Wisconsin utility plans to retire 345 MW of coal early as controversial natural gas plans remain in flux

Dairyland Power Cooperative is shutting down a coal plant in anticipation of a new natural gas project coming online, but the facility continues to face regulatory hurdles across Minnesota and Wisconsin.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 27, 2020

When states pick expensive policies under the guise of 'states' rights,' consumers pay

The inconsistency between state choices and wholesale power markets has reached a boiling point, and it's time someone closed the lid, writes EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler.

By Todd A. Snitchler • Jan. 23, 2020

Proposed bill would include large hydro, nuclear in California's renewable portfolio standard

The proposed legislation would also temporarily suspend the state's renewable portfolio standard so utilities could focus investments on infrastructure and vegetation management.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 23, 2020

Arizona Public Service sets 100% clean energy target, but doesn't rule out carbon capture for gas plants

Renewables advocates cheered the announcement but called for earlier coal closures and more specifics on community support, and for state regulators to set a 100% clean energy standard.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2020

2020 Utility Dive Outlooks: What's in store for coal, gas, renewables, DER and beyond

2020 promises to be another busy year across the U.S. power sector as the energy transition gathers more steam.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 23, 2020

A path forward for New England to a low-carbon future: Why a capacity market still matters

Significant work remains to integrate state decarbonization policies into the ISO New England and its wholesale markets, the author writes.

By Dan Dolan • Jan. 22, 2020

FERC MOPR order may have 'paradoxically unintended consequences': PJM

FERC's December order "might have made the process more administrative, more uncertain than it needs to be," a PJM official told stakeholders in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.  

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 22, 2020

Ameren, Xcel, Dominion, Duke among most at-risk from changing climate: Moody's

Extreme heat and flooding, along with water scarcity and more severe hurricanes related to climate change, present long-term risks to utility assets, the credit rating agency found.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 22, 2020

Indiana's Hoosier Energy to retire its 1,070 MW coal plant by 2023

The plant makes up over half the utility's current generation mix and did not previously have a set retirement date.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 22, 2020

New York regulators recommend charging infrastructure plan expected to deliver $2.6B in net benefits

The program will cover up to 90% of costs for "make-ready" charging stations to lower cost barriers for developers.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 21, 2020

Georgia bill would require companies to treat coal ash like municipal solid waste

The proposed legislation would impose stricter regulations on coal ash cleanup, requiring landfills holding the waste to have bottom liners and leachate collection systems.

By E.A. Crunden • Jan. 17, 2020

California launches rulemaking to manage transition away from natural gas

The California Public Utilities Commission will look into updating current reliability standards, as well as long-term contracting and tariff change rules.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 17, 2020

US hit record $55.5B renewables investments in 2019

A slow start to 2019 ended with a flurry of offshore and onshore wind investments led by the U.S., China and Europe.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 17, 2020

2020 Outlook: US renewable resources on steady course for increased deployment

"In 2020, there’s sort of a 'come on in, the water's warm' element of excitement and momentum" around renewable energy procurement, one analyst said.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 16, 2020

Indiana bill would require Trump administration or state regulator blessing to retire coal plants early

The bill would prevent utilities from retiring plants early or otherwise decreasing operations unless explicitly directed by the federal government, not counting the Environmental Protection Agency.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 16, 2020

Tri-State announces major renewables shift with 1 GW in new projects, but questions remain

Tri-State announced a total of six new wind and solar projects and a forecast of 50% renewables use by its members by 2024, along with plans to abandon a proposed coal plant in Kansas.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 16, 2020

BLM OKs $1B California desert solar project praised for balanced approach amid ongoing controversy

The Natural Resources Defense Council said the 450 MW project balanced solar development and natural resource protection, but a potential federal update to a California desert energy plan remains a point of contention.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 16, 2020

Wind + solar expected to add 61 GW over next two years: EIA

Renewable energy is expected to grow quickly alongside steady natural gas growth as more capacity is needed to replace retiring coal.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020

Early utility regulator retirement gives Wisconsin opportunity to move on third party solar impasse

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a renewable energy proponent, will have the chance to shift the state's utility regulatory body toward his agenda after Commissioner Mike Huebsch's early retirement.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020

Ash ponds: Keep calm and close in place

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to closing coal ash ponds, the author writes, cautioning against jumping to preordained conclusions on how to address the coal generation byproduct.

By Steven A. Burns is a partner at Balch & Bingham, LLP as part of the Environmental and Natural Resources practice. • Jan. 15, 2020

Water scarcity accelerates plans to close Xcel's Tolk coal plant by a decade

Xcel Energy subsidiary Southwestern Public Service plans to submit an analysis on the plant's abandonment and replacement options by 2021.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 15, 2020

2020 outlook: Natural gas faces regulatory, environmental scrutiny but still wants role in carbon-free grid

Aggressive natural gas investments in recent years may bring the sector to its tipping point. But some stakeholders say the fuel still has an important role to play in a decarbonized future.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020

Will deep decarbonization include nuclear? Possibly, with many caveats

Nuclear has a potential role in a low carbon future only if it is guaranteed to deliver electricity at a levelized cost under $0.076/kWh, the author writes.

By Levin Nock • Jan. 14, 2020

2020 Outlook: Coal faces headwinds from aging plants, adverse market signals and high remediation costs

Despite persistent economic challenges, the coal industry continues to fight to preserve its place in the U.S. energy mix.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 14, 2020

Kansas considering securitization for aging coal plants, but caution urged

Is "securitization fever" catching on in Kansas?

By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 14, 2020