As grid modernization accelerates, which states are in the lead, and why?

California, Illinois and Texas are at the top, according to the latest GridWise survey, with Rhode Island, Colorado and Washington showing the biggest improvement over the prior rankings.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 5, 2017

Whitefish Energy challenges contractor in Montana court over Puerto Rico storm recovery payments

Arc American, a contractor, had asked the Puerto Rico utility for payment for work it completed to repair the island's devastated electrical grid rather than collecting through Whitefish.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 5, 2017

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

SolarCity, Salt River Project antitrust lawsuit heads to Supreme Court

In 2015, SolarCity filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Salt River Project. The U.S. Supreme Court will determine if the public power utility can be sued under those laws.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 4, 2017

Chatterjee blames national environmental groups for delaying pipeline approvals

Concerns over climate change have given rise to a "national keep-it-in-the-ground movement resisting any natural gas project as a matter of principle," Chatterjee said in a speech before gas executives Thursday.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 1, 2017

Middle-agers lead on using energy-saving devices, but overall adoption is low

About one quarter of customers have such items in their homes, with smart thermostats the most popular device.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 1, 2017

CPUC: SDG&E may not recover $379M from consumers for 2007 wildfires

The closely-watched decision could have implications for other utilities — including Pacific Gas & Electric which is under scrutiny for its role in wildfires that devastated Sonoma and Napa counties this fall. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 1, 2017

Updated: California political commission requests emails related to San Bruno explosion

The California Fair Political Practices Commission wants information on political aide Susan Kennedy's communications with the state's Public Utilities Commission since 2012.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 28, 2017

Gas rush: FERC's pipeline approvals underline persisting controversy over permitting

The federal agency has approved 8 Bcf/d of pipeline capacity in recent months, resisting calls to expand its evaluation procedures.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 28, 2017

DOE identifies possible microgrid opportunities in Puerto Rico

The island continues to struggle with rebuilding its electric grid after Hurricane Maria, but federal officials say there is progress in making the power supply more resilient.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 28, 2017

Whitefish Energy resumes work in Puerto Rico after 'good faith' payment

The Montana company had ceased work to repair the island's electric grid over an unpaid $83 million bill for work that was completed in October.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 27, 2017

California lawmakers want to block utilities from passing on wildfire costs

Following October wildfires that devastated Sonoma and Napa counties, California lawmakers are considering a measure to block utilities from recovering costs if their equipment is determined to be at fault.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 27, 2017

Has California built its last natural gas plant?

Two pending decisions from state regulators will decide how the Golden State moves toward a clean(er) energy future. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 22, 2017

Whitefish Energy halts restoration work in Puerto Rico over $83M bill

The controversial contract has been terminated, but the company and Puerto Rico officials agreed it would complete work in progress and remain on the island through the end of November.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 21, 2017

Class action lawsuit targets Eversource, Avangrid over pipeline scheduling

An EDF report alleging the two utilities artificially constrained pipeline capacity has sparked a class action lawsuit from consumers who say the practice raised their electricity rates. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 20, 2017

Mississippi utilities seek higher rates as gas prices rise

However, Southern Co. subsidiary Mississippi Power says its rate increase is separate from its efforts to recover costs from the Kemper coal gasification plant. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2017

Latest GridEx simulation models 'fake news' campaigns, Ukraine cyberattack

More than 6,000 participants from roughly 400 organizations participated last week in North American Electric Reliability Corp.'s biennial GridEx training exercise.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2017

Rhode Island grid mod plan to focus on renewables integration, cost control

The blueprint released by the state's energy agencies also focuses on customer choice, grid flexibility, new utility earnings models and increased reliability. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2017

Northern Pass transmission project moves closer to construction with DOE approval

Eversource Energy wants to construct a 192-mile transmission line that would move hydroelectric power from Canada to New England.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2017

APS customers say new bills higher than expected after rate case decision

Customers within Arizona Public Service Co. could fight for a rehearing over the rate case if they sign a petition with enough names, but a reversal of the increase is unlikely. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2017

NERC: Growing gas reliance demands new planning strategies

A new report calls for regulators to consider fuel diversity as they evaluate electric system plans and establish energy policy objectives. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2017

DC regulators approve Pepco's $500M undergrounding initiative

The project will take between six to eight years to complete and aims to improve power reliability in the District of Columbia.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 15, 2017

Do utilities need rate design for electric vehicle charging?

A Massachusetts muni is using analytics and a traditional marketing approach to shift EV charging off-peak. Will it work for everyone?

By Krysti Shallenberger • Nov. 15, 2017

As feds focus on baseload, grid modernization is sweeping the nation

More than 30 states are considering far-reaching modernization and utility business model reforms, including new initiatives to integrate battery storage into grid planning processes. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 14, 2017

National Grid teams with national lab to study transmission modernization, storage

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory​ Director Steven Ashby said new technologies will improve reliability and resilience in strong weather events and cyber attacks.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 14, 2017

Federal judge rejects outside oversight for Puerto Rico utility

The federal oversight board for Puerto Rico had sought to appoint a "chief transformation officer" for PREPA with all the powers of a CEO.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 14, 2017