PG&E debt drawdown raises concerns of potential bankruptcy due to fire costs

The utility withdrew all the cash from its revolving credit lines on Nov. 13, a move financial experts say could presage a bankruptcy filing or other serious financial problems for the utility.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 13, 2018

Locational value of DER is essential to grid planning. So why hasn't anyone found it?

Policymakers want to identify the precise value of DER to their power systems, but the system may be changing too fast to make that possible right now.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 13, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

New policy and business actions are giving a significant boost to renewable energy in the U.S., but opposition is growing and grid interconnection, permitting, labor and other challenges remain.

By Utility Dive staff

Report: CPUC launches PG&E, SCE probes after 3 deadly fires

Lawsuit threats loom after two of the state's largest investor owned utilities alerted regulators to transmission issues near ground zero of blazes that started last week.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 13, 2018

South Carolina tackles unprecedented interstate interconnection issues

Duke Energy sought to waive the state's rules to allow renewable projects to participate in a renewables program initiated by North Carolina, opening a can of worms, writes IREC Regulatory Director Sara Baldwin Auck.

By Sara Baldwin Auck • Nov. 13, 2018

Report offers 10 options to preserve utility role amid clean energy transition

The collaboration among Rocky Mountain Institute, America's Power Plan and Advanced Energy Economy Institute, examines ideas such as revenue decoupling, performance-incentive mechanisms and multi-year rate plans.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2018

Clean energy platforms win at the state level as 7 governor seats shift blue

Several Democratic candidates ran their campaigns on clean energy in stark contrast to their opponents, which observers say may have helped win them the election.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 12, 2018

For RTOs & ISOs: 'Don't call it a market' (props to LL Cool J)

The term "market" for the fully restructured RTOs/ISOs was brilliant PR, but a category error in describing what amounts to an alternative regulatory model, write attorneys Ray Gifford and Matthew Larson.

By Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • Nov. 12, 2018

PG&E shares hit multiyear low as deadly Camp Fire rages

While the cause has not been determined, the utility reported that a line outage coincided with the most destructive blaze in California history, which has killed at least 29 people and burned 6,700 buildings.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 12, 2018

New York issues 800 MW offshore wind solicitation as tax credits wind down

The solicitation has been anticipated all year, following Gov. Andrew Cuomo's goal to develop 2,400 MW of offshore wind.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 9, 2018

Storage will replace 3 California gas plants as PG&E nabs approval for world's largest batteries

Installation of more than 2,200 MWh of storage will be the first time a utility directly replaces multiple major fossil fuel generators with batteries.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 9, 2018

PJM aims for middle in defense of capacity market plan at FERC

Fossil fuel generators and consumer advocates assailed the grid operator's resource carve-out plan in comments while PJM tried to frame its proposal as a reasonable compromise. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 8, 2018

A PJM carbon pricing approach to bridge the state-federal energy policy divide

A carbon charge in PJM could be designed to eliminate the need for out of market ZEC payments to nuclear generation and significantly reduce state payments for renewable energy credits.

By Kevin B. Jones • Nov. 8, 2018

GOP energy moderates lose big as Democrats retake House

Power sector executives also saw mixed results in House elections, with three industry veterans winning seats in Michigan, Illinois and California, and one losing a close race in North Carolina.

By Gavin Bade , Catherine Morehouse • Updated Nov. 8, 2018

Ballot initiative flops mask strong election for clean energy

The failure of high-profile ballot initiatives in Arizona and Washington came amid wins for renewable energy supporters in key gubernatorial races.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 7, 2018

States raise Exelon market power concerns over Mystic cost recovery proposal at FERC

Exelon's threat to shut down the Mystic Generating Station if it does not receive financial support is a "charade," Connecticut utility regulators argued.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 6, 2018

Texas generators, utilities square off at PUC over storage ownership

The Texas regulatory docket will determine which companies get to own battery storage and other non-traditional grid technologies in the state. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 6, 2018

Pennsylvania utilities push back on 'prescriptive' ratemaking regulation

The passage of Act 58 gives state regulators authority to approve alternative rate mechanisms, but utilities say a proposed policy statement is too heavy-handed.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2018

PJM CEO: Powering a resilient grid through competitive markets

Federal action to protect specific power plants is not only unnecessary, PJM CEO Andy Ott writes, it would raise consumer costs and discourage investment in newer, more efficient technologies.

By Andrew L. Ott • Nov. 6, 2018

ISO New England unveils new initiatives to enhance winter reliability

New England has been looking for market-based solutions to winter difficulties, as its reliance on natural gas has at times put the grid operator in a tight spot.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2018

Sonnen prepares its next step in aggregating residential storage

Sonnen has turned residential energy storage into virtual power plants in Germany, but has to adapt to do that in the U.S.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 6, 2018

Chatterjee blasts Clean Power Plan, praises EPA replacement in filed comments

Criticism of the Obama administration's defunct carbon regulations was filed the same day that Chatterjee pledged to be a nonpolitical FERC chairman in comments to reporters.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 5, 2018

Emerging best practices for utility grid hardening

The impacts of extreme weather on utility infrastructure are forcing utilities and regulators to take a more proactive approach to storm preparation, risk mitigation and budgeting than they have been accustomed to.

By Jeremy Clark • Nov. 5, 2018

Dem-controlled House would mean expanded oversight, little bipartisan energy work

While moderate Republicans have warmed to clean energy in recent years, Tuesday's election will present a more conservative GOP House caucus as well as the potential for Democratic control.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 5, 2018

Xcel, Boulder agree on separation details in march towards municipal utility

Officials say they are making progress on forming a municipal utility, moving toward an expected November 2020 up-or-down decision by Boulder voters.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2018

4 energy leaders make a run for the House on Dem ballot

As the midterms approach, the energy industry has its own set of candidates running in some tight congressional races. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 2, 2018