3 Rs of utility emergency management

GIS helps to prepare for and deliver services during and after an emergency.

By Bill Meehan • June 6, 2022

MISO industrial customers petition FERC to avoid sky-high capacity charges if they cut electricity use

The proposal would help the Midcontinent Independent System Operator address a projected power supply shortfall this summer, according to a May 26 complaint filed with federal regulators.

By Ethan Howland • May 27, 2022

Invest federal funds in energy efficiency, dozens of groups, companies urge state officials

Buildings account for roughly 40% of global energy usage, a "figure that is projected to rise," according to Ryan Dalton, director of state policy and external affairs at SiemensUSA.

By Robert Walton • May 26, 2022

Building the connected utility of the future

Today's utilities bear little resemblance to the utility companies from decades ago.

May 23, 2022

DOE's manufactured home efficiency rule disappoints conservation advocates, manufacturers

New rules governing the energy efficiency of manufactured homes include a tiered approach, with stricter standards for multi-section manufactured homes than for single-wide structures.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2022

DOE finalizes rules to phase out older light bulbs, estimates consumers will save $3B annually

The ban on older bulbs will take more than a year to fully implement. Manufacturers say they appreciate the flexibility, while efficiency advocates want retailers to act more quickly.

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2022

Global corporate funding for storage rises to $12.9B despite supply chain squeeze: Mercom

Potentially higher interest rates, as well as the Department of Commerce's anti-dumping circumvention investigation into solar cells, could have implications for the industry down the road, however, Mercom's CEO said.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 19, 2022

New Hampshire regulators approve new EV charging rates for Unitil, Liberty and cut demand charges in half

Advocates for electric vehicle infrastructure are split on whether the lower demand charge will help to expand public charging stations in the state.

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2022

For the Building Performance Standards Coalition to be effective, the White House must think bigger

The former head of the U.S. Green Building Council weighs in on how federal, state and local government partners can go beyond just reducing building emissions as they pursue decarbonization.

By Mahesh Ramanujam • April 11, 2022

House climate committee hearing on efficiency delves into pipeline policy, gas bans, China and Putin

At a Thursday hearing, efficiency advocates pressed lawmakers for additional support to reduce energy use while Republicans turned their attention to domestic gas pipelines and global affairs.

By Robert Walton • April 8, 2022

UN highlights potential of broad electrification as it stresses the role of cities in tackling climate change

Cities must push harder to decarbonize buildings and transform transportation norms, the report suggests, as the next three years are critical if the world is to change the course of global warming.

By Maria Rachal • April 6, 2022

DOE unveils new efficiency standards for federal buildings

Major retrofits and new buildings constructed by the federal government must meet the standards beginning next April, which the Department of Energy estimates will save $4.2 million in operating costs in the first year.

By Jennifer Goodman • March 30, 2022

New best practices are unlocking demand-side management value in utility online marketplaces

Utility marketplaces are expanding their contribution to distributed energy resource adoption and diversified utility revenue streams, according to a Guidehouse Insights analyst.

By Daniel Talero • March 29, 2022

Maryland lawmakers set low-income energy savings target in 'crucial' equity, efficiency legislation

Maryland's EmPOWER program has been improving the state's energy efficiency for more than a decade, but it has underinvested in low-income communities, say critics.

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2022

Consumers Energy to expand low-income efficiency programs under Michigan-approved agreement

The expanded gas and electric efficiency programs are "a critical step towards fighting energy inequality" in the state, Earthjustice Senior Attorney Chinyere Osuala said.

By Robert Walton • March 21, 2022

Fullerton, California, to fund smart city projects with energy savings

The $8.4 million energy efficiency project is expected to save the city $12.1 million and support the implementation of technology like LED streetlights. 

By Cailin Crowe • March 8, 2022

Itron, Utilismart tackle metering, data gaps for small utilities with commercial, industrial customers

There are thousands of utilities with a range of metering and data needs. Itron has joined with Utilismart to help smaller power companies manage their "high-value" customers.

By Robert Walton • March 8, 2022

Bitcoin mining as a grid resource? 'It's complicated.'

Up to 10% of a cryptocurrency mine's revenues can come from grid services and demand flexibility. Is this new breed of data center making communities more resilient — or is it just contributing to the electric grid's problems, as some critics claim?

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2022

Integrating efficiency into demand-side management portfolios may introduce equity risks: analysts

Energy efficiency programs that stand apart from broader demand-side management strategies may not reach their full potential, but combining them has risks, according to panelists at the NARUC Winter Policy Summit.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2022

Dozens of lawmakers press Biden to prioritize appliance efficiency standard updates

There were 28 standards in need of review when President Joe Biden took office, and more deadlines are approaching. "The scale of the rulemaking task ahead is challenging," warned more than 50 lawmakers.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2022

New Hampshire PUC restores energy efficiency funding, but advocates say uncertainty remains

"We've stopped the bleeding," said one energy efficiency advocate, but court challenges and legislative fixes may still be needed.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2022

The number of natural gas customers will continue to rise, even as US decarbonizes: AGA report

Efficient gas appliances are one key to ensuring an equitable transition to a net-zero carbon economy, according to the American Gas Association.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2022

Massachusetts approves $4B efficiency plan. Is it 'transformational' or a 'missed opportunity' on equity?

The Mass Save budget recognizes efficiency as a key to meeting the state's carbon reduction goals, but regulators declined to approve some provisions focused on energy equity.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2022

States are accelerating efficiency, electrification efforts in wake of pandemic disruption: ACEEE

Employment and energy savings in the efficiency sector have taken a hit from COVID-19, but last year a dozen states passed new clean energy legislation to aid the sector's recovery and fight climate change.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2022

Green Mountain Power's bid to extend home storage programs meets tax credit snafu

A popular program giving Vermont customers incentives for home storage systems has cut peak load, but maximizing it could inadvertently reduce customer benefits, some experts warn.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 31, 2022