Wisconsin Public Service proposes 32% monthly fixed charge increase

The utility won an 82% fixed charge increase last year, but says that is no longer adequate.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 19, 2015

Hawaiian Electric wants to finalize LNG import deal by Q1 2016

Quarterly filings reveal the utility's plan to begin importing liquefied natural gas, despite opposition from the governor.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 18, 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

MidAmerican to test concrete wind turbine tower claimed to be nation's tallest

Concrete towers can allow turbines to reach higher, accessing stronger winds and making wind viable in new regions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 18, 2015

Despite record low solar prices, study says Austin Energy should build a new gas plant

A Navigant study assessing Austin Energy's need for new generation found a $500 million gas-fired facility makes the most economic sense even as the city forges ahead with 55% renewables goal. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2015

WGL plots $200M, 150 MW distributed solar investment in 2016

"The future of energy requires the integration of renewable resources," said WGL Energy President Sanjiv Maha.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2015

AES deploys new 10 MW battery it touts as Maryland's largest

The battery storage installation will offer flexible storage for ancillary and other grid services in the PJM market. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

Sierra Club's Ameren shareholder resolution seeks 30% renewables by 2030

The environmental advocacy group had shares donated to it from a deceased member, and is using them to attempt to push the utility toward cleaner generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 17, 2015

Rocky Mtn Power will compare cost to serve solar customers before fixed charge decision

Utah regulators want more information on the costs and benefits of distributed generation before a decision on fixed charges. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 16, 2015

Comcast launches energy offerings in 4th state, with more to come

The company, in partnership with Crius Energy, is on track with plans to enter the Texas market next month.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2015

Dong Energy proposes world's largest offshore wind farm off Massachusetts coast

The project proposed by the Danish developer may have a capacity as large as 1,000 MW, which would make it the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2015

Exelon-Pepco merger critics seek investigation of DC Mayor over settlement deal

In a scandal critics are calling "Soccergate," merger opponents question the timing of a deal to support the construction of a new stadium for the soccer team D.C. United, saying it could be connected to the Exelon-Pepco merger. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 12, 2015

Stressed by falling gas and power prices, unregulated utilities get negative outlook from Moody's

The outlook for regulated utilities is stable, while unregulated power companies with coal and nuclear plants are facing significant challenges.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015

Hawaii distributed energy and smart grid companies form new trade group

“It is not just about solar anymore,” says the a founding member of the Distributed Energy Resources Council of Hawaii.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

TPO showdown: Duke faces off against greens over NC church's solar array

NC WARN is testing the limits of North Carolina third party ownership law and Duke wants to put a stop to it.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Moody's cuts Mississippi Power credit rating to near-junk status

The move comes after new members were elected to the Mississippi PSC, sparking concerns they will be less friendly to the utility in rate recovery proceedings for the Kemper coal facility.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2015

Boulder may build distribution assets to push through municipalization

After Colorado regulators tossed out a part of Boulder's plan to take over Xcel Energy's distribution system, the city is mulling options and potentially facing higher costs in its bid to form a municipal utility.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2015

Court rejects Dominion's move to block Sierra Club coal ash lawsuit

The Sierra Club lawsuit can proceed, the federal judge ruled, rejecting Dominion Virginia Power's claims that Sierra Club's arguments are illegitimate over potential coal ash water contamination from a Dominion power plant. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 11, 2015

Feds grant two offshore wind leases off New Jersey coast

Wind developers U.S. Wind Inc. and RES Americas Development won the auction to develop nearly 344,000 water acres.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 11, 2015

Stagnant load growth fueling US utility merger mania

New data expected to be reported by accounting firm EY will show utility deals in North and Sourth America reached $57 billion in the third quarter – a new 5-year high for the period, largely driven by two megamergers in the electric sector.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 10, 2015

Judge allows SolarCity lawsuit against Arizona utility SRP to move forward

An Arizona federal judge threw out SolarCity's claims for monetary damages and non-monetary relief but ruled that the lawsuit can proceed.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 10, 2015

DOE approves $1.2B transmission line for Canadian wind and hydro

The transmission line expected to import 1,000 MW of Canadian wind and hydro power to New England nears regulatory completion. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 10, 2015

What do utility customers want? There's an app for that

The energy app landscape is expanding fast as more vendors and utilities tackle energy efficiency and customer relationships via the mobile device. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 9, 2015

EPA suing Pepco for allegedly polluting Anacostia River

Pepco could face a minimum of $4.9 million in fines related to alleged violations between 2009 and 2014.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2015

NYISO: Closing NRG Huntly and Dunkirk coal plants won't threaten reliability

Lawmakers have already put a $19 million relief package together for communities, and both plants are scheduled to come offline in early 2016. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015

Regulators reject part of Boulder muni bid, but case moves forward

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission determined some portion of the city of Boulder's plan to form a municipal utility ran afoul of the doctine of regulated monopolies, but the city will have a chance to amend its application.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2015