How the global fuel mix will transform itself over the next 25 years

The world is moving toward a new kind of power sector with renewables at the backbone of the grid.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 8, 2015

In first, natural gas outpaces coal for US electricity generation

In April the United States generated more power from gas than coal, a first ever and a significant milestone in the shift away from dirtier sources of fuel.

By Robert Walton • July 7, 2015

How California's biggest utilities plan to integrate distributed resources

New plans filed with state regulators show where DERs should go and how much they are worth to utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2015

Ameren Illinois joins call for MISO capacity auction scrutiny

The utility joined others in asking federal regulators to help explain a price spike in Zone 4 during a controversial capacity auction that will lead to higher bills for its customers.

By Robert Walton • July 7, 2015

Appalachian Power plans to expand renewables, cut coal use in IRP

Within a decade and a half, coal will make up just over half of the utility's generation mix according to its Integrated Resources Plan, filed with Virginia regulators last week.

By Robert Walton • July 7, 2015

Michigan Senate bills would keep electric choice, eliminate renewable & efficiency mandates

A proposal would maintain the state's 10% energy choice law, but with added restrictions to ensure alternative suppliers maintain adequate capacity.

By Robert Walton • July 7, 2015

Oklahoma sues to block EPA Clean Power Plan

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency alleging the Clean Power Plan will threaten both the reliability and affordaibility of power in the state.

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2015

Marijuana grow houses boost Denver power demand, complicating efficiency plans

Nearly half of new electricity demand in the city is coming from businesses that grow pot. 

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2015

Dominion questions solar, praises coal, decries carbon rules in IRP filing

Dominion has filed its Integrated Resource Plan with Virginia regulators, but warned that the federal government's Clean Power Plan leaves the company in a state of uncertainty.

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2015

Ohio Gov. Kasich vetoes property tax exemption for power plants

Ohio Gov. John Kasich bucked the generation sector in issuing a line item veto of a budget item exempting power plants from proprety tax.

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2015

SolarCity adds Tesla battery to its new solar-plus-storage home product

The new offering will provide backup power now and be a grid services tool in the future, company officials say.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 6, 2015

What the Supreme Court MATS ruling means for utilities and the EPA Clean Power Plan

The mercury rules will likely survive, legal experts say, but the fate of the agency's looming carbon regulations is less certain.

By Gavin Bade • July 2, 2015

White House rejects biomass as carbon neutral

In a policy statement opposing House efforts to undermine environmental reforms, the Obama administration said it opposed efforts to declare forest biomass fuels as 'carbon neutral.'

By Robert Walton • July 2, 2015

HECO files with regulators to cut solar net metering rates in half

HECO also wants to up the minimum monthly bill to cover a cost shift it says costs $53 million per year.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 2, 2015

Austin Energy gets record low solar bids at under 4 cents/kWh

Solar bids are getting cheaper so quickly that the utility is asking its oversight arm to slow down approvals so it can get the best deal possible.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 2, 2015

What happened when NRG Energy disrupted its own business model

The country’s biggest independent power producer is going retail with rooftop solar, EV chargers, and connected consumer products.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 1, 2015

Lower gas prices edge coal out of SPP market

June coal-fired generation on the Southwest Power Pool grid fell more than 6% year-over-year.

By Robert Walton • July 1, 2015

Georgia Power unveils rooftop solar installation offering

The utility will not yet offer leasing or loan financing and the solar arrays "will not be rate based assets," an executive told Utility Dive.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 1, 2015

Obama calls for 20% renewables by 2030 as Brazil, China join in new climate goals

The United States, Brazil and China all announced climate change initiatives yesterday, calling for conservation, emissions reductions and more non-hydro renewable resources.

By Robert Walton • July 1, 2015

Maine lawmakers override Gov. LePage's veto of value of solar bill

Huge bipartisan majorities send “Ratepayer Focused Strategy” for solar to state regulators, while LePage looks increasingly weak.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 1, 2015

DOE-backed floating wind project may lose funding as utilities reject power prices

Utilities they can buy onshore wind at a quarter of the price of WindFloat’s ocean wind electricity.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 30, 2015

Study: More than half of large US businesses generate power on site

Businesses are increasingly focused on keeping down energy costs, and a growing number are generating some portion of their own electricity needs.

By Robert Walton • June 30, 2015

Supreme Court rejects EPA MATS rule

The agency interpreted the Clean Air Act unreasonably by not considering costs in crafting the emissions regulations, the court decided on Monday.

By Gavin Bade • June 29, 2015

Minn. PUC approves Xcel-solar industry deal on community shared solar

State regulators limit co-located projects to 5 MW while Xcel promises to speed approvals.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 29, 2015

PJM: Carbon rules could cut coal burn more than 40%

New analysis from the grid operator finds the Clean Power Plan could reduce coal generation by up to 42%, but could also be significantly less.

By Robert Walton • June 29, 2015