DC Circuit pipeline ruling could prompt dramatic shift in FERC power sector actions, attorneys say

The ruling could have major consequences for stakeholders requesting a rehearing from the commission in the gas and electricity sectors.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 8, 2020

Taking Charge: Wisconsin's newest utility commissioner on the state's 'utility-scale changeover'

Wisconsin Public Service Commissioner Tyler Huebner spoke to Utility Dive about the state's transition from coal and toward a greener, more distributed grid.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 6, 2020

NERA counters broad opposition to FERC net metering petition, reveals utility-linked member

Attorneys for the New England Ratepayers Association have revealed one of its members — the president and founder of energy consulting firm Brant Energy, whose clients include National Grid, Eversource and DTE Energy.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 2, 2020

Florida's customer-sited solar reaches new heights as regulators oppose federal petition to upend net metering

The Florida Public Service Commission joined other states to oppose a national petition in support of state-led net metering policies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 1, 2020

House Democrats release sweeping climate proposal calling for net-zero US emissions by 2050

The proposal does not eliminate natural gas fracking and leaves the door open for carbon capture technology.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 1, 2020

Battery energy storage is getting cheaper, but how much deployment is too much?

As renewable penetrations rise, batteries are the answer to variability, but it is not clear when buying more storage stops increasing reliability.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 30, 2020

Consumer demand prompts aggressive shift toward renewables, storage at Tucson Electric Power

Solar, wind and energy storage systems will account for 70% of TEP's generation capacity by 2035, according to the utility.

By Emma Penrod • June 30, 2020

Comprehensive energy bill could see Senate floor as early as July: Murkowski chief counsel

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, "is absolutely 110% committed to this bill," Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chief Counsel Lucy Murfitt said. "She's gonna fight until there's just simply no path forward left for the bill."

By Catherine Morehouse • June 30, 2020

House Democrats unveil major clean energy bill as Senate GOP mulls timeline for economic stimulus

Democrats' clean energy push has not gained traction, but Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., says Republicans will come to the table eventually.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated July 2, 2020

Late-stage changes to Vogtle nuclear construction activities are credit negative: Moody's

The ratings agency's decision comes as the Vogtle expansion grapples with a variety of unforeseen issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 29, 2020

FPL, JEA to retire 848 MW unit of largest US coal plant

Plant Scherer in Georgia will lose about one-quarter of its capacity when unit 4 closes Jan. 1, 2022.

By Matthew Bandyk • June 29, 2020

A COVID-19 hit to public power? For some, it's not all bad

Municipal utilities and other public power entities have unique challenges, and some advantages, when dealing with the financial impacts of the pandemic and recession.

By Matthew Bandyk • June 25, 2020

Manchin presses FERC to keep West Virginia coal online, as advocate questions identity of new plant owners

Longview Power declared bankruptcy in April, citing pressure from natural gas, a mild winter and the COVID-19 pandemic on its sole asset, a 700 MW merchant coal-fired plant.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 24, 2020

Could the aspirations of a small Memphis utility signal the beginning of the end for TVA?

Stymied by years of high prices that seem likely to increase, communities across the six-state TVA region are weighing the possibility of leaving the federally-owned utility.

By Emma Penrod • June 22, 2020

The truth about the future of gas: We don't need to build anymore

"Let’s clear away the myths about gas, renewables and the grid," writes UC Berkeley professor David Wooley, co-author of a recent report that said a 90% clean electricity system is feasible in the U.S. by 2035. 

By David Wooley • June 22, 2020

Corporate carbon reduction targets get boost with new EEI, WRI utility emission rate tool

The database, now containing information from about half of the Edison Electric Institute's members, helps customers calculate more easily the emissions related to their energy use.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 22, 2020

Pilgrim decommissioning deal surpasses federal requirements, requires cybersecurity plan

Massachusetts and Holtec have agreed on financial guarantees, cleanup standards, interim spent fuel storage and other requirements for dismantling the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth.

By Guy Burdick • June 19, 2020

Divided FERC approves New England ISO short-term fuel security plan despite cost concerns

The program would compensate resources that help ensure winter reliability, but Commissioner Richard Glick warned the $300 million price tag would be an unnecessary "windfall" for some generators.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2020

FERC schedules technical conferences on carbon pricing, offshore wind integration challenges

The meetings will examine whether the regulatory body has the legal authority to implement carbon pricing, as well as how grid operators can better address transmission concerns for offshore wind.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 19, 2020

Cleantech incubator Greentown Labs expands to Houston

The incubator will offer testing space to early stage, climate-focused companies in an effort to make Houston the "energy transition capital of the world." 

By Chris Teale • June 17, 2020

Vectren bucks Indiana legislature with plan to reduce coal mix 78% to 12% by 2025

The utility will add up to 1,000 MW of solar + storage, among other renewable resources, bringing its energy mix to 64% renewable energy plus demand response in the next five years.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 17, 2020

FERC accepts Tri-State exit fee methodology as jurisdiction battle looms with Colorado

Tri-State and its member cooperatives looking to leave its service territory are at odds over whether federal or state regulators should have the final say on exit fees. Observers say the battle will likely reach the courts.

By Robert Walton • June 16, 2020

Utilities remain mute on FERC net metering petition, leave filing to face overwhelming opposition

Pacific Gas and Electric, Xcel Energy, Duke Energy and others filed motions to intervene, but ultimately elected not to comment, while bipartisan federal and state political leaders, regulators and others expressed strong opposition.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 16, 2020

Minnesota Power to reach 50% renewables in 2021 with Canadian hydropower

The utility energized a $700 million 224-mile transmission line last week that will bring 250 MW of hydropower from Manitoba to Minnesota.

By Catherine Morehouse • June 15, 2020

California regulators establish SCE, PG&E as central procurement buyers, to the dismay of CCAs

Despite the growth of community choice aggregators, regulators feared allowing numerous entities to buy small amounts of local resource adequacy would create market concerns.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 15, 2020