021

PJM, utilities 'messing with' state sovereignty is 'biggest threat' to climate goals: Maryland commissioner

State lawmakers say that while leaving the capacity market appears less likely with the new administration, his comments reflect a broader power struggle between the state and its grid operator.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 22, 2021

FERC rejects NYISO MOPR expansion, gas infrastructure orders, in Danly's last meeting as chair

"This meeting is not normal," an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a tweet.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 20, 2021

California approves PG&E, SDG&E, SCE microgrid tariffs with eye to upcoming fire season

As battery storage capacity is added in California, developers are preparing to meet the summer peak demand through new projects, including microgrids.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 19, 2021

Hawaii finalizes utility regulation considered potential template for US power system transformation

Stakeholders agree the state's final performance-based regulation order includes opportunities and safeguards that can lead to a new regulatory paradigm.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2021

New York to build nation's largest offshore wind program to bolster green economy

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state selected Equinor Wind US to develop two projects, which will combine for 2,490 MW, more than 20 miles off the coast of Long Island.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2021

Duke, Southern file SEEM proposal with FERC as North Carolina regulators mull authority

Duke Energy argued state regulators do not need to approve its proposal to form a centralized energy exchange market before filing with federal regulators.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Feb. 16, 2021

2021 Outlook: 10 power sector trends to watch

A new administration under a new party is one of many signs that 2021 will look different for policymakers, regulators, utilities and other stakeholders, but the continuation of some older trends is expected as well.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 13, 2021

New transmission approaches can cut billions in decarbonization costs: MIT, clean energy coalition

Interstate coordination and transmission expansion can reduce the system cost of electricity in a 100%-renewable U.S. power system by 46% compared with a state-by-state approach, according to two MIT researchers.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2021

2021 Outlook: The DER boom continues, driving a ‘reimagining’ of the distribution system

The rise of distributed resources will require a renewed distribution system that gives utilities more visibility of what's going on at the customer level to cut costs and protect reliability. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 12, 2021

New Jersey greenlights $800M PSE&G smart meter rollout, work to continue on data access

The utility plans replace 2.3 million electric meters, creating a more modernized distribution system that will allow for real-time digital communications with customers.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2021

Top Utility Trends of 2020

Amid significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the power sector's transition to a cleaner, more distributed future continues.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 5, 2021

Want to know how to pick an energy market? Watch the Mountain West power providers

Xcel Colorado just joined California’s imbalance market, SPP will offer imbalance services, and researchers have proposed a Colorado-centric system. But what do power providers want?

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 4, 2021

FERC approves tariff for Southwest Power Pool's Western imbalance market

Regulators concluded the new market, which plans to launch in February, will "yield diverse benefits to the participating utilities and customers" in the regional interconnection.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2021

The search for the next net metering policy takes center stage in California

California’s utilities and solar advocates agree a forward-looking successor tariff must use the state’s nation-leading rooftop solar penetration to address its increasingly dynamic system needs with storage.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 23, 2020

FERC proposes incentives for voluntary cybersecurity investments, in race to secure nation's electric grid

Experts say offering incentives for utilities to invest in cybersecurity could help shore up the grid much faster than developing new mandatory standards.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 22, 2020

Rising renewables penetration is a threat to grid reliability in some regions, NERC concludes

Areas of Texas, California and the Midwest are most at risk as conventional generation continues to retire, according to the annual reliability assessment.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2020

APS's plan for closing coal plants could be a gamechanger, analysts say, but who will pay?

The company's current rate case includes $144.45 million for communities impacted by its proposed coal closures, the biggest-ever such U.S. utility commitment, but customers would pay over 80% of the plan.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 18, 2020

Trio of New England decisions could help or hurt renewables as ISO-NE, NEPOOL face off at FERC

 Some clean energy advocates say one of the decisions could make it more difficult to develop energy storage pojects in the region.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2020

Transmission, local resources, market improvements key to decarbonization: CAISO and NYISO chiefs

Adding new transmission in a timely manner will require a suite of policy improvements, says Jonathan Weisgall, vice president for legislative and regulatory affairs at Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 10, 2020

In this Congress or the next, experts see opportunity to boost electric investment and secure the grid

The tight balance of power in both the House and Senate means any action must be bipartisan. Questions about spending will need to be addressed.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2020

The Utility Dive Awards for 2020

The winners exemplified leadership in a time of crisis by working toward economic means of transitioning the power sector.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020