Can buying local help communities save money on power?

Communities are striking their own power deals in search of the right blend and price of power.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 3, 2014

University of Maine tests 180-foot wind turbine blade

Seeking greater efficiency, the push may be to larger wind turbines.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 3, 2014

Southern Company financials, increasing load get investor attention

The powerhouse utility is using profits to add nuclear, advanced coal, and renewables.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 2, 2014

Cape Wind opponents heading back to appeals court -- again

Koch-backed lawsuit claims Massachusetts regulators pushed the utility and violated federal laws.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 2, 2014

What happened to that national high voltage transmission system?

New lines are still needed but local obstacles remain in many places.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 2, 2014

Austin utility pushes back on renewables requirements

Advocates say Austin can add 800 megawatts of solar by 2020 and hold rates down. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 29, 2014

Vivint, second-largest U.S. solar leasing company, files for $200 million IPO

On track for $17 million in 2014 revenues, the company will also triple its losses this year.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 29, 2014

Nevada PUC approves EIM for NV Energy, foresees millions in benefits

The company should be able to sell more natural gas, add renewables, and cut reserve costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 29, 2014

Duke Energy strikes deal to buy, not build, generation in Florida

The utility reached a deal with Calpine to buy a 537 MW plant in Auburndale, Florida.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2014

Minnesota Power, National Guard partner to build largest solar farm in state

The Camp Ridley array will meet the utility’s solar mandate and cut costs for the Guard.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 27, 2014

HECO aims to triple rooftop solar, get to 65% renewables by 2030

Microgrids, energy storage, community solar, and more demand response are coming to the islands.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 27, 2014

13 states argue proposed EPA emissions rule invalidated by missing data

The states say EPA left out "vital" net heat rate and emissions data and 84% of modeling runs.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2014

NRC rubber-stamps nuclear fuel storage rule, ends licensing moratorium

NRC Chair Allison Macfarlane has directed her staff to further consider the potential range of environmental impacts for indefinite, no-repository storage.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2014

A utility in the making: The municipalization of Boulder, Colorado

 A fight between Colorado regulators and the district court will decide who owns the poles and wires.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 27, 2014

Fitch: Financial innovation to fuel residential solar growth

Already under fire, the traditional utility model will face further challenges from new investor classes and financing arrangements.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2014

RMI: Electricity pricing must adapt to embrace distributed generation

But changes to traditional pricing structures could be disruptive, the report's authors warn.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2014

California set to impose statewide solar permitting and interconnection standards

Efficiencies that cut installation delays could save solar buyers $1,000.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2014

Ex-NRC inspector: California's Diablo Canyon nuclear plant needs to be shut down

The Napa earthquake causes the Senate to investigate.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2014

Salt River Project mulls smart inverters to ease solar transition

The growth in rooftop solar installations could cause problems for the Arizona utility.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2014

How Sacramento's public utility is getting in the residential solar business

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District wants to be customers' trusted advisor on all things solar. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 25, 2014

TVA picks new $975M natural gas plant over coal plant retrofit

The TVA directors cut coal and add flexibility that could eventually support new renewables.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 25, 2014

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Energy wants to get rid of net metering

A new policy should pay for the grid and push distributed energy resources to peak periods, a company strategy paper says.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 25, 2014

Calpine to buy Exelon's Fore River gas-oil plant in New England

Oil-burning capacity for next winter is worth $655 per kilowatt.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 25, 2014

Massive solar project lands SoCal Edison contract, but Duke Energy withdraws as investor

Duke Energy won't say why it will no longer be contributing to the 247-MW project in California. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2014

Verizon invests $40M to expand distributed solar program

The company will install more than 10 MW of solar generating capacity at eight of its facilities.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2014