Washington rejects Hydro One's acquisition of Avista, pointing to political, financial risks

The regulators' decision followed the dismissal of Hydro One's CEO and entire board, leading state regulators to conclude the merger would not protect customers from political turmoil in Ontario.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 6, 2018

California utilities prep nation's biggest time-of-use rate rollout

Over 300 time-varying rates in 62 pilots have shown consumers can "understand and respond," but California’s three IOUs are dealing with more than 20 million people.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 6, 2018

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

PacifiCorp shows 60% of its coal units are uneconomic

The Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary conducted the analysis as part of its 2019 integrated resource plan, finding that more considerations need further study "before future resource decisions are made."

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 5, 2018

ALEC members reject electricity competition resolution after EEI opposition

The vote at the meeting of the private conservative policy group illustrates the ongoing debate between backers of market competition and incumbent utilities keen to preserve monopoly power. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 3, 2018

Utility of the Year: Xcel Energy

The company is a leader in the U.S. power sector's transition to a clean energy future, making significant investments in renewable energy and electric vehicles while pursuing innovative business models.

By Larry Pearl • Dec. 3, 2018

The Utility Dive Awards for 2018

The awards recognize the utility industry's top disruptors and innovators. These executives and companies are key leaders in the sector's pivotal transition.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 3, 2018

SDG&E urges quick action by California Supreme Court on wildfire cost recovery

Saying a state appellate judge that previously ruled against the company should have recused herself due to a conflict of interest, the utility filed a petition this week to recover $379 million from 2007 wildfire costs.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 30, 2018

Capital Dynamics, Tenaska to develop 2 GW of solar across the Midwest

The agreement envisions 14 projects across six states and would significantly boost solar capacity in a region poised for clean energy growth after several Democratic wins in the midterm elections. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 29, 2018

FERC moves to narrow jurisdiction over utility mergers after FPA changes

Newly signed amendments to the Federal Power Act would set a $10 million minimum for the value of mergers and acquisitions that must receive pre-approval from FERC.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 29, 2018

Florida Power & Light closes in on acquisition of Vero Beach utility

The $185 million deal is expected to result in significantly lower bills for Vero Beach customers as they become subject to FPL's lower rates.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 28, 2018

Legislation aims to shield PG&E from fire liability: 'Bankruptcy is not an option'

A California assemblyman is preparing to introduce legislation that would extend provisions of SB 901, passed earlier this year to limit utility liability from 2017 wildfires, to include fires this year.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 27, 2018

GM cuts jobs, ends models amid shift to electric and autonomous cars

The company has signaled that its future runs through full electric vehicles, promising to release more than 20 electric models around the world by 2023.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 27, 2018

SCANA agrees to settle $2B class action suit over nuclear costs

But the agreement is contingent upon South Carolina regulators approving Dominion Energy's bid to purchase SCANA and its principle subsidiary, South Carolina Electric & Gas.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 26, 2018

Dominion offers 15% rate cut in updated bid to acquire SCANA

Dominion would lower rates even further than its previous two offers in its bid to acquire SCANA Corp. and its principal subsidiary South Carolina Electric & Gas.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 21, 2018

New Microsoft contract could expand corporate renewable energy deals to smaller buyers

The "volume firming agreement" could mitigate some of the risk and volatility of renewable energy power purchase agreements, helping to expand procurement beyond large corporate buyers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 20, 2018

S&P: Utility financials largely stable, growth outlook uncertain

The firm also anticipates "modest to flat growth" next year for independent generators, predicting that power prices could strengthen in the PJM market "because energy price reforms appear likely."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 19, 2018

California PUC chair says state won't let PG&E go bankrupt

The utility withdrew its revolving credit lines this week as its equipment was linked to the deadly Camp Fire, a move that can presage a bankruptcy filing. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 16, 2018

48% of power and utility CEOs think cybersecurity attack is inevitable: KPMG

A little over half the executives surveyed feel prepared to identify a cybersecurity threat and 59% said cybersecurity specialists were the most important new role at their company.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 16, 2018

Customer preference shifts from utilities to third-party providers for rooftop solar, EV: Cogent

Only 47% of consumers surveyed prefer utilities as their solar provider, down from 68% last year, suggesting utilities need stronger brand management.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 15, 2018

EY: Q3 power transactions reach record $241B globally

U.S. deals are valued at $28.8 billion this quarter, a 7% increase from Q2, driven largely by cheaper gas and renewables, according to an Ernst & Young Q3 report. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 14, 2018

PG&E debt drawdown raises concerns of potential bankruptcy due to fire costs

The utility withdrew all the cash from its revolving credit lines on Nov. 13, a move financial experts say could presage a bankruptcy filing or other serious financial problems for the utility.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 13, 2018

AEP to spend $2.7B on renewables, $24.9B on T&D in next 5 years

American Electric Power plans to use the majority of its five year budget on transmission and distribution operations to "enhance service for customers."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 13, 2018

Report: CPUC launches PG&E, SCE probes after 3 deadly fires

Lawsuit threats loom after two of the state's largest investor owned utilities alerted regulators to transmission issues near ground zero of blazes that started last week.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 13, 2018

Duke, Dominion issue $1.3B in green bonds

Dominion plans to use the bonds to reimburse for its solar investments while Duke said it would use bonds to fund solar and energy projects.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2018

Greenlots and Volvo to partner on charging infrastructure for electric trucks

The project in Southern California is supported by a $44.8 million state grant and will include both DC fast chargers and level 2 chargers.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 12, 2018