Energy advisor says Clinton is open to a carbon tax

Hillary Clinton's energy advisor said the presidential candidate is open to a CO2 tax if lawmakers bring it to her.

By Peter Maloney • July 29, 2016

Kansas utility taps ICF to manage efficiency programs

The $11 million contract runs three years and backs up the utility's residential efficiency offerings.

By Robert Walton • July 29, 2016

US moves up in ACEEE world efficiency rankings, but still plenty of room for improvement

The United States was helped by changes in the report's methodology but struggles with transportation efficiency.

By Robert Walton • July 27, 2016

Elon Musk reveals part 2 of his 'Master Plan' for Tesla, defends potential SolarCity deal

Musk wants to network a fleet of home solar, storage and autonomous cars, allowing the assets to earn money for the consumer when not in use.

By Gavin Bade • July 21, 2016

Atoms for green energy: What role should nuclear power play in decarbonization?

Heated rhetoric about who's to blame for recent nuclear closures masks serious questions about its role in the 21st century energy system.

By Gavin Bade • July 21, 2016

How aggregated DERs are becoming the new demand response

Grid operators are designing new markets and mechanisms to get reliability and flexibility from aggregated distributed energy resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 20, 2016

Hawaii taps Leidos to to administer efficiency, conservation programs

The $85 million contract has a three-year base period, followed by a pair of three-year extensions.

By Robert Walton • July 20, 2016

Nevada clears net metering, retail choice measures for November ballot

The net metering proposal must yet withstand a legal challenge over whether the proposal qualifies as a referendum or an initiative that would have to go to the legislature before it could be put on the ballot.

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

New York utility turns to DERs to avoid $11.8M substation upgrade

The utility is looking to distributed generation, demand response, efficiency and storage to stave off costly upgrades in its service territory.

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2016

Oracle, Opower leaders say acquisition is logical outcome of industry consolidation

"There just aren’t going to be as many customers globally in the utility space as there used to be," an Oracle executive said. 

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2016

Duke will boost North Carolina EV charging stations 30% as part of EPA settlement

The investment stems from a legal deal with the EPA concerning alleged violations of the Clean Air Act in the 1990s.

By Peter Maloney • July 13, 2016

'Universal access': How PSEG CEO Ralph Izzo aims to make efficiency, DERs available to all consumers

Izzo wants utilities to supply DER solutions to consumers not served in the current marketplace.

By Gavin Bade • July 12, 2016

DER providers push for more cost data as New York utilities issue distribution plans under REV

As the DER industry begins to pore over New York utilities' weighty Distributed Service Implementation Plans, some providers are worried they are not being given enough information to identify opportunities for investment.

By Robert Walton • July 11, 2016

Idaho Power to seek review of $35.2M investment in EE, DR programs

Idaho Power says energy efficiency and demand response programs increased annual energy savings 18%.

By Robert Walton • July 8, 2016

NYISO: Despite efficiency, DER gains, new transmission needed for low-carbon grid

Efficiency and DERs are pushing down load, the grid operator said in a new report, but system upgrades will be needed to meet state clean energy goals. 

By Gavin Bade • July 7, 2016

Anatomy of a nuke closure: How PG&E decided to shutter Diablo Canyon

In a policy environment that prizes renewables, PG&E saw no cost-effective route to keeping the giant nuclear plant open.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2016

New York Green Bank aims to grow portfolio by two-thirds next year

The bank aims to spur innovative reneweable energy projects that would otherwise have trouble attracting investment. 

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2016

California dreaming: Utilities uneasy with regulator's vision to remake their business model

Commissioner Florio wants a fundamental rethinking of utility revenues and distributed resources, but his proposal has critics on all sides.

By Peter Maloney • July 6, 2016

Getting to net zero: Organizations are looking beyond lightbulbs to smart energy technology

As a sign of their aggressive goals, 80% of organizations are planning for at least one facility close to net-zero energy use, according to a new survey. 

By Robert Walton • July 6, 2016

Vermont regulators implement rules for 75% renewables target

Vermont's Public Service Board has implemented rules for 75% by 2032 renewables target, stipulating at least 1% needs to come from distributed resources. 

By Peter Maloney • July 1, 2016

A FERC challenge: Opening up electricity markets to advanced energy technologies

Grid operators should allow distributed resources and demand response to be priced for their unique attributes in organized markets, Arvin Ganesan and Suedeen Kelly argue in this guest post.

By Arvin Ganesan and Suedeen Kelly • June 30, 2016

Virginia Gov. McAuliffe issues executive order to cut GHG emissions

The governor directed state agencies to find a way to cut emissions from the power sector that does not need approval from the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

By Peter Maloney • June 30, 2016

After Diablo Canyon: PG&E CEO Tony Earley on renewables, DERs and California's energy future

The same resources pushing the giant nuclear plant offline will be key to the utility's future in a low carbon economy. 

By Gavin Bade • June 30, 2016

C&I demand response growth is slowing, but more opportunities could emerge from the utility sector

Demand response providers say there is still plenty of room to maneuver in the space thanks to new rules coming into play, global opportunities and utilities seeking to optimize their demand management portfolios.

By Robert Walton • June 29, 2016

EIA: Expanding energy policies would spur renewables, efficiency

Extending tax credits and efficiency standards, and making the Clean Power Plan more aggressive, could have a major impact on renewable energy production.

By Robert Walton • June 29, 2016