National Grid settlement curbs rate increase, ups grid mod in Rhode Island

The agreement is part of Rhode Island's power sector transformation and calls for investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, energy storage and advanced metering.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2018

Gas pipeline group slams DOE memo to save coal, nuclear plants

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America called DOE's depiction of energy security threats "fundamentally flawed, particularly as it relates to natural gas pipelines." 

By Gavin Bade • June 8, 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

New England fully integrates demand response into wholesale markets

The grid operator for the region says it is the first to incorporate active demand resources into the energy dispatch and reserve-designation process.

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2018

New Missouri law authorizes Ameren to invest $1B, cuts rates

Missouri Senate approval of the bill last month prompted Morningstar analysts to raise Ameren's share-price valuation.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2018

Florida regulators OK FPL purchase of Vero Beach electric system

The $185 million deal has been a decade in the making and was almost scuttled by concerns from the Public Service Commission staff.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2018

Southwest Power Pool to provide reliability-coordination services in the West

The reshuffling of coordinators in the West is a result of utilities looking to keep costs low while maintaining reliability.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2018

FERC splits again on affiliates, climate in Florida pipeline approval

Both the owner and offtaker of the Florida Lateral Project are owned by NextEra Energy, raising questions from one regulator about whether the pipeline is needed. 

By Gavin Bade • June 5, 2018

Grid mod policy actions jump 75%, with storage playing a central role

While the number of actions rose significantly from Q1 2017 to Q1 2018, they remained within the same set of 37 states, according to the latest edition of 50 States of Grid Modernization.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 5, 2018

Puerto Rico's utility signs $500M recovery contract with MasTec

It is the second large contract signed by the island's bankrupt utility in as many weeks, and a third is in the pipeline. 

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2018

Colorado integrates storage into utility planning process

Gov. Hickenlooper signed a bill Friday directing the state's Public Utilities Commission to develop procurement rules to enable investor-owned utilities to acquire energy storage systems.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2018

PSEG proposes more than $5B in efficiency, grid upgrades

The proposal includes almost $3 billion for energy efficiency, electric vehicle infrastructure and energy storage. It expands an investment plan that now stands at $14 billion to $17 billion over the next five years.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2018

Duke agrees to cut North Carolina grid modernization plan by $5.3B

The utility will deploy at least 300 MW of energy storage projects on its system in North Carolina by May 2026, as part of a deal reached with environmental groups.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2018

Xcel Energy Minnesota approved to test residential time-of-use rates in 2020

Utilities around the country are exploring rate structures that send more effective price signals to the customer. Californians will have TOU rates by default, beginning next year.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2018

DOE cybersecurity report reveals 7 'gaps' in power sector defense capabilities

The assessment warns restoration following a cyberattack "could be more challenging than previously experienced," in part due to the unprecedented nature of such an incident.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2018

Will batteries do for wind what they're doing for solar?

Experts say wind-plus-storage could become viable with longer-duration batteries. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 31, 2018

DOE IG report faults FERC pipeline reviews for lack of transparency

FERC should improve information sharing on pipeline applications, including upgrading its online "eLibrary" portal and better track comments throughout the process, the DOE Inspector General said. 

By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2018

NERC: Texas, California will face tight markets this summer

Texas is facing a generation shortfall, due in part to plant retirements, and California is facing a limit on natural gas output due to Aliso Canyon storage facility constraints.

By Robert Walton • May 31, 2018

Salt River Project launches first standalone storage project

SRP is buying power from a new 10 MW battery system by an AES/Siemens venture, as it works to increase the reliability of its system and offset renewable energy installations.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2018

Xcel to add 1.2 GW of wind to Texas, New Mexico mix, as PUC gives formal OK

The utility's plan nearly doubles the amount of wind capacity in that service area through two wind farms and a power purchase agreement from wind farms developed by NextEra.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2018

Cal Fire: PG&E violated state law, causing 3 wildfires last year

State officials released their first investigations into the 2017 California wildfire season last week, which could pose up to a $12 billion liability for PG&E.

By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018

State regulators approve Westar, Great Plains Energy $15B merger

Kansas and Missouri regulators approved the deal after the companies removed a $4.9 billion acquisition premium that Great Plains proposed to pay for Westar.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2018

South Carolina regulators reject rehearing for controversial SCE&G solar rates

The utility's most recent avoided cost calculations lower the rates paid to PURPA projects to $0/kW-year.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2018

Trump abandons plan to sell off BPA power assets

The White House plan to sell off four federal power authorities, floated in its last two budget proposals, was opposed by electric co-op and municipal utility groups.

By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018

New Hampshire denies rehearing on Northern Pass line rejection

A state siting board refused to revisit its rejection of the high-profile transmission project. Massachusettes will likely look to other projects to meet its clean energy goals.

By Gavin Bade • May 24, 2018

New Jersey regulators approve PSE&G's $1.9B gas system modernization plan

Urgency played a role in the decision to replace about 900 miles of pipelines, which were prone to leaks.

By Robert Walton • May 23, 2018