EY: Global utility and power sector deals hit $180B in first half of 2018

Renewable energy continues to grow in importance, accounting for 46% of deal volume in the second quarter, EY says.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2018

California approves bill to limit utility liability for wildfires, but not CAISO expansion

The state legislature wrapped up the 2018 session by passing bills on electric vehicle infrastructure, battery storage and critical changes for utilities on wildfire liability laws.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 4, 2018

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

Cyberthreats require strengthened standards, increased government collaboration

Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Brien Sheahan and former FERC Commissioner Robert Powelson wrote about the importance of establishing cybersecurity compliance standards at the distribution level.

By Brien J. Sheahan and Robert F. Powelson • Sept. 4, 2018

As Kentucky regulators reject smart meter plans, troubling trend continues for AMI

Kentucky Utilities and Louisville Gas & Electric "failed to provide sufficient evidence" that smart meters would benefit customers, regulators ruled last week.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2018

Get ready for sticker shock on California's last-minute clean energy proposals

The state's well-intentioned ideas aiming to advance renewable energy would unfortunately commit Californians to resource decisions for the next 10 years and limit investment in lower-cost technologies.

By Barry Moline • Aug. 31, 2018

Report: Utilities tab for Hurricane Harvey recovery, hardening tops $500M

As the frequency of natural disasters seems to rise, so does the cost utilities pay to repair their systems.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2018

Exclusive: Ohio PUC details utility reform roadmap in PowerForward initiative

The plan, a product of a year-long business model investigation, aims to create a level playing field for innovation on the utility distribution system.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 29, 2018

FERC says SCE can't treat storage customers differently in service

Southern California Edison sought authority to curtail electricity service to storage customers first during times of peak demand, but FERC said that would be "unduly discriminatory."

By Gavin Bade , Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 28, 2018

California passes bill to coordinate EV charger planning

The bill would grant authority to the California Energy Commission to assess charging infrastructure build-out in an attempt to meet the state's ambitious EV goals.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 28, 2018

MISO previews storage changes, enacts five-minute energy market settlements

The Midcontinent ISO last week announced it implemented five-minute settlements across its energy market while also establishing details of how storage assets will be able to participate in trading.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2018

Rhode Island approves National Grid modernization plan, rate increase

While gas and low income electric customers will see rate decreases, average residential power customers will see a 3.5% increase.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2018

TVA to raise rates, will consider closing older coal plants

The Tennessee Valley Authority will consider closing down two older coal plants totaling more than 2 GW of capacity.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2018

HECO warns of extended outages as Hawaii braces for Hurricane Lane

Experts are concerned the slow-moving storm could disrupt fuel deliveries or petroleum refining in the state, which relies on oil for much of its electricity generation.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 24, 2018

Pennsylvania regulators seek alternative ratemaking proposals from utilities

The Public Utilities Commission is accepting comments on its proposed alternative rate design policy and consumers are already raising concerns about potential rate increases.  

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2018

Interactive: Wind turbines are getting more powerful as 'specific power' declines

The new 2017 Wind Technologies Market Report, prepared by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and released by the U.S. Department of Energy, shows a trend in turbines that do better in lower wind speeds.

By Ryan Wiser, Mark Bolinger, Ben Hoen and Bentham Paulos • Aug. 23, 2018

PNM looks to join CAISO Energy Imbalance Market

Public Service. Co. of New Mexico would be the ninth member of the voluntary imbalance market, which allows Western utilities to trade power over a larger footprint. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2018

Pennsylvania industrial energy users say follow Minnesota on rate design

As Pennsylvania considers sweeping changes to utility distribution rate structures, some of the state's largest customers are calling for regulators to move cautiously and utilize tools other states have developed.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2018

California legislators smooth closure path for state's last nuclear plant

The state assembly approved legislation that clears the way for closure of Diablo Canyon, providing $350 million for an employee retention fund and $85 million to make up for lost property taxes, among other provisions.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 22, 2018

Does your utility have a survival strategy?

Faced with a changing competitive landscape and an uncertain regulatory environment, utility organizations are increasingly employing new cloud and digital strategies to ensure not only success, but survival.

By Michael O’Donnell • Aug. 22, 2018

Generators, electric utilities spar over pipeline funding in FERC fuel security docket

Rebuffed by state decisions, utilities want FERC to allow them to charge electricity customers for new pipeline development. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 20, 2018

Houston public safety team reflects on 3-day cyberattack simulation

The Jack Voltaic 2.0 exercise aimed to bring electric, water and telecom utilities to the same table to prepare for a coordinated cyberattack. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 16, 2018

PJM prepares new capacity repricing rule in response to FERC order

The RTO is considering a resource specific carve-out, or "ReCO," as an alternative to the minimum offer price rule that FERC rejected.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 16, 2018

Lawmakers skeptical of Gov. Brown's plan to alter California wildfire liability rules

As wildfires continue to spread throughout the state, lawmakers hesitate to tackle legislation that could be construed as a bailout for electric utilities.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2018

Federal oversight board orders changes to PREPA budget

Puerto Rico's utility has until Wednesday to issue revised plans or risk the federal board imposing its budget.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 14, 2018

3.9M more EVs will not strain California's grid, Next 10 says

The presence of EV ride-sharing cars is likely to promote more daytime charging, the think tank forecasts, leading to lower renewable energy curtailment. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 13, 2018