NYISO approves 'historic' transmission to boost transfer capability to 900 MW

Clean energy advocates celebrated the projects, which they say will help the state reach its ultimate goal of 100% carbon-free generation by 2040.

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2019

PG&E shares jump as California report advocates wildfire liability changes

Strict fire liability rules are not working and "under the status quo, all parties lose," according to a new report from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

By Robert Walton • April 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

Renewable procurement gaps pose risk for California's climate goals, but what solution is best?

A new bill may capture broad agreement about the need for a central backstop procurement entity, but doubts about it remain.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2019

Southern California Edison requests higher ROE, citing wildfire risks

The utility told federal regulators the share price of its parent company has "dropped dramatically since 2017 as a result of this wildfire risk."

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2019

Montana approves bill to allow utility power sales to EV charging stations

The bill headed to Gov. Steve Bullock also determines the EV charging companies are not public utilities and directs regulators to set rates for EV charging. 

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2019

Dominion gas explosion kills 1, injures 17 in North Carolina

A rupture to a two-inch gas line caused a leak that led to the explosion late Wednesday morning.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 11, 2019

Minnesota advances on performance-based rates, asks what metrics to consider

State regulators opened a public comment period last week on what data points must be measured in order to evaluate utility performance — the first step in linking those outcomes to utility rates.

By Robert Walton • April 9, 2019

Grid modernization is the best new deal

A Grid Modernization Act could accomplish many of the Green New Deal's goals by improving public health, creating jobs, spurring innovation, strengthening national security and making our communities more resilient.

By Hon. Dennis McGinn and Roger Sorkin • April 9, 2019

ISO-NE considers new seasonal forward market to improve energy security

The grid operator published a white paper that questions whether wholesale markets provide sufficient return for resource owners.

By Robert Walton • April 8, 2019

Southwest Power Pool considers launching alternative to CAISO energy imbalance market

The grid operator issued a call on Thursday for utilities and other customers to help design and implement a new real-time market for the Western Interconnection.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2019

Floating solar offers unique bargains — U.S. utilities are missing out

Siting photovoltaics on water is proving reliable worldwide, and the PVs could meet almost 10% of U.S. electricity needs at market-competitive costs, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 4, 2019

PG&E taps new CEO, 10 directors to lead utility through bankruptcy

Former TVA chief Bill Johnson will take over leadership and seven board members will step down as the embattled utility seeks new direction following a bankruptcy filing related to California's deadly wildfires.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2019

Moody's: Ire toward PG&E means change to California fire liability rules unlikely

The state is unlikely to change its inverse condemnation rules, which can make utilities accountable for wildfire damage even if they're not negligent, but a state catastrophe fund is the most likely reform, the ratings agency said.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2019

Chugach Electric files for state approval of $1B Alaska muni purchase

It has been a year since voters in Anchorage, Alaska, authorized the sale of the city's municipal utility. Now, state regulators must approve the deal.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2019

Safety report: PG&E still takes 'reactive' approach to wildfire risks

A federal judge this week also restricted the bankrupt utility from paying dividends as reports of a new CEO and board of directors swirl. 

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2019

Controversial $1B Canada-US transmission line gets Maine PUC approval

The key certificate, unanimously granted by the state's three commissioners, advances the 145-mile transmission corridor that would deliver hydropower from Quebec to Massachusetts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 11, 2019

Exclusive: PG&E's future rests on board picks, CPUC president says

California regulators could reorganize the company or revoke its license to operate if they do not like new selections for its board of directors, California Public Utilities Commission President Michael Picker said in a wide-ranging interview. 

By Gavin Bade • March 29, 2019

Hawaii regulators approve HECO's $86M grid mod plan, 6 solar + storage projects under $0.10/kWh

Hawaiian Electric said the decisions, including the "largest and lowest-cost portfolio" of renewables assembled at one time in a state, will enable "foundational" changes on the electric grids of five islands.

By Robert Walton • March 29, 2019

Idaho Power targets 100% carbon free energy by 2045, joining the ranks of Xcel

The utility's announcement directly followed Consumers Energy setting a goal of reducing carbon emissions more than 90% by 2040 as clean energy economics push utilities to shift their generation portfolios.

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2019

PJM 'naive' about GreenHat's FTR default risks: report

PJM officials say they were blindsided by GreenHat's actions, adding that the financial transmission rights market has typically been "self-regulated" and the company was trying to intentionally bypass trading rules.

By Robert Walton • March 27, 2019

Trump orders better response plans for EMP attacks, outages

The president's executive order also calls for identifying critical infrastructure at greatest risk from electromagnetic pulses and strengthening its ability to withstand the possible impacts.

By Robert Walton • March 27, 2019

New York rejects NYSEG, RG&E approach to peak shaving program as too severe

The utilities proposed changes to their Commercial System Relief Programs that regulators concluded were "too aggressive" for the extent of the issue — making demand response a predictable and stable resource.

By Robert Walton • March 27, 2019

Puerto Rico passes 100% renewable energy bill as it aims for storm resilience

The bill, expected to be signed by Gov. Ricardo Rosselló​, would ban coal plants by 2028 while setting a 2050 target for going fully renewable.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 26, 2019

Emera to sell Maine utility for $1.3B, completing 3-year fundraising plan

When combined with a sale of its New England gas assets, Emera will have raised about $1.57 billion, which will be used to reduce debt and support a $4.85 billion regulated capital program.

By Robert Walton • March 26, 2019

The biggest numbers game in the power sector: Data analytics and the utility community of the future

Data analytics are helping utilities improve operations and customer engagement, but a decentralized transactive energy network is in the works and will require additional computing advances.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 25, 2019