Cleco requests rehearing for investors' failed $4.9B bid to buy utility

The utility says it was not allowed to sufficiently rebut protestors' claims during a hearing on the deal.

By Robert Walton • March 15, 2016

Westar Energy to mull 'strategic options,' including potential sale

The largest utility in Kansas is said to be considering its options, including a potential sale of the company.

By Robert Walton • March 14, 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

Duke Energy appeals $6.6M fine for Dan River coal ash spill

Duke Energy said the fine, issued by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, was unfair in light of the other actions the utility has taken to address the Dan River coal ash accident that dumped more than 30,000 tons of the toxic waste into the nearby river in 2014. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 11, 2016

Dueling studies draw battle lines for next Arizona utility-solar showdown

Studies commissioned by APS and TASC have hugely different approaches to solar valuation, but share an important piece of common ground.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 10, 2016

SDG&E issues call for 140 MW of renewables, DERs, demand-side resources

The utility has issued an RFO for storage, renewables, distributed generation, energy efficiency and demand response resources to comply with CPUC procurement targets.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2016

Vivint Solar pulls the plug on the $1.82B SunEdison merger deal

The rooftop solar developer said SunEdison struggled to meet its obligations under the merger agreement. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 8, 2016

Clean coalition: How utilities and greens teamed up to pass Oregon's 50% RPS

A unique combination of threat and opportunity brought Oregon’s investor-owned utilities to the negotiating table, but not everyone is pleased with the results.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 7, 2016

New York independent energy providers snare temporary stay of new rules

Energy service companies convinced a judge to delay implementation of new restrictions on their businesses as the state looks to clamp down on reports of rampant overcharging.

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2016

Dominion to expand natural gas reach with $4.4B Questar deal

The companies filed merger applications with Wyoming and Utah regulators, while also provided notice of the proposed $4.4 billion deal to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.

By Robert Walton • March 7, 2016

As hearings close, Hawaii regulators prep for decision HEI-NextEra deal by end of year

Hawaii Public Utilities Commission  Chairman Randy Iwase has indicated he believes the review could be complete by this fall. Most intervenors are opposed to the deal.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2016

Florida regulators approve first community solar program for Gulf Power

The Southern Co. subsidiary’s program will let customers without suitable roofs buy solar and receive bill credits — for a fee.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 4, 2016

Texas regulators to consider portions of Hunt's acquisition plan for Oncor

The Public Utility Commission of Texas will consider some portions of Ray Hunt's plan to buy Oncor out of bankruptcy, but initial signs indicate regulators are skeptical.

By Robert Walton • March 3, 2016

Oregon bill to curb coal, set 50% RPS heads to governor after Senate passage

Gov. Kate Brown is expected to sign the bill to set a 50% renewable energy standard and eliminate coal from the state's power mix. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 3, 2016

As Xcel pushes non-wire alternatives, solar+storage pilot sparks utility ownership debate

Everyone loves that Xcel Minnesota is considering DERs instead of traditional infrastructure, but not that the utility wants to own them itself.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 3, 2016

Oregon bill to curb coal use, set 50% renewables mandate heads to Senate after House passage

After an earlier version of the bill was caught up in weeks of partisan wrangling, backers say they expect a quick passage in the Senate before the end of the week.  

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2016

Updated: DC ratepayer advocate opposes revised Exelon-Pepco merger terms

The Office of People's Counsel said in a release Tuesday that the conditions put on a settlement agreement by the Public Service Commission last week mean the deal is no longer in the interest of ratepayers. 

By Gavin Bade • March 1, 2016

Minnesota Power line approved to link Canadian hydro and storage to Midwest wind

The Great Northern transmission line line will help the Minnesota utility access hydropower and pumped storage facilities in Manitoba. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2016

'Only a matter of time': U.S. offshore wind struggles to get off the ground

The U.S. offshore wind industry still lags far behind Europe and China but it has its first steel in the water and sees growth in its future.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 1, 2016

Montana-Dakota Utilities drops demand charge push after deal with solar advocates

Under deals struck with solar advocates and consumer groups, MDU rates would go up about 13% but there will be no solar-specific demand charge.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 29, 2016

Court rejects effort to block SunEdison acquisition of Vivint through TerraForm Power

Legal approval to use its yeildco’s resources opens path to financial recovery for SunEdison.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 29, 2016

Inside the PSC: DC regulators offer clear path to Exelon-Pepco merger approval

In a surprise double vote, regulators rejected a settlement agreement on the merger and then outlined five changes to the deal that would result in its approval.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 26, 2016

SolarCity rolls out storage, smart tech system for Hawaii's self-supply option

SolarCity's new product offers “demand flexibility" and could give solar owners ability to consume 90% of their generation.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 26, 2016

Updated: A brief history of the Exelon-Pepco merger saga

Two years after the deal was first announced, the merger that would create the nation's largest electric utility is coming to its conclusion. Here's a timeline of how we got here.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 25, 2016

HECO cancels 3 solar contracts with SunEdison

Hawaiian Electric Companies move to cancel three SunEdison contracts put the solar developer's $336 million debt restructuring deal in doubt, and sparked the ire of Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission Chair Randy Iwase. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016

Maine utilities, solar advocates back new bill to replace net metering, grow solar

Under the new bill, utilities would act as "standard buyers" for solar of all types, aggregating multiple generation facilities and bidding them into electricity markets. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 25, 2016