Wind developer joins $3B transmission project poised to be 'backbone' for Western power markets

The 730-mile TransWest Express project from Wyoming to Nevada could provide Southwest utilities with low-cost wind while facilitating participation in potential area-wide power markets, regional experts say.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 7, 2021

Texas power plants 'ready for winter' following weatherization assessment, ERCOT says

On-site inspections of more than 300 generating units mean consumers "can be confident" the power system will remain stable this winter, according to the grid operator.

By Robert Walton • Updated Jan. 5, 2022

Trends to watch in energy storage in 2022

By the end of 2030, the energy storage industry will break the 1 terawatt (TW) threshold. Wärtsilä's Vice President of Energy Storage and Optimization, Andrew Tang shares his thoughts on the trends we'll see unfold as a result.

By Andrew Tang, Vice President, Energy Storage and Optimization • Dec. 6, 2021

North Carolina regulators give Duke 4 months to craft carbon reduction plan

In a separate decision, the North Carolina Utilities Commission declined to accept the power supply portfolio portion of the long-range resource plans for Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolinas.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 23, 2021

NY regulator's shortsighted decision on NRG and Danskammer gas plants may cause future power shortages

The only viable answer at this time to fill the electric reliability hole that policymakers are digging is the conversion of existing and new state-of-the-art natural gas-fired generation plants to use "green hydrogen," the author writes.

By Arnold R. Wallenstein • Nov. 18, 2021

Changing climate and electricity mix renew region-wide power market ambitions for the 'Wild West'

Replacing today's "inflexible" dispatch in 11 Western states with an RTO's optimized operations and avoided capacity costs could deliver up to $1.3 billion in annual benefits, according to a DOE-funded study.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 15, 2021

FERC approves ISO-NE's request to strip proposed Connecticut gas-fired power plant of capacity contract

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Monday decision means NTE Energy's Killingly project won't be in ISO New England's capacity auction next month.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Jan. 5, 2022

Entergy Mississippi readies push into renewable power with plans to add 1 GW

The utility's decision is part of a larger plan designed to help counteract soaring natural gas costs on its gas-fired electric plants.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 11, 2021

Texas blackouts prompt New York ISO to consider 'once in a century' winter events

Extreme weather and widespread blackouts in Texas and the Southwest last winter have changed the way grid operators consider capacity risks, say experts.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2021

Dominion pushes ahead with shift from non-regulated assets, echoing Exelon, DTE and other utilities

The company continues on a path to focus on its "attractive regulated utility businesses" and to lower business risks with a new sale, according to its chief financial officer.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 9, 2021

California should revisit shutting down Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, Stanford, MIT analysis finds

Keeping the 2,240 MW nuclear plant running past its planned 2025 retirement would reduce power sector carbon emissions, save money and improve grid reliability, according to the report.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 8, 2021

Biden signs $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill with funding for EVs, transmission, hydrogen

Biden also created a task force to be run by former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu to help coordinate the spending.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Nov. 16, 2021

Duke Energy eyes offshore wind, advanced nuclear, to meet NC decarbonization goals

Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good told analysts Thursday the company is exploring an array of options to meet North Carolina's new decarbonization goals.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 8, 2021

The future of energy is virtual, integrated and not so disruptive after all

All eyes are on the United Nations Climate Change Conference and there's been no shortage of new climate commitments presented. One thing is clear– decarbonization goals are here to stay and only becoming more aggressive.

By Andrew Tang • Nov. 8, 2021

New England electricity use will grow more than 1% annually amid electrification push, says ISO

The ISO New England grid will be challenged by extreme weather and a changing resource mix, according to a biennial report from the grid operator. Generators say there is increasing urgency to address issues in wholesale markets.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2021

FERC's Christie calls for fixing interconnection 'chaos' as first step in transmission reform

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could tackle sweeping transmission changes in pieces, according to an agency official.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 4, 2021

Unlocking the Transition: Biden, Congress aim to fill gap from clean electricity plan's demise

Sen. Joe Manchin's rejection of the plan has led to a scramble for potential alternatives, with a proposal by Reps. Kurt Schrader and David McKinley gaining support from major players in the utility sector.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 4, 2021

EPA ability to regulate power sector GHG emissions at risk as Supreme Court takes case, analysts say

The court decided Friday to review a lower court rejection of a Trump era rule in a move that analysts say does not bode well for EPA's authority over the power sector.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 2, 2021

COP26: Biden apologizes for US climate inaction, issues long-term plan for reaching net zero emissions

The plan asks the electric sector to eliminate emissions by 2035 through transmission upgrades, energy efficiency, storage and non-emitting generation, along with several other strategies.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2021

'A big win for customers': Stakeholders praise South Carolina Supreme Court ruling on Duke coal ash costs

Duke had sought to raise rates in South Carolina to pay for coal ash remediation required by North Carolina. 

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 1, 2021

Vistra sues FERC over decision setting offer caps for PJM capacity market

With PJM's next capacity auction set for January, Vistra intends to ask the appeals court to review the case on a fast-track process.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Nov. 5, 2021

House passes Build Back Better, tees up Senate vote on funding for climate, clean energy and electric vehicles

The bill's passage comes days after President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that also boosts spending on shifting the U.S. away from fossil fuels.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Nov. 19, 2021

Xcel CEO: Capital required for green hydrogen production 'could be material' over balance of the decade

Xcel has been selected to test a hydrogen production method in one of its nuclear reactors and is exploring five to eight additional hydrogen projects, Bob Frenzel said Thursday on the company's third quarter earnings call.

By Larry Pearl • Oct. 29, 2021

APS vows legal action after Arizona regulators deny cost recovery for $215.5M coal plant upgrades

Regulators approved the utility’s first rate decrease since 1996, while voting against full cost recovery for APS' investment in upgrades to a coal plant being closed earlier than initially planned.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Updated Nov. 3, 2021

Hydropower's absence in the reconciliation bill is a major gap in U.S. clean energy strategy

Hydro helps integrate wind and solar, so why isn't it supported in the reconciliation bill?

By Alicia Barton • Oct. 28, 2021