Georgia regulators approve $12B Southern-AGL merger

The $12 billion deal, if completed, would create the second largest electric utility in the country. 

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2016

Video: NV Energy-backed group launches media campaign to keep solar net metering rates

A new statewide ad buy aims to counter efforts from solar installers to overturn lower net metering rates approved by regulators at the end of last year.

By Gavin Bade, Herman Trabish • April 15, 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

Wind installed more capacity than any other generation source in 2015, industry says

Increasing buy-in from non-utility customers marked strong growth for the sector last year.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 14, 2016

Southern California Edison led utility solar installations with over 1.2 GW in 2015

New numbers from SEPA show which power providers installed the most solar last year.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 14, 2016

Maryland Pepco customers get 1st bill credits following Exelon merger

Beginning this week, Maryland customers of Pepco received the first of two $50 bill credits as part of a package of benefits to ease potential higher rates resulting from the Exelon-Pepco merger. 

By Robert Walton • April 14, 2016

Idaho Power will be sixth utility to join CAISO's western Energy Imbalance Market

The market allows for real-time balancing of supply and demand across utility systems in the West, helping control costs and integrate more renewable energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 13, 2016

Utility-backed solar group raised over $7M to counter TPO proposal in Florida

While money troubles sunk the proposal that would have legalized third party ownership, the utility-backed measure created to counter it is cleared to appear on the ballot.  

By Herman K. Trabish • April 13, 2016

How Minnesota is approaching grid modernization as a vertically-integrated state

A new PUC report outlines the state's vision for grid modernization and previews coming regulatory debates.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 13, 2016

Electric line workers listed among top 10 most dangerous jobs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrical powerline installers and repairers land on the list of top ten most dangerous jobs at 19.2 fatalities per 100,000 workers.

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 12, 2016

Minnesota report points to flaws in Xcel's community solar installations

An independent engineer appointed by the PUC says the utility mishandled cost estimates, interconnection processes, and cooperation with developers in a community solar project.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 12, 2016

Civil Rights Commission eyes North Carolina coal ash in environmental justice probe

The Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was at a hearing in North Carolina last week focused on the impacts of coal ash on predominantly low-income, minority communities. 

By Shalina Chatlani • April 12, 2016

Initial bids for Kansas utility Westar Energy due this week

Canadian investment firms, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and rival utility Ameren have all been rumored as potential suitors for the Kansas utility, which has generated acquisition interest since last year.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2016

SolarCity taps ex-FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff as chief policy officer

SolarCity recently left Wellinghoff's home state of Nevada after regulators issued a decision to roll back net metering rates. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 8, 2016

SolarCity closes $150M securitization for commercial solar+storage

SolarCity continued a string of securitizations with a $150-million financing from Credit Suisse.

By Peter Maloney • April 8, 2016

Community solar poised for growth as utilities gain confidence, familiarity

Two new reports detail a bright future for community solar as utilities and developers gain experience and realize the resource's potential.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 7, 2016

Iowa House passes bill to toughen eminent domain rules for transmission developers

The bill would prevent utility regulators from granting eminent domain rights for a project unless 75% of landowners in its path approved.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 7, 2016

Indiana cooperative to offer leases on pilot community solar array

Member-customers expected to save $1,600 over the 20 year term lease term

By Herman K. Trabish • April 7, 2016

'Wake up worrying': NextEra-Hawaiian Electric merger in doubt as regulators near decision time

NextEra's bid to buy Hawaiian Electric has failed to inspire state energy stakeholders, but the merger proceeding isn't a popularity contest.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2016

Report: Installed solar costs dropped 5% as consumers search for best value

EnergySage, an online marketplace for solar, released a report that also showed solar customers moving from leasing deals to solar loans. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2016

As RPS importance declines, 3 factors help drive growth for utility-scale solar

For the first time, most utility-scale solar development this year won't be driven by renewable portfolio standards. Instead, voluntary utility procurement, PURPA contracts and corporate interest are boosting the market, along with some nascent activity in the merchant generation space.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 5, 2016

SunEdison's financial woes could scuttle storage deal with Imergy in India

SunEdison's financial troubles could threaten Imergy's battery roll-out in India.

By Peter Maloney • April 4, 2016

Report: SunEdison plans to file for bankruptcy

SunEdison is planning to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it also faces an investigation from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 4, 2016

How DOE is leveraging federal authority to ease transmission development

The Dept. of Energy is exercising powers that allow it to speed siting and construction of interstate transmission, but not everyone is pleased.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 4, 2016

Is Nest thermostat's future with Google on shaky ground?

The company isn't releasing specific sales numbers, but analysts say it appears revenue from the Nest thermostat is lagging behind expectations.

By Robert Walton • April 1, 2016

Florida Supreme Court approves language for utility-backed solar amendment

The approval means the amendment pushed by the utility-backed Consumers for Solar Choice will land a place on the 2016 ballot in November. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 1, 2016