Norwegian wealth fund drops Duke Energy over coal ash issues

Norges Bank has sold its investment in Duke Energy and some of its subsidiaries, citing the company's environmental record since the 2014 Dan River coal ash spill. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2016

Sunrun appoints ex-Maryland regulator Hoskins as Chief Policy Officer

Anne Hoskins, a former Maryland Public Service Commissioner, will become Sunrun's policy head following the departure of Bryan Miller. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 7, 2016

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

Enbridge to buy Spectra Energy for $28B, creating energy infrastructure giant

The combined entity would be the largest energy infrastructure company in North America and would have an enterprise value of more than $127 billion.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2016

Confidence in collaboration: Rhode Island targets a common perspective on DER values

Facing an impasse over DER rate design, Rhode Island regulators have initiated a new proceeding to find common ground on measures and expectations for distributed energy programs.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 6, 2016

Southern California Edison proposes $2.1B capex for DER integration

SCE did not provide forecast ranges for total capital expenditures through 2020, saying it has no prior experience with rate cases related to DER integration. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2016

Southern Co. finalizes 50% stake in Kinder Morgan pipeline system

Kinder Morgan will continue to operate the 7,600 mile Southern Natural Gas system.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2016

UK's National Grid announces winners of 201 MW storage solicitation

New storage deployments will target ultra-fast frequency response for the grid. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 31, 2016

Public purpose microgrids: Mixed-ownership models spur utility investment in growing sector

Thinking of microgrids as public infrastructure — and financing them like it — could point the industry to new growth.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 30, 2016

Federal judge approves 2nd Energy Future Holdings bankruptcy plan

Approval from Texas regulators is next, moving Oncor, the largest utility in Texas, a step closer towards finding a new owner. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2016

No time to think: How utilities are handling the deluge of grid data

The growth of smart grid technology is outpacing the ability to analyze all its findings, but recent advances in predictive technology and cloud computing may offer solutions for utilities. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 24, 2016

Fixed charge battle looms in Texas as regulators tackle rate design reform

A legislative effort to chart new ratemaking mechanisms in the Lone Star State has the utility sector drawing familiar battle lines.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 23, 2016

Rocky Mountain compromise: Inside Xcel's landmark Colorado solar settlement

In a summer of solar contention, Colorado stakeholders chose a path of less-resistance. Their deal could be a model for more than just rate design.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 22, 2016

So close, so far: Can Maine put its near-agreement on solar net metering back together again?

Supporters of a compromise incentive failed to override Gov. LePage's veto, plunging the state back into a net metering debate and grinding the state's solar sector to a halt. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 19, 2016

Westar, Great Plains merger sees growing list of intervenors

About 20 parties have intervened in the case before the Kansas Corporation Commission, and regulators from Missouri are expected to lodge a complaint. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 18, 2016

DC government, activists join appeal of Exelon-Pepco merger

The Washington city government, Public Citizen and Solar United Neighborhoods are among those who want the courts to block the merger, which regulators approved in March.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 17, 2016

Colorado solar compromise avoids new grid fees, pushes TOU rate pilots

Xcel Energy had sought to increase grid access charges and decrease payments to rooftop solar owners in its general rate case. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 16, 2016

After Hawaiian flub, NextEra's $18.4B bid for Oncor appears on steadier ground

After Hunt Consolidated tried to upend Oncor's business model, a more conventional merger proposal from a company with a presence in Texas and a strong balance sheet could be just what regulators want. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2016

DC consumer advocate files to appeal Exelon-Pepco merger

The Office of People's Counsel in Washington claims regulators did not follow the appropriate process in approving Exelon's takeover of Pepco this June. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 15, 2016

PG&E San Bruno case penalty a 'slap on the wrist,' critics say

A jury found Pacific Gas & Electric guilty of six criminal counts related to the 2010 fatal San Bruno explosion. Experts say the maximum penalty is probably less than the prosecution spent trying the case.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 14, 2016

Stem secures $100M in financing to fuel battery deployment

Borrowing from the financing models that helped propel solar growth, some storage companies are using financial engineering to offer customers no-cost-down financing options for battery installations. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 12, 2016

Exelon to fund $25B in utility investments with revenue from generation subsidiary

The nation's largest utility holding company this week unveiled a growth plan focused on substantial investments in its six regulated electric and gas utilities.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 2016

SolarCity trims solar installation expectations in wake of Tesla merger bid

An expected slowdown in installations is partially due to a focus on profitability over growth after Tesla offered to buy the installer. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 11, 2016

NRG bids to acquire 2.1 of GW of renewable projects from bankrupt SunEdison

The carve-up of what was once the world's largest renewable energy developer has begun.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 10, 2016

If you build it, will they charge? Utilities cautious in plans to spur electric vehicle adoption

Utilities are well positioned to expand EV infrastructure, but many are waiting for an uptick in adoption or a push from regulators. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 10, 2016

Energy Future Holdings secures $4.25B in financing

The funding is expected to help EFH through bankruptcy proceedings as it attempts to sell distribution utility Oncor. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 9, 2016