PG&E bankruptcy plan includes $14B equity commitments, no liability estimates: Bloomberg

Pacific Gas & Electric plans to file its restructuring plan with the bankruptcy court by Monday, though the amount of its liability — estimated at $30 billion — will be tallied by another court.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2019

Boulder's plan to condemn Xcel assets, form municipal utility faces new setback

The court granted Xcel Energy’s motion to dismiss the city's condemnation filing. Boulder officials say they knew this was a possibility, and see a way forward. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 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

FERC chairman to Congress: 'Make energy policy boring again'

Neil Chatterjee says Congress, not regulatory agencies, should be making major energy policy decision and wants to see broad legislation, including an overhaul of PURPA.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 5, 2019

Outages begin to mount as Dorian slams into US

South Carolina Electric & Gas reported more than 128,000 customers without power Thursday morning, with Hurricane Dorian now a Category 3 storm located 70 miles south-southeast of Charleston.

By Robert Walton • Updated Sept. 5, 2019

Tri-State subject to FERC regulation as it adds non co-op member

Tri-State has expressed concerns over growing calls for increased state oversight of its facilities and rates, noting there is political pressure for such a move in New Mexico and Colorado.

By Robert Walton • Updated Sept. 6, 2019

Dominion to invest $277M in unauthorized revenue from 2018 in offshore wind, smart meters

The utility says state lawmakers have approved investments where it intends to spend the over-collection. A ratepayer advocate says the utility is "cheating Virginia customers."

By Robert Walton • Sept. 3, 2019

Dominion launches electric school bus initiative, aims for 100% electric fleet in Virginia territory by 2030

The utility wants 1,000 electric buses by 2025, at no additional cost to school districts.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2019

EPA proposes to roll back methane rules for oil, gas industry

The move is expected to save the multi-billion dollar industry up to $19 million annually.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2019

Is PREPA ready for hurricane season?

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has "a fragile system," according to the utility's director of project management, and "it still hasn't been elevated to the codes and standards for a Category 4" storm.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 29, 2019

Lawsuit advances alleging TVA grid access charge discourages renewables adoption

A district court judge denied the utility's motion to dismiss the case, giving five environmental groups legs to stand on in their complaint.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2019

Wildfires in Alaska? A historic drought has local utility scrambling

Fires burning to the north and south of Chugach Electric Association's territory prompted the utility to make operational changes and step up vegetation maintenance.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2019

Clean energy groups urge FERC to support transmission investment incentives

While there is worry about rising costs, there is also agreement that increased transmission investment will benefit the broader electric grid.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2019

'Nearly all' high voltage EV charging stations lose money: Report

Lower-wattage electric vehicle charging stations are less likely to lose money in the current market, as some regions struggle to launch large-scale EV deployment.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2019

Vistra's spending spree continues with $475M acquisition of Ambit

The deal, which remains subject to regulatory approval, would boost Vistra's residential ERCOT market from 25% to 32%.

By HJ Mai • Aug. 22, 2019

Wisconsin regulators grant wind transmission project preliminary approval

The controversial project would allow the state to add 25 GW of renewable energy capacity to the Great Plains market and ensure reliability. Opponents argue for transmission updates to existing infrastructure.

By Max Witynski • Aug. 21, 2019

What will electricity pricing look like in 2040?

Experts weigh in on their rate design predictions, ranging from complex rates and set-it, forget-it technologies to Netflix-like subscription plans.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2019

How grid operators forecast weather and output from renewables

RTOs and ISOs told Utility Dive their top challenges and initiatives when it comes to forecasting output from intermittent resources.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 19, 2019

Top Arizona regulator spurs retail choice progress, pushes for rule drafting

The Arizona Corporation Commission had closed its retail electric competition docket in 2013, following the opposition of Arizona Public Service.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 16, 2019

PG&E fights for control of its future, access to new wildfire fund

Pacific Gas & Electric told a bankruptcy court this week it is "uniquely positioned" to develop its own reorganization plan, which it pledged to file by Sept. 9.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 15, 2019

ERCOT reserves drop below 2,300 MW, forcing Texas grid to call for energy emergency

Demand sent prices soaring and forced the grid operator to issue the emergency alert for the first time in more than five years.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2019

Renewables' variability sends wary utilities from traditional DR to DER and load flexibility

New technologies can expand utilities' options, allowing control of load with customer-sited resources to balance variable generation, but utilities say they need incentives.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2019

Maryland moves to align with other states on ratemaking, allow multi-year plans

The Maryland Public Service Commission says the alternative ratemaking process will make rates more predictable, shorten utility cost recovery time and reduce the administrative burden of annual rate filings.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 13, 2019

New York initiative aims to eliminate conflicts between resource adequacy, clean energy goals

The Public Service Commission wants to ensure available capacity products align with the state's renewable energy and emission reduction goals, rather than unwittingly keeping afloat older and dirtier resources.

By Robert Walton • Updated Aug. 13, 2019

Hollywood's next star could be virtual power plants as LADWP closes out natural gas

Power plant-scale VPPs are not in operation but pilots and proposals are about to get big tests.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2019

Puerto Rico's new governor plans to cancel $450K PREPA grid repair deal

The head of the island's electric utility, however, has indicated he will press Gov. Wanda Vázquez to reconsider that decision.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 2019