SDG&E approved for 5 storage projects totaling 334 MWh

San Diego Gas & Electric also received authorization for a new demand response program to be managed by OhmConnect.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2018

Activist investors push Sempra to sell renewable assets, focus on utilities and LNG

Elliott Management and Bluescape Resources, 5% owners of Sempra, say their plan could create $11 billion-$16 billion in value.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 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

Cal Fire: PG&E violated state law in 8 wildfires last year

The state agency released its report into 12 wildfires last week, finding electrical equipment sparked each one. 

By Gavin Bade • June 11, 2018

National Grid settlement curbs rate increase, ups grid mod in Rhode Island

The agreement is part of Rhode Island's power sector transformation and calls for investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, energy storage and advanced metering.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2018

CMS $1.4B credit agreement first to link lower interest rates with more renewables

CMS has announced several clean energy goals this year, including phasing out coal, reducing carbon emissions 80% and meeting a renewables standard of 40% by 2040. 

By Robert Walton • June 7, 2018

New solar industry initiatives could open business-utility collaborations

A 2017 spike in commercial and industrial solar growth will not last, but industry efforts to educate property owners and offer better financing could be good for businesses and utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 2018

Musk says Tesla can get li-ion cell prices below $100/kWh this year

The Tesla CEO is again pushing the envelope with promises for energy storage and electric vehicles.

By Peter Maloney • June 7, 2018

New Missouri law authorizes Ameren to invest $1B, cuts rates

Missouri Senate approval of the bill last month prompted Morningstar analysts to raise Ameren's share-price valuation.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2018

Florida regulators OK FPL purchase of Vero Beach electric system

The $185 million deal has been a decade in the making and was almost scuttled by concerns from the Public Service Commission staff.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2018

Tesla snags Amazon executive to lead energy division

To catch up with a backlog of demand for its Powerwall residential storage product, Tesla is bringing in a former VP of Amazon's North American fulfillment centers.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2018

Duke agrees to cut North Carolina grid modernization plan by $5.3B

The utility will deploy at least 300 MW of energy storage projects on its system in North Carolina by May 2026, as part of a deal reached with environmental groups.

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2018

US doubles solar manufacturing, but not jobs (yet)

Job creation is not guaranteed in the sector despite an increase in domestic solar panel manufacturing, according to analysts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 31, 2018

Blink Charging unveils new EV fast-charging station

The company wins Underwriters Laboratories approval for a new station meant to cut charging time by about two-thirds.

By Peter Maloney • May 31, 2018

New wind project would move MidAmerican within reach of 100% renewables goal

The utility wants to generate enough electricity from wind to equal its customer demand for a year, though other assets will likely remain on the system. 

By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2018

Xcel to add 1.2 GW of wind to Texas, New Mexico mix, as PUC gives formal OK

The utility's plan nearly doubles the amount of wind capacity in that service area through two wind farms and a power purchase agreement from wind farms developed by NextEra.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2018

Puerto Rico's utility signed a $900M contract last week. Who will pay is a mystery.

PREPA is mired in bankruptcy and can't pay for a deal it just signed. Federal agencies, meanwhile, refuse to say if they will pick up the tab.

By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018

Sonnen's latest funding round nets $70M, led by Shell Ventures

The company's "strategic cooperation agreement" focuses on innovative integrated energy propositions, EV charging solutions and grid services based on a virtual battery pool.

By Robert Walton • May 29, 2018

Cal Fire: PG&E violated state law, causing 3 wildfires last year

State officials released their first investigations into the 2017 California wildfire season last week, which could pose up to a $12 billion liability for PG&E.

By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018

State regulators approve Westar, Great Plains Energy $15B merger

Kansas and Missouri regulators approved the deal after the companies removed a $4.9 billion acquisition premium that Great Plains proposed to pay for Westar.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2018

Trump abandons plan to sell off BPA power assets

The White House plan to sell off four federal power authorities, floated in its last two budget proposals, was opposed by electric co-op and municipal utility groups.

By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018

Southern Co. unit to sell 33% of solar assets for $1.2B

Executives are exploring third-party equity financing for much of the subsidiary's wind portfolio.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 24, 2018

US nuke rules soured acquisition interest from European utilities, former regulator says

Former NRC Commissioner Jeffrey Merrifield made the comment while testifying at a House hearing on four nuclear bills, including one that would push DOE to focus on more highly enriched fuels.

By Gavin Bade • May 22, 2018

Boring Company previews Los Angeles plan: $1 rides on all-electric underground pods

Elon Musk’s underground ambitions to defeat what he calls "soul-sucking traffic" are sky-high.

By Jason Plautz • May 22, 2018

DTE, Consumers pledge 50% clean energy, heading off ballot initiative

The Michigan utilities expect to reach most of the 2030 goal through efficiency initiatives, but at least 25% of the result will come from renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2018

NextEra to buy Gulf Power, gas assets from Southern for $6.5B

NextEra has long wanted more regulated utility assets but failed to close two high-profile acquisitions in recent years. 

By Gavin Bade • May 21, 2018