ABB shores up electrification business with $2.6B GE unit purchase

The Swiss company expects its acquisition of GE Industrial solutions will close by mid 2018 and increase its presence in North America.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 28, 2017

As Perry slams state pipeline decisions, lawyers say DOE has little authority to intervene

The Secretary of Energy has cast energy infrastructure as a national security issue, but his agency has little power over siting decisions.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Electricity Supply and Demand

After nearly two decades of flat demand, U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024 and is expected to continue rising. This trendline brings together the best of Utility Dive’s coverage of emerging trends in supply and demand and the decisions being made today that will impact the power system for years to come. 

By Utility Dive staff

Crisis in Puerto Rico deepens as generator fuel supplies run low

Fuel is being delivered by armed guard to hospitals with generators to avoid looting, Reuters reported.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2017

Central Maine Power seeks permit to transmit cheap hydro from Canada

The company expects the 1,200 MW New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line to produce significant cost savings for customers by holding down future wholesale electricity prices.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2017

Mission impossible? How utilities are minimizing disruptions from inevitable storms

Grid hardening, automation and flood monitoring are some of the ways utilities are reducing outages and accelerating recovery efforts after recent hurricanes.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2017

Perry: DOE still weighing state policy intervention for gas pipelines, grid reliability

The federal agency could intervene in state energy policies when there is a national security interest, particularly in interstate pipeline disputes, Secretary Rick Perry said at a Monday event in Washington, D.C.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 26, 2017

Puerto Rico power grid 'devastated' by Maria, PREPA CEO says

The bankrupt utility may have lost 80% of its T&D infrastructure, its CEO said on Friday.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 25, 2017

Sempra-backed study slams San Diego community choice aspirations

While the city believes developing a community choice aggregation program could grow clean energy, a consultant says the cost could reach into the billions.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2017

Mountain West Transmission Group moves to join SPP

The group of 10 western power providers could be integrated into SPP markets as soon as late 2019.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 25, 2017

Indiana regulators approve Vectren's 7-year grid modernization plan

Per a settlement, Vectren's $514 million proposal was reduced to $446 million in grid modernization investments.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2017

Illinois Supreme Court ruling endangers Clean Line transmission project

However, the ruling specified that developers of the Rock Island Clean Line project can reapply for state approval.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2017

GridLiance completes transmission acquisition from Nevada utility

More than 17,000 member-owners of the Valley Electric Association are receiving checks of nearly $600 for the sale of the 230-kV lines.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2017

High returns on new pipelines spur unnecessary capacity, report argues

Returns on pipelines can be 40% higher than on other utility projects, a new report from Oil Change International notes.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2017

Gas pipeline protesters turn up heat on FERC

Activists disrupted the federal agency's first open meeting since January, saying regulators disregard environmental risks and facilitate land grabs by pipeline companies.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 21, 2017

Updated: Puerto Rico completely without power after Maria thrashes the island

The island territory escaped a direct hit from Hurricane Irma earlier this month, but officials say Maria is likely to be one of the most destructive storms in Puerto Rico's history.

By Krysti Shallenberger , Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2017

Commonwealth Edison, Illinois Tech partner on 'microgrid cluster'

Over the summer, ComEd proposed a microgrid for Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, which would then connect to an existing microgrid on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2017

Class action lawsuit targets FPL, Hurricane Irma recovery

Filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, the lawsuit claims Florida Power & Light did not harden its system against storms in recent years, despite collecting monthly fees for just that purpose. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 20, 2017

Michigan regulators make changes to state's choice program

The full impact of a local clearing requirement on the state's electricity choice market is not yet known.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2017

As operators update grid planning for renewables, transmission remains key constraint

Flexibility and pricing reform are also challenges facing operators as they prepare the grid for more renewable energy. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2017

FERC overrules New York permit denial for Millennium gas pipeline

The decision could signal that Trump's FERC appointees are more open to reversing state regulatory decisions on fossil fuel infrastructure. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2017

Irma restoration expected to conclude this week as Duke apologizes for lapses

Florida Power & Light still has 300,000 customers without power and Duke Energy missed a self-imposed restoration deadline, sowing discontent among thousands. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2017

PJM task force heads into the next stage of capacity market redesign

The grid operator's capacity construct group will begin evaluating 10 proposals for market reforms this week.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 18, 2017

Missouri regulators to tackle utility regulations, DERs

The state's Public Service Commission will hold workshops in November and January that target emerging issues in regulation and resource planning.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2017

Colorado regulators deny much of Boulder's muni plan

The state's Public Utilities Commission conditionally approved a partial list of assets for transfer from Xcel, but denied the city's proposed path forward.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2017

Virginia Supreme Court upholds utility rate freeze law

Utilities say the five-year freeze protects customers from Clean Power Plan compliance, but consumer advocates argue it allows power companies overcharge ratepayers without regulatory review. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 15, 2017