Arizona regulators approve $2B SunZia power line over objections from greens

The line's 3,000 MW carrying capacity will deliver New Mexico wind and Arizona solar to demand centers in the Southwest.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 5, 2016

Oncor to regulators: Hunt deal could raise rates

If Ray Hunt's plan to purchase Oncor out of bankruptcy involves merging the utility with Sharyland Utilities, which Hunt already owns, it could mean rate increases for millions of Texas residents.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 5, 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

Hawaiian Electric emails reveal origins of NextEra deal, frustration with regulators

Hawaiian regulators are considering NextEra Energy's proposed $4.3 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Electric Industries, and in hearings this week, observers have been given a glimpse into how the deal came about. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2016

Electric utility interest in gas takeovers to continue, analysts say

Dominion Resources annouced ths week it was buying Questar for $4.4 billion, and analysts expect similar acquisitions may be on the horizon.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 3, 2016

Arizona regulators to decide if SunZia power line must guarantee space for renewables

Opponents fear that without restrictions, a line planned to transmit renewable energy will end up carrying gas-generated power.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 3, 2016

Tesla CEO Musk: New version of Powerwall is coming in summer 2016

The announcement came during a question-and-answer session with the Tesla chief last week in Paris.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 2, 2016

Dominion to buy gas distributor Questar for $4.4B

The Virginia-based electric and gas utility will deepen its investment in natural gas, the company announced Monday.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 1, 2016

17% of Hawaiian Electric customers now have rooftop solar

Hawaii’s electric utility has now processed over 77,000 solar PV interconnection applications.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 1, 2016

Arizona regulator tells APS to open books on political contributions

A member of the Arizona Corporation Commission is demanding to see details of political expenditures made by Arizona Public Service.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2016

Wind industry added 5 GW capacity in Q4 2015 with 75% of contracts to non-utility customers

The wind energy industry now has nearly 74.5 GW of cumulative installed capacity in the United States. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 29, 2016

Puerto Rico utility, creditors renew debt restructuring agreement, extend deadline

Lawmakers in the U.S. territory have until Feb. 16 to pass legislation restructuring its debt and creating a new surcharge.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

Stem partners with HECO to develop distribution platform for solar-storage systems

Stem and HECO will use DOE funding to develop an energy management platform to give the utility greater control over distributed resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2016

ConEd creates new subsidiary for electric and gas transmission

Just last week the company's new subsidiary, Consolidated Edison Transmission, LLC, announcd it had acquired 12.5% of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2016

How utilities and regulators differ in their approaches to distributed energy

Meeting customer demand for distributed generation will require more coordination between utilities and regulators, a recent survey found.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

In PURPA ruling, FERC says Entergy not obligated to buy from large QFs

Federal regulators ruled Entergy does not need to purchase power from most qualifying facilities over 20 MW, saying MISO already affords them the "nondiscriminatory access" to power markets envisioned by the law. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

After debt deadline, Puerto Rico utility gets extension to continue providing power

Banks that finance PREPA's fuel deliveries agreed to keep their negotiations out of court until Feb. 12.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 26, 2016

What to expect from California utilities' new aggregated demand response offerings

Under a new auction, California utilities will meet grid demand with traditional demand response, stationary batteries and electric vehicles. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 26, 2016

Piedmont Natural Gas shareholders back $4.9B sale to Duke Energy

With shareholders and federal regulators backing the deal, North Carolina may be the last approval needed to finalize the $4.9 billion deal.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2016

ISO/RTO model best alternative to Hawaiian Electric service, Maui report concludes

A report commissioned by leaders in Maui County, Hawaii, suggests forming an independent system operator to take over grid operations from the investor-owned utility. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016

SunEdison buys 33% stake in Dominion solar portfolio, moves assets to yieldco

SunEdison completed the acquisition of a third of the 231 MW portfolio, and then dropped the assets into Terra Nova Renewable Partners, a partnership managed by SunEdison and J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2016

Southern California Edison signs 500 MW of utility-scale solar PPAs with First Solar

The California utility renews its push for renewables in response to state’s new mandate requireing 50% renewables by 2030. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016

Duke, Piedmont request accelerated review of proposed $4.9B merger

The companies told regulators that the deal could lower fuel costs for Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 20, 2016

DNV GL aims for energy storage 'global guide' with GRIDSTOR standards

Aligning standards across the storage industry will help 'create a level playing field' for providers, analysts say.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 19, 2016

New arrival Spruce ups game for 'trusted energy advisor' role

A new company offering both DER and efficiency financing can be a partner or a competitor to incumbent utilities looking to bolster their customer relationships. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2016

California regulators approve SCE pilot to build 1,500 EV charging stations

The pilot program calls for the installation of 1,500 stations and could lead to a $333 million, 30,000 station buildout by 2020.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 19, 2016