As EPA preps coal ash rollback, study finds heightened risks of water, soil contamination

Industry and environmental groups have been anticipating changes to the federal rule, but a Duke University study presented to the EPA suggests health risks of the toxins may be greater than previously thought.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 3, 2019

DC Circuit rejects EPA air rule, requires tighter emission limits on power plants, other sources

While environmenal advocates hailed the court's decision, the EPA has indicated it may appeal the ruling.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2019

Coal group pressed state regulators to ask FERC for resilience action

Six public utility commissioners asked FERC for "some sort of definitive action one way or another" on its resilience docket in light of coal and nuclear plant retirements.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Oct. 14, 2019

Renewable gas or electrification? Minnesota's high stakes experiment on building decarbonization

CenterPoint Energy proposed a green tariff for renewable natural gas that was rejected by Minnesota regulators, but the utility says the fuel is a viable path to decarbonization.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 1, 2019

Minnesota rejects Xcel's 720 MW Mankato gas plant purchase over stranded asset concerns

The utility still plans to buy the facility through an unregulated subsidiary, which some clean energy advocates say could loosen regulatory oversight.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 1, 2019

Shorthanded FERC allows New England capacity auction results to stand

The commissioners said they would have upheld the recent auction results if they had quorum. Meanwhile, the White House tapped FERC general counsel James Danly to fill one of FERC's two open seats.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2019

As Puerto Rico generators trip offline, PREPA relies on load shedding, looks to microgrids

The island utility faces resource adequacy problems as energy regulators consider a plan to reinforce resiliency through eight regional "minigrids."

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 30, 2019

DTE pledges carbon-free power by 2050 banking on utility-scale storage, small nuclear, CCS

The utility's latest integrated resource plan also calls for $2 billion in renewables investments over the next five years.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2019

California wants a carbon-free economy by 2045: Can floating offshore wind help it get there?

New technology could bring ocean wind when there is no sun to recharge depleted batteries.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 2019

A Trump tariff boost? Georgia solar manufacturing plant will be North America's largest

Korea-based Hanwha Q Cells' new plant will produce 12,000 solar panels a day. But solar advocates contend the sector would have done better without the tariffs.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 24, 2019

California needs 2.5 GW of new generation for reliability — keep gas out of that

Instead of continuing to rely on out-of-date and harmful power plants, the CPUC needs to prioritize price-competitive renewable alternatives, writes Vote Solar's Ed Smeloff.

By Ed Smeloff • Sept. 24, 2019

Texas wind poised to outstrip coal generation with 87 TWh in 2020, report projects

Wind generators will outpace coal as the price of the renewable energy continues to fall, although natural gas will still generate the largest share of the state's power, Rystad Energy said.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 23, 2019

Northeastern utilities aim to 'crush and flatten' system peaks as DERs boost grid efficiency

DER providers and utilities have found shared market interests in New England, leading to cooperative BYOD programs that provide a range of benefits for customers and the power system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2019

Nike opens new distribution center running on 100% renewable energy

The 1.5-million-square-foot center is located in Ham, Belgium, expanding the company's existing European Logistics Campus on the site.

By Morgan Forde • Sept. 23, 2019

Amazon buys 100K electric vans as part of net zero carbon goals

The e-commerce company revealed its total carbon footprint was 44.4 million metric tons in 2018, and it wants to achieve carbon neutrality 10 years ahead of the Paris Climate Accord's 2050 goal. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Sept. 20, 2019

Ex-Tesla exec wants to increase utility control of DERs, and has a smart panel to do it

The new electric panel combines smart metering capabilities with remote control of energy use in residences, while easing installation of solar, energy storage and EV chargers.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 20, 2019

FERC proposal would 'gut' PURPA, could lower rates utilities pay to solar developers

The proposed rule would allow states to set the avoided cost rate based on changing market conditions, which would lessen small solar's ability to compete in the market, renewable energy groups contend.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Oct. 8, 2019

FERC oversight battle heats up as Colorado regulators blast Tri-State petition

The state's Public Utility Commission has taken steps to regulate Tri-State's electric resource planning, and worries the utility views federal regulation as an escape hatch for its coal-heavy generation mix.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2019

Virginia Gov. Northam orders 100% carbon-free power by 2050

The governor's order also calls for the state to reach 30% renewable energy and reduce its power consumption 10% below 2006 levels by 2022.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 18, 2019

Duke Energy commits to 100% carbon-free power by 2050

The utility said it plans "to advocate for sound public policy that advances technology and innovation...[including] advanced renewable energy, longer-lasting storage and new nuclear technologies."

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 18, 2019

Arizonans could save $3.5B with quicker coal to solar+storage transition, report finds

Research commissioned by the Sierra Club examined 11 coal units slated for closure in 2035 or later. Moving that timeline up to 2023 would result in significant savings, it found.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 2019

PJM capacity market plan to increase costs $8.4B, market monitor estimates

PJM's plan, currently before FERC, is more of a worst-case scenario regarding cost increases, according to Monitoring Analytics, which is uniquely positioned to calculate the precise cost.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 18, 2019

ConEd, 8 other utilities challenge Trump's energy rule, repeal of Clean Power Plan

The companies say EPA's repeal was premised on faulty readings of the Clean Air Act when it determined they could not go 'beyond the fenceline' to reduce carbon emissions.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 17, 2019

DOE directs $35M for carbon storage projects eligible for extended tax credit

The funding opportunity is the latest of three initiatives totaling $110 million this year to strengthen the coal sector and provide cleaner emissions.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 16, 2019

MOPR Madness: 2 wrongs don't make a right

Regardless of the exact cost of PJM's plan to address state subsidy impacts on its capacity market, the amount is large and unnecessary, Electricity Consumers Resource Council's Devin Hartman writes.

By Devin Hartman • Sept. 13, 2019