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

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

Vermont eyes 'immediate relief' from demand charges for electric vehicle charging

A Public Service Department report comes at the behest of state lawmakers, who want to examine possible rate design changes to empower more cost-effective consumer behaviors.

By Robert Walton • March 22, 2019

FERC opens transmission, ROE inquiries as regulators spar again over climate

Pointed exchanges over climate change policy at FERC's monthly meeting may indicate that approvals for new natural gas infrastructure are again on hold at the commission.

By Gavin Bade • March 22, 2019

Missouri regulators approve $2.3B Grain Belt Express transmission line, but fight not over

The project, which would move about 4 GW of wind energy from western Kansas through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, will likely require the use of eminent domain to be completed.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2019

Market Monitor: 3 GW nukes, 12 GW coal uneconomic in PJM

The only nuclear plants receiving market signals to retire are one-unit generators, Monitoring Analytics said, and the only one to recieve a state subsidy "did not need" it.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 15, 2019

Chatterjee: Transmission could be resilience docket solution

The FERC chairman's remarks at CERAWeek represent a shift from past emphasis on generator fuel supplies in the resilience debate. 

By Gavin Bade • March 14, 2019

PG&E cleared of criminal charges in 8 2017 blazes as fire officials say SCE sparked Thomas Fire

As California utilities reckon with the devastating wildfires from 2017, PG&E still faces civil lawsuits regarding the incidents, although most proceedings have been paused by their declaration of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated March 14, 2019

Independent developer proposes $2.5B underground transmission line, to bring Iowa wind to PJM, MISO

The project seeks to connect two of the largest electricity markets in the country to an Iowa wind farm and achieve greater cost reductions by experimenting with new forms of construction for the first-of-its-kind project.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 13, 2019

Beyond transmission: How remote sensing speeds inspection and management of distribution networks

By more quickly identifying potential problems, utilities can address areas where safety concerns are most urgent, or infrastructure is at risk.

By Eric Merten • March 12, 2019

With storm hardening 'a larger focus,' DC approves PEPCO underground distribution lines

The $500 million project, which aims to boost resiliency and reduce outages from storm-damaged power lines, cleared its final hurdle last week, and construction is expected to begin this spring.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 12, 2019

Hungry for green power, tech giants choose between utilities, independent developers

Utilities increasingly supply 100% renewable energy to large customers, raising questions about why they don't purchase more wind and solar for their entire consumer base. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 12, 2019

Michigan ALJ proposes solar compromise in DTE rate case

The administrative law judge recommended eliminating the fee requested by the utility for solar users while lowering the compensation rate for rooftop solar.

By Robert Walton • March 11, 2019

Brattle: Electrification could drive $600B in transmission spending by 2050

A report estimates the United States will need transmission investments of $30 billion to $90 billion by 2030, and significantly more in the decades which follow.

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2019

Judge scales back PG&E wildfire safety plan in new proposed order

PG&E would follow its wildfire mitigation plan under a new order from Judge William Alsup, but would not have to comply with an extensive Jan. 9 proposed order it estimated could cost $150 billion.

By Gavin Bade • March 7, 2019

Oregon OKs dual PGE approach to procure renewables for business customers

Portland General Electric's clean energy offerings are part of a wave of creative Power Purchase Agreement tariffs utilities are offering to corporate and municipal customers.

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2019

Efficiency leads 2019 energy job growth prospects

Energy efficiency employers project a 7.8% growth rate for jobs this year, more than double the increase last year, in what the latest U.S. Energy and Employment Report deemed the "toughest hiring climate."

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2019

ERCOT sees increased chance for emergency capacity with record demand forecast this summer

The grid operator's preliminary summer analysis of extreme scenarios indicates ERCOT may need to issue energy alerts, but does not expect to use rolling brownouts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 6, 2019

Splitting apart PG&E could hurt California's carbon neutrality goals, Sierra Club says

Breaking Pacific Gas & Electric into separate gas and electric divisions could make for a safer utility, but might create a new company vested in keeping the state reliant on natural gas, the environmental group said.

By Robert Walton • March 5, 2019

AEP launches electric utility tech accelerator to identify 'compelling' startups

American Electric Power's initiative with innovation specialist L Marks will be a 10-week bootcamp-style energy summit focused on accelerating the development of grid solutions.

By Robert Walton • March 5, 2019

Pennsylvania removes barrier to third-party EV charging station ownership

State regulators approved tariff supplements for FirstEnergy utilities which confirm that electric vehicle charging at third-party owned charging stations will not be considered a resale of electricity.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2019

PG&E says its equipment probably sparked deadly Camp Fire last year

The company announced a $10.5 billion pre-tax charge Thursday related to third-party claims from the 2018 fire, and said its total potential wildfire liabilities could exceed more than $30 billion.

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2019

Edison takes $1.8B charge for California wildfires, despite no new liability determination

Utility officials say the number of claims that are being filed and the potential for litigation led them to conclude Southern California Edison faces "a potential material liability."

By Robert Walton • March 1, 2019

PG&E disputes allegations it deferred maintenance on transmission line tied to deadly Camp Fire

"We disagree with the overall premise of the Wall Street Journal article," the utility said in a statement responding to the publication's coverage.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 28, 2019

California's review of wildfire mitigation plans will be a sprint

The California Public Utilities Commission wants to approve utility wildfire mitigation plans in May — a short time frame for such a proceeding, according to the presiding judge.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2019