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

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

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

Florida grid hardening is working, PSC hurricane report concludes

Florida regulators want to ensure the state's electric grid is ready for the next big storm, after Hurricane Irma knocked out power to more than half of the residents last year.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 13, 2018

FERC halts Atlantic Coast, clears 3 other pipeline projects in busy Friday

The decisions came hours before Republicans lost their one-vote majority on FERC. Until a replacement is confirmed, Democrats can deadlock agency votes. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 13, 2018

Study: EVs will have 20% of global mileage share by 2030

Researchers predict adoption will surge despite small current market share and government regulations, thanks in part to its use in other mobility forms.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 13, 2018

$5M gas efficiency pilot approved, headed to ConEd's NYC customers

The project applies non-pipelines solutions to address the growing natural gas demand during peak winter time.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 13, 2018

As Powelson steps down, greens call for FERC seat to stay vacant

Powelson's departure Friday comes during a busy summer for FERC, with the commission facing high-profile decisions on pipelines, grid resilience and the PJM capacity market. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 10, 2018

Report: DOE, DHS planning new grid cybersecurity exercise this fall

The Liberty Eclipse exercise will focus on blackstart capabilities and the intersection of the natural gas and electric power sectors, E&E News reports. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 7, 2018

FERC denies rehearing on Northern Access pipeline, overruling New York decision

The decision could help set a precedent for how FERC handles state challenges to its permitting authority for gas pipelines. 

By Gavin Bade • Updated Aug. 7, 2018

Court tosses construction permits for Atlantic Coast Pipeline

FERC's approval of the 600-mile pipeline was based on a faulty right-of-way permit from the National Park Service, the Fourth Circuit Court ruled, likely halting construction for the $6 billion project. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 6, 2018

FERC halts construction of Mountain Valley Pipeline after court ruling

The decision is the biggest victory yet for opponents of the 300-mile natural gas pipeline, which FERC approved last October. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 6, 2018

Berkeley lab challenges grid community to improve interoperability

The Plug & Play DER Challenge is a call for concepts to the smart grid community, seeking "visionary" ideas focused on improving interoperability on an increasingly-connected electric grid.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 6, 2018

Split FERC approves Spire pipeline, brushing aside self-dealing concerns

The only entity that signed contracts for the 65-mile pipeline is an affiliate of the project developer, leading critics to question if the project is truly necessary.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 6, 2018

Broadband access: A regulatory call to action to protect utilities against cyber threats

Modernizing utility communications infrastructure to the advanced broadband available today will pay off for decades to come, according to Jack Markell, former Democratic governor of Delaware.

By Jack Markell • Aug. 6, 2018

As California customer choice options expand, regulators work to ensure grid costs are equitable

A new report estimates Community Choice Aggregators could serve a majority of California’s power consumers within the next decade, raising the stakes for efforts to ensure costs are shared equitably.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 3, 2018