California groups challenge Sempra rate decisions allowing recovery of 'charitable contributions'

The decisions, involving San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas, break with decades of precedent, according to The Utility Reform Network and other advocates.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2019

Hawaii regulators call out HELCO cost controls in initial rate hike denial

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission's interim order denied a modest revenue increase for Hawaii Electric Light Co. An evidentiary hearing is slated for next month, and the decision could be changed.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 19, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Transmission

Utilities are preparing to spend billions building out transmission at a time when affordability is a major concern.Get a handle on what’s at stake and the solutions being offered in this trendline.

By Utility Dive staff

Time to move away from old precedents in FERC pipeline reviews

Maintaining the status quo does not engender confidence that FERC is only approving pipeline projects that are truly needed, consistent with the “public convenience and necessity,” writes Analysis Group's Sue Tierney.

By Sue Tierney • Nov. 19, 2019

NERC's simulated grid attack leaves thousands of New York customers in hypothetical darkness

The biennial security event, GridEx, highlighted the electric sector's continued dependency on natural gas pipelines.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2019

CPUC demands PG&E defend power shut-off actions, launches investigation into all IOUs

Regulators want PG&E to show why it should not be fined for violating communication protocols during planned outages in October and November. It could be fined up to $100,000 for each offense.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 14, 2019

How does AI improve grid performance? No one fully understands and that's limiting its use

Machine learning's greatest impact will be helping algorithms understand "how the voltage here affects the voltage there," which will enable "optimizing grid operations like dispatching battery storage," one industry executive said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 14, 2019

Entergy Texas, Georgia Power lead on business customer satisfaction amid growing divide: JD Power

While satisfaction is rising, the marketing research company found the gap between the highest- and lowest-performing utilities is now at a 13-year high.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2019

Cuomo threatens to revoke National Grid's license to provide gas in NYC due to hookup moratorium

The governor's actions also affect the credit ratings of Consolidated Edison and other New York utilities, because it suggests "a heightened willingness to intervene in utility regulation," Moody's Investors Service said Nov. 18.​

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Nov. 19, 2019

Simulated grid attacks prepped in US amid mounting cyber risks, shortage of security talent

The North American Electric Reliability Corp. GridEx simulation will be followed by DOE's university-focused CyberForce Competition, with both aiming to improve security around the nation's electric system.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2019

PG&E raises wildfire compensation offer to $13.5B as California turns up pressure

Gov. Gavin Newsom had asked a bankruptcy judge to delay a previous, smaller deal to compensate wildfire victims. And more cities are asking for a public takeover of the embattled utility.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2019

California proposes extending 4.8 GW gas capacity as bridge to 3.3 GW of new clean energy by 2023

The state's newly authorized procurement aims to have renewables-plus-storage and standalone storage compete well against other resources, along with energy efficiency and demand response resources.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 11, 2019

Tri-State faces growing member rebellion, challenges at Colorado PUC

Tri-State Generation & Transmission's largest member, United Power, has asked Colorado regulators to establish a fair exit charge that would allow the cooperative to procure cleaner and cheaper power. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2019

Hawaii regulators audit HECO management as utility targets Oahu rate increase

The review "may present opportunities for HECO to realize operational efficiencies, better manage costs and improve its financial condition," the PUC said in its order calling for the audit.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 7, 2019

Florida eases financing for billions in storm hardening spending, retains energy efficiency program

The Public Service Commission voted on Tuesday to allow utilities to bypass the stringent rate review previously required to add storm expenses to base rates.

By Lynn Freehill-Maye • Nov. 6, 2019

Sen. Manchin 'fighting' for White House nomination of Democratic FERC candidate

The independent energy regulatory agency has two vacancies but President Donald Trump only nominated FERC general counsel James Danly for the open Republican seat.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 6, 2019

US power grid attack points surge with proliferating DERs: A hacker 'will eventually get in'

Critical infrastructure protection standards are essential — but they're also just a starting point, say experts focused on maintaining a reliable electric grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2019

California governor floats PG&E takeover, moves to expedite bankruptcy proceeding

Governor Gavin Newsom called for a meeting this week between state officials, the utility, its creditors, its shareholders and wildfire victims, to "accelerate a consensual resolution."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2019

CAISO takes expanded western reliability services live

The California Independent System Operator has launched expanded Reliability Coordinator services, called RC West, making it the coordinator of record for more than three dozen entities across 14 western states and northern Mexico.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2019

Solar, energy efficiency to drive drops in load, peak demand over next 10 years, ISO-NE says

The region remains energy constrained, but the grid operator expects to have sufficient resources to meet electricity demand through 2028.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 1, 2019

PG&E found more than 100 damaged assets, hazards following massive power shutoff

The utility found dozens of instances where de-energized lines could have ignited a blaze if they had not been shut off.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 1, 2019

PG&E shares jump 32% amid power shutoffs as judge appoints bankruptcy mediator

Meanwhile, half a million customers are still without power and the utility has said it will provide refunds to customers impacted by its first October shutoff.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2019

Puerto Rico grid modernization plan tops $20B

The plan, which the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority sketched out over the summer, includes installing almost 1.4 GW of solar generation and 920 MW of battery storage.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 29, 2019

PG&E deploys largest-ever power shutoff, but responsibility for Kincade Fire now in question

Up to 3 million people were impacted by PG&E's massive power shutoff over the weekend. Meanwhile, shares hit a record low this morning as the utility reported a transmission line failure near the origin of last week's wildfire.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2019

Microgrids alone cannot eliminate wildfire risk

Fully self-contained microgrids are not economic today, given all the ways in which they can serve as grid assets, so Edison Electric Institute warns against relying on them as an alternative to de-energizing power lines.

By Scott Aaronson • Oct. 25, 2019

Utilities' failure to plan for DER surge promises missed opportunities, increased costs, analysts say

Utilities can use skyrocketing customer-owned DER to balance rising penetrations of variable renewables on their systems, if they take on the big work of distribution system planning.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 24, 2019