Fairness to creditors the focus as Energy Future Holdings bankruptcy trial begins

In what could be the final step to reorganization, a U.S. bankruptcy judge is being asked to approve splitting the company into two parts.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2015

Hawaii PUC allows public utility alternatives to be considered in NextEra merger case

As a part of the proceeding on the merger of NextEra and Hawaiian Electric, the commission will hear presentations on the feasibility of co-ops, munis, and LNG for state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 5, 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

Invenergy adds 31.5 MW battery to booming PJM frequency regulation market

PJM is now on track to reach an energy storage capacity of over 550 MW next year, with almost all of that providing frequency regulation, among other services.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 4, 2015

Duke urges regulators to deny TPO solar bid from green group, church

The utility says the protest act by activist group NC WARN is breaking the law and deserves $1,000 fine every day.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 4, 2015

Utilities pour money into startup Bidgely for home energy management

Exelon Corp. was one of three major utilities investing in the data analytics company to expand Bidgley's home energy management suite in the United States and Europe.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 4, 2015

California ballot initiative would eliminate IOUs, establish statewide public utility

The Secretary of State on Friday approved the petition's language, greenlighting efforts to get 365,000 signatures to form a statewide public utility.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2015

Ice, ice energy: The hot market for cooled liquid energy storage

Ice Energy and CALMAC are proving their value while newer technologies wrestle with cost.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2015

Maryland attorney general wants state to reconsider Exelon-Pepco merger approval

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh has thrown his support behind a bid to undo approval of the Exelon-Pepco deal, arguing the merger will hold back efforts to modernize the state's grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2015

Duke's Piedmont deal forces restructuring ownership of Atlantic Coast Pipeline

Dominion Resources will remain the lead owner of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, but how the shares will be restructered remains to be seen.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2015

Wisconsin Public Service seeks third fixed charge increase in three years

As WPS looks to add another $6 to monthly residential fixed charges, a state court tosses out an earlier fixed charge increase from We Energies saying it discriminates against solar owners.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 2, 2015

ITC sunset in sight, SolarCity shifts from growth to cost cutting strategy

With strong third quarter growth this year, the company is turning its attention to post-tax credit profitability. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 2, 2015

Michigan utilities face growing lineman shortage

A rise in retirements and sluggish hiring has left Michigan struggling to find enough workers to maintain its electric power distribution grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2015

Exelon delays decision on Illinois nuke after MISO announces potential market changes

The Midcontinent ISO last week acknowledged the need for market changes in the southern Illinois area, giving new hope to Exelon's struggling Clinton nuclear facility.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2015

Austin Energy, First Solar ink deal for 119 MW of solar

The project is due  to come online before the end of 2016 to qualify for the 30% tax credit.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 30, 2015

NextEra grows renewable portfolio, weighs sale of Texas merchant generation

NextEra CEO James Robo said the company reviews all their assets each year and determines whether it makes sense to keep them. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2015

3 US companies make rankings of world's top 20 greenest utilities

A Spanish conglomerate focused on renewables took the top slot, while NextEra Energy was the highest-ranked U.S. utility. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2015

How utilities are getting in on the transmission building boom

New renewables generation under the Clean Power Plan will require thousands of miles of new transmission, and increasingly utilities are getting in on the race to build it.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 29, 2015

NextEra, HEI ask PUC to exclude merger intervenors pushing for public utility

Utilities argue the proceeding should only be about the $4.3B merger and not about public utility alternatives.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 29, 2015

Rocky Mountain Power unveils clean energy proposal, but skeptics remain

The Salt Lake City-based utility wants to offer a new, lower tariff for expanding businesses and split residential bills into use and access charges in a plan aimed at cutting emissions. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 29, 2015

Good news for Exelon: DC regulators vote to evaluate Pepco merger settlement

The PSC voted Wednesday to consider a settlement Exelon reached with the DC mayor after it rejected an initial merger proposal in August.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 28, 2015

Duke CEO: Piedmont deal heralds new focus on natural gas industry

In the future, gas infrastructure investments will be a growing focus for Duke Energy, according to CEO Lynn Good.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2015

Plans to expand Texas nuke plant by 2 units pass NRC safety tests

Nuclear regulators have completed a Final Safety Evaluation Report examining a Texas nuclear expansion, concluding the developer is technically and financially capable of moving ahead with the South Texas Project in Bay City.  

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2015

From theory to practice: The challenges in moving to 'Utility 2.0'

Executives from four major utilities spoke at ESNA 2015 about the trials and tribulations of putting more new technology on their grids. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2015

Xcel CEO: Wind is a better long-term buy than natural gas

Wind's 20-year PPA price of $25/MWh compares favorably with the economics of gas generation, CEO Ben Fowke said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2015

Florida Power & Light tapped as nation's most reliable utility

PA Consulting Group called the Florida utility "an incredibly focused organization that is embracing technology and innovation."

By Robert Walton • Oct. 27, 2015