California to require rooftop solar for new homes

The state is the first to mandate that new homes be built using advanced energy efficiency measures and rooftop solar, starting in 2020.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 9, 2018

Iowa town narrowly rejects break from Alliant

Supporters of breaking away from the utility are already gearing up for a recount.

By Robert Walton • May 9, 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

Washington utilities need better carbon cost estimates in IRPs, regulator says

Washington utilities file an integrated resource plan every two years. Regulators want to see a more robust assessment of climate change risks in the next one.

By Peter Maloney • May 9, 2018

Virginia regulators reject Dominion's 100% renewables tariff

The Virginia State Corporation Commission determined the proposed tariff would give Dominion "extraordinary discretion" and the rates would be subject to "uncertainty and subjectivity."

By Robert Walton • May 8, 2018

Illinois OKs Ameren plan to lower grid voltage, raise efficiency

New, cost-effective sensors, controls and communication systems will allow Ameren Illinois to maintain lower voltage levels on its system.

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2018

FERC approves elimination of SPP regional entity

Registered entities within the Southwest Power Pool Regional Entity footprint will be transferred to the Midwest Reliability Organization and SERC Reliability Corporation.

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2018

Pennsylavania opens 'future of utility rates' proceeding

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission issued a proposed policy statement calling for utilities to explore alternative ratemaking methodologies. 

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2018

ISO New England hits milestone: More grid power used at night than midday

Officials say this is a first but had been expected, due to the proliferation of distributed resources.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2018

New York ISO: Distributed solar largely to blame for declining load

New York's grid is aging needs an upgrade, but it's also undergoing rapid transition, due to a mix of policy and emerging technologies.

By Robert Walton • May 4, 2018

Solar at the crossroads: Is utility-scale, distributed or both the way to go?

Sunrun says solar's future is on rooftops, but solar advocates and utilities say an advanced power system with utility-scale and distributed energy resources is a better bet.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 3, 2018

DOE IG report slams agency processes over misallocation of funds

The report found the department misallocated $16 million, with failures in training and communication, along with high levels of staff turnover contributing to the error.

By Peter Maloney • May 3, 2018

Iowa town vote on forming muni from Alliant too close to call

Decorah, Iowa, is considering whether to separate from Alliant and form a municipal utility in order to develop more renewable energy. 

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2018

New Hampshire drives efficiency by reducing utility incentives to sell more gas

State regulators moved to "decouple" Liberty Utilities' revenues from its commodity sales, thus encouraging energy efficiency and echoing efforts on the electric side.

By Robert Walton • May 2, 2018

Michigan lawmakers propose to boost consumer-generated renewables

A bipartisan package of five clean energy bills aims to restore "fair-value pricing" for renewable energy sold back to utility companies, among other changes.

By Robert Walton • May 1, 2018

NuScale receives first phase design approval for small modular reactor

There are five more phases in the process, but NuScale says the first is the most rigorous and now expects the NRC to complete certification by September 2020.

By Peter Maloney • May 1, 2018

Supreme Court rejects Constitution Pipeline appeal over NY permit

The decision leaves the pipeline's developer one option: seeking help from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to keep the project on track.

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2018

California fines PG&E $97.5M for improper talks in San Bruno pipeline case

It's the latest in a series of fines totaling more than $2 billion and related to the 2010 natural gas pipeline explosion, which killed eight and destroyed a neighborhood.

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2018

PwC: Power sector deals rose 60% in the first quarter

Two mega deals — Dominion-SCANA and Global Infrastructure Partners-Zephyr Renewables — along with activity in the renewable energy sector drove the increase.

By Peter Maloney • April 27, 2018

Hawaii Gov. Ige signs law mandating performance-based utility regulation

The law goes further than other performance-based efforts, directing the PUC to "break the direct link" between utility revenues and capital investments.

By Gavin Bade • April 25, 2018

Cutting loose generation lifts earnings for FirstEnergy

The company's prospects also were bolstered by an agreement with creditors in the bankruptcy proceeding of subsidiaries FirstEnergy Solutions and FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating.

By Peter Maloney • April 25, 2018

PSEG urges New Jersey to approve $1.9B gas line replacement program

Continued low natural gas prices "make this the ideal time to accelerate this work," the utility said.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2018

CenterPoint Energy to buy Vectren in $6B deal

The proposed combined company would serve 7 million customers in eight states and is the latest in a string of deals centered around Texas utilities. 

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2018

FERC issues NOI seeking comments on gas pipeline evaluations

The NOI seeks comment on how FERC evaluates the need for pipelines, its use of eminent domain, the environmental impact of pipeline projects and the efficiency of FERC's permitting process. 

By Gavin Bade • April 20, 2018

South Carolina vote to lower electric bills could imperil Dominion-SCANA deal

Lawmakers are closer to cutting rates for SCE&G customers, who are paying for the failed Summer nuclear project, but differing House and Senate approaches need to be reconciled.

By Robert Walton • April 19, 2018

Missouri utilities question data collection recommendations in DER report

The report by Public Service Commission staff wants regulators to direct utilities to collect detailed information about distributed energy resources and their impacts to the grid — but utilities have some concerns. 

By Robert Walton • April 17, 2018