Mississippi co-op offers threatens to sue regulators unless they lower net metering rate

The South Mississippi Electric Power Association says the Mississippi Public Service Commission can’t set rates for electric co-ops. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 21, 2015

Historic Los Angeles methane leak puts natural gas emissions under scrutiny

A massive natural gas leak in southern California raises questions over the electricity sector's increased utilization of the resource for power generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 21, 2015

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

Utility stocks steady as the Federal Reserve raises rates

After a 7-year pause, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates. But while analysts expected utilities to take a hit, the sector held steady yesterday on Wall St.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2015

Duke unveils first solar projects owned and operated by its regulated utilities

The 75 MW solar acquisition is driven by North Carolina’s 12.5% by 2021 renewables mandate. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2015

AES Energy signs landmark 1 GW battery storage procurement with LG Chem

AES Energy Storage will purchase the lithium-ion batteries from LG Chem to supply them to utilities, developers, and power system operators.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2015

More than megawatts: New metrics reveal energy storage's potential

GTM Resarch is now counting MWhs and carbon reductions in its storage market updates, illustrating more of what the technology can do.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2015

AEP strikes settlement deal for Ohio plant subsidy proposal

In an abrupt turn of events, American Electric Power has reached a settlement guaranteeing income from of its nine Ohio generating units in exchange for promises to develop more wind and solar at cease coal use at other facilities.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2015

How utilities are meeting rising corporate demand for renewables

U.S. companies are bypassing utilities to buy renewables, but three new IOU programs hold promise for power company involvement in the burgeoning sector. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 14, 2015

Texas regulatory staff opposes Hunt's restructuring plan for Oncor

"The proposed transaction is not in the public interest and it recommend that the commission reject the applicants’ application,” wrote a utility rate expert.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2015

Connecticut regulators approve $3B Iberdrola-UIL merger

Approval of the $3 billion merger is contingent on millons in customer rate credits and commitments to improve services, but one commissioner in his dissent questioned how the merger could benefit the customers. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2015

Hawaii electric co-op says it could save consumers $234M as alternative to NextEra deal

As hearings continue on the proposed NextEra-Hawaiian Electric merger, some say a co-op is a better bet than a takeover by the Florida-based company.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 11, 2015

Sunrun files lawsuit against Nevada governor to get text messages with NV Energy

The solar company is seeking evidence that Gov. Sandoval sought advice from utility lobbyists.   

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 11, 2015

El Paso council rejects Texas utility's proposal to create solar customer class

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has the final say in EPE's $71.5 million rate increase proposal. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

PowerGen 2015: Dynegy and CAISO CEOs illustrate a generation industry in flux

The Dynegy CEO called for federal intervention if Ohio regulators approve income supports for aging coal and nuclear plants, while the CAISO CEO warned generators that his high-renewables "experiment" would soon be their reality.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 9, 2015

AEP leaves ALEC to focus on Clean Power Plan implementation

The right-wing lobbying group disputes allegations that it rejects climate science as large energy companies pull their support.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2015

NRG, National Grid, and others commit to science-based carbon targets at Paris climate talks

The Science Based Targets initiative works with companies to set science-based emissions targets and only approves corporate targets that meet its strict criteria, with 114 companies signing on thus far. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2015

Santee Cooper board approves fixed charges for solar users

Solar advocates say the public utility's additonal charges to solar owners defies South Carolina’s solar legislation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2015

Duke Energy's commercial solar business to offer energy storage

The company plans to focus on the Southern California and Hawaii markets to offer commercial solar+storage in combination with an energy management platform. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2015

Is lithium-ion 'the safest bet' in the future of battery storage?

A maze of options leads to back lithium-ion batteries for plug-in cars, stationary storage, and advanced electronics until at least 2025, according to a new study from Lux Research. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 8, 2015

Vermont utility teams with Tesla to offer home battery installment plan

The system will cost $6,500 but the expense can be decreased by sharing the storage capacity with Green Mountain Power, the utility said.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 7, 2015

California regulators finalize $16.7 million fine to SoCal Edison for secret San Onofre deal

A fee proposed by a state Administrative Law Judge has been finalized by California regulators over secret negotiations between Edison executives and the former CPUC president.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015

Wisconsin regulators approve 75% fixed charge increase for Xcel subsidiary

The Wisconsin PSC has now approved fixed charge increases for four of the state's five major investor-owned utilities. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015

As IOUs push solar, Santee Cooper rate plan draws ire of South Carolina greens

Clean energy activists say the state's public utility is dragging its feet on solar while IOUs charge ahead.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015

Federal judge approves Energy Future Holdings restructuring plan

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has approved the company’s reorganization plan, which includes the sale of Texas T&D giant Oncor.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 7, 2015

Google nearly doubles investment in renewables with 842 MW of wind and solar

The tech giant is calling its latest clean energy commitment "the largest, most diverse purchase of renewable energy by a non-utility."

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 4, 2015