NRDC, EEI pair up on 21 policy recommendations to grow clean energy

One group is a major environmental lobbyist and the other a powerful trade group representing investor-owned utilities that do not always see eye-to-eye. This marks a major step toward collaborating on environmental and clean energy issues. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2018

Is the third pillar of electricity delivery preventing the building of the first two?

Utilities and distributed energy resource advocates agree the grid needs new technologies to serve 21st century demand, but they differ over what upgrades should come first and what they should cost.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 13, 2018

Massachusetts agency wants efficiency standards for nascent pot industry

The marijuana industry uses a lot of electricity, and state officials want standards to manage the plant's energy usage. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2018

Trump budget would gut EPA, DOE renewables office

The budget would cut the DOE renewables office by 65% and eliminate ARPA-E and the agency's loan programs. EPA would be cut by nearly a quarter. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 12, 2018

Report: More efficiency investment could save Dominion Virginia customers $1.7B

But officials at the utility say the state is already considering legislation to dramatically boost efficiency efforts.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 7, 2018

Study: Miami is least energy-efficient US city

The study, which analyzed 15 major U.S. cities, claims that the least energy-efficient cities are most at risk of feeling the effects of climate change.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 1, 2018

Report: Trump budget seeks 72% cut to DOE clean energy research

Electric vehicle research would take an especially big hit, The Washington Post reports, cut to $56 million from $307 million. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 1, 2018

A look into Chicago's electric vehicle future

A number of city initiatives will promote electric vehicle use and reduce emissions over the next few decades.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 1, 2018

California Gov. Brown outlines plan for 5M ZEVs by 2030

A new report from think tank Next 10 says the governor's goal "could be inhibited if charging infrastructure doesn't keep pace."

By Kristin Musulin • Jan. 31, 2018

MidAmerican Energy denies supporting Iowa bill to drop efficiency program requirement

The company has asked state regulators for authority to cut the size of its energy efficiency programs, but denies being the force behind a proposal to eliminate requirements that utilities provide the programs. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2018

CLEAResult to purchase Ecova's utility division

Ecova has approximately 200 employees and a portfolio of energy efficiency programs with utilities across the country.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2018

'Year of the grid': DER management takes center stage at DistribuTECH

The distributed energy revolution hinges on the development of new software platforms that can help utilities make sense of a deluge of grid data.  

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 29, 2018

New York regulators greenlight third CCA program

Five upstate municipalities will now make bulk purchases of electricity and natural gas for their residents and small businesses. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2018

Mercom: Battery storage dominated funding in grid edge technologies in H1 2017

A new report shows battery storage, smart grid and efficiency companies attracted $1.03 billion in the first half of last year, compared with $807 million the year before. Much of the increase, however, came from one large infusion of cash into a storage company.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 24, 2018

Time-of-use rates can manage EV charging, new report says

Arizona utility Salt River Project recruited 100 electric vehicle drivers to study charging habits, and found that when its system usage peaks around 5 p.m., those vehicles drew about 1 MW.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2018

Regulators slash Kentucky Power rate request, demand side management programs

The utility's average demand side management residential surcharge has risen about 20-fold, from about $0.50 to $10.50 a month, the Kentucky Public Service Commission noted.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2018

Louisiana regulators to investigate MISO energy warning from last week

The grid operator requested customers reduce energy last Thursday as the system faced extreme weather and high demand, threatening energy shortages. Utility regulators say there is "no reason" for Louisiana to be short of power.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2018

PG&E to install 7,500 EV chargers in Northern, Central California

The company's EV Charge Network program will place the devices at condominiums, apartment buildings and workplaces, including at sites in disadvantaged communities.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 18, 2018

There once was an energy storage system on Nantucket...

When the island's summer population swells, peak energy demand doubles. That's a recipe for disaster in a town dependent on tourism. But energy storage may be the answer.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 17, 2018

Why are the newest distribution system buzzwords 'hosting capacity analysis'?

To meet customer demand for distributed energy resources, utilities need to know what their systems can handle.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 17, 2018

Ameren Missouri residential customers to pay lower monthly efficiency charge

The change is due to the costs of approved energy efficiency programs under the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2018

Predictions 2018: Customer engagement, smart energy platforms key DR trends this year

Five experts gave their forecasts on what this year will bring for demand response.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 10, 2018

Puerto Rico Gov. Rosselló proposes overhaul of energy regulator

The new plan came only days after the Puerto Rico Energy Commission proposed new rules for microgrid development on the island.

By Robert Walton , Gavin Bade • Jan. 10, 2018

New York clean energy proposal seeks 1.5 GW of storage, coal phaseout

The plan also calls for solicitations in 2018 and 2019 for 800 MW of offshore wind and new energy efficiency targets by April.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 3, 2018

FERC: Demand response fell 10% in power markets in 2016

The resource met 5.7% of peak demand two years ago, a significant decline from a high of 6.6% in 2015. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 2, 2018