PG&E revises wildfire mitigation plan to remove hard inspection and improvement deadlines

The utility told regulators it wants to "revise certain targets" because it would likely miss some deadlines due to a range of factors, from the federal government shutdown to weather and access challenges.

By Robert Walton • April 29, 2019

Indiana regulators reject Vectren gas plant over stranded asset concerns

The unexpected order in a fossil-friendly state is another ding against the utility megaprojects that used to define the sector. 

By Gavin Bade • April 25, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Con Edison announces deal to end Westchester moratorium on gas hookups

The agreement for an extra 110,000 dekatherms of natural gas capacity would let the utility create new connections by November 2023 in a county near New York City, where demand for heating has grown with new construction.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 25, 2019

Sempra Energy completes renewables exit with closure of 724 MW AEP wind deal

The utility announced its intent to get out of renewables and non-utility gas last year, and has generated about $2.5 billion in the process.

By Robert Walton • April 24, 2019

Massachusetts approves state's first offshore wind contracts for 800 MW

Before regulators approved Vineyard Wind's power purchase agreements for its project, the state's three investor-owned utilities issued a second request for proposals for offshore wind power.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 24, 2019

GE announces first solar+storage projects since renewable business restructuring

The company has partnered with Helios Energy to build the hybrid systems as part of the Lenox Solar/Energy Storage project in upstate New York. 

By HJ Mai • April 23, 2019

PG&E asks for higher ROE to fund wildfire safety upgrades

The utility says a higher return on equity is essential to attract investors, but its proposal would raise average residential electric rates by 7%.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2019

Duke, Eversource commit to create energy storage safety standards

The corporate social responsibility initiative launched by the Energy Storage Association seeks to establish best practices for potential hazards, end-of-life processes and recycling of storage systems.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 23, 2019

New Jersey approves up to $300M in annual nuclear plant subsidies, despite profitability claims

The subsidy is intended to keep nuclear power competitive, and comes amid a U.S. Supreme Court decision to not take up a legal challenge against similar nuclear support programs.

By HJ Mai • April 23, 2019

Utilities, charger vendors find interconnection best practices to propel EV growth

Collaboration and transparency pioneered in solar interconnections can fast-start delayed transportation electrification ambitions.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 22, 2019

High-speed hurdle: Designing a fast-charging network for electric buses

Bus manufacturer New Flyer has just the ticket: planning deployment and charging stations by route.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 22, 2019

Duke-backed ratemaking bill in North Carolina could decrease regulatory oversight

The bill is raising concerns from opponents about a lack of consumer protections as the utility faces large coal ash clean up costs.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 17, 2019

Holtec to snap up Indian Point nuclear units for decommissioning

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is evaluating several other deals where Holtec seeks to buy units for early retirement.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 17, 2019

Baltimore trash-to-energy incinerator sues county for failure to deliver waste

Waste-to-energy qualifies as a renewable resource under Maryland law, and the facility alleges the county failed to deliver a contractually-mandated minimum of 215,000 annual tons of waste to the incinerator.

By Rina Li • April 16, 2019

PG&E shares jump as California report advocates wildfire liability changes

Strict fire liability rules are not working and "under the status quo, all parties lose," according to a new report from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2019

Calpine sells 2 gas-fired plants to Starwood Energy

The sale features more than 825 MW of contracted capacity in two wholesale markets, including Wisconsin's largest peaker and the newest plant in Calpine's fleet.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2019

Southern California Edison requests higher ROE, citing wildfire risks

The utility told federal regulators the share price of its parent company has "dropped dramatically since 2017 as a result of this wildfire risk."

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2019

Hawaiian Electric targets nearly 1.4 GWh storage, 135 MW solar equivalent in latest solicitation

If approved by Hawaii regulators, the second phase of the utility's procurement plans would compensate for the planned closure of two fossil-fuel power plants and bring the state closer to its 100% renewable energy goal.

By HJ Mai • April 11, 2019

Dominion gas explosion kills 1, injures 17 in North Carolina

A rupture to a two-inch gas line caused a leak that led to the explosion late Wednesday morning.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 11, 2019

Report: PG&E sanctioned for physical and cybersecurity-related violations

DTE Energy and City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri, have also been penalized for violating critical infrastructure protection rules from 2014 to 2016, coinciding with a Russia-based campaign to infiltrate American utility defenses.

By HJ Mai • April 10, 2019

Bankruptcy judge turns back FirstEnergy reorganization plan

The company's deal with creditors would have shielded it from cleanup costs at 8 GW of retiring coal and nuclear plants, but the judge called it "patently unconfirmable."

By Gavin Bade • April 5, 2019

Idaho Power claims one of lowest-priced solar deals at 2.2 cents/kWh

Once constructed, the 120-MW facility will help the utility replace coal-fired power it currently gets from the North Valmy plant in Nevada.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2019

PG&E taps new CEO, 10 directors to lead utility through bankruptcy

Former TVA chief Bill Johnson will take over leadership and seven board members will step down as the embattled utility seeks new direction following a bankruptcy filing related to California's deadly wildfires.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2019

Save coal plant and prevent forest fires? APS assesses biomass conversion at Arizona unit

The Arizona Corporation Commission last December adopted a policy to encourage power generation from forest biomass in an effort to address the risk of wildfires while also creating jobs.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 4, 2019

NiSource report emphasizes safety after Massachusetts gas explosions, accelerates emissions targets

The utility said it has replaced over 430 miles of gas pipeline and plans to invest another $150 million to install shut-off devices on its low pressure systems after a series of deadly explosions in September.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 3, 2019