SRP’s residential rooftop solar program violates PURPA, Vote Solar tells FERC

Federal regulators should launch an enforcement action over Salt River Project’s allegedly discriminatory solar rates, according to Vote Solar and two SRP customers.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 16, 2024

FERC allows activist investor Elliott to buy up to 20% of NRG Energy stock

The decision comes as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is considering changing its policy on investment firm purchases of utility stock.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 11, 2024

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

9 US power sector trends to watch in 2024

The U.S. march toward a decarbonized electric system will continue in 2024 as policymakers and others work to balance, climate, reliability, affordability and other goals.

By Robert Walton, Ethan Howland, Diana DiGangi, Larry Pearl, Kavya Balaraman and Emma Penrod • Jan. 10, 2024

Virginia lawmaker proposes data center efficiency bill, possibly affecting Dominion Energy

A proposed bill would require facilities in the state to meet power usage effectiveness standards and procure carbon-free renewable energy to obtain tax exemption credits.

By Joe Burns • Jan. 8, 2024

It’s time to get our mojo back

The energy industry used to symbolize innovation — how to tap into our ingenuity and look forward to 2024.

By Tyler Rogers, Head of Business Development – North America, Kraken • Jan. 8, 2024

Vitol, power trader to pay $2.3M to settle CAISO-related market manipulation charges

A settlement agreement approved Thursday by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission resolves a long-running market manipulation dispute.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 5, 2024

Legal threats to city, state natural gas bans in 2023: A timeline

The nation’s first gas ban was overturned. One state changed its building codes to avoid legal challenges. Here’s the biggest gas ban news of 2023.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 4, 2024

As reliability concerns with renewables rise, upgrading inverters is urgent, analysts say

The variable output of renewable energy resources requires “grid-forming” inverters to protect power system current flows, engineers and others agree.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 2, 2024

Industry leaders blast Treasury’s draft guidance for clean hydrogen tax credits

Some leading hydrogen producers are already talking about suing to stop the implementation of the Treasury Department’s proposal, according to Mona Dajani, a partner at Baker Botts.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 22, 2023

FERC approves CAISO’s Western day-ahead market plan with 2026 start date

“Utilities across the West are considering their positioning on markets intensively now, with many signaling an intent to move forward in the next six months,” said Brian Turner, a director at Advanced Energy United.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 22, 2023

How COP28 is shaping the energy transition

While decisions at the recent UN climate conference are a significant step forward, more action is needed to ensure a sustainable and resilient future.

By Andrew Keen • Dec. 22, 2023

PJM overstated capacity shortfall risks for this decade: Ohio manufacturers

PJM focused on a worst-case scenario in a report released early this year, but a less-emphasized scenario found the grid operator could meet its power supply needs, according to the trade group.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 22, 2023

Exelon, ComEd, Ameren outlooks lowered by financial firms after regulator rejects grid plans

While recent Illinois Commerce Commission decisions may hurt the utilities’ credit and financial outlook, consumer advocates said the agency’s actions protect ratepayers.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 21, 2023

Good policy by grid operators can address reliability concerns with EPA’s power plant rule

There is an opportunity through the proposed rule to create more certainty around the timeline for the clean energy transition.

By Michelle Solomon • Dec. 21, 2023

FERC transmission incentives ‘way out of whack,’ drive up consumer costs: Commissioner Christie

The agency’s transmission incentives have been “ridiculously generous to transmission developers while inflicting an ongoing victimization of consumers,” FERC Commissioner Mark Christie said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 20, 2023

Why states should prohibit utility political contributions

The 2005 repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act left PUCs in 30 states susceptible to political influence, jeopardizing their responsibility to provide consumers with reliable service at just and reasonable rates.

By Mark Van Orden • Dec. 19, 2023

FERC in Focus: Phillips, Danly, Clements and Christie’s top 10 quotes for ’23

Grid reliability, transmission reform and power markets are among the top issues FERC addressed — and FERC commissioners commented on — this year, setting the stage for 2024.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 18, 2023

New survey highlights reliance on real-time data, suggesting increased momentum for remote energy management in 2024

Users report maintaining or even increasing their use of Sense’s real-time home intelligence, despite changes in their routines.

Dec. 18, 2023

Treasury releases guidance on IRA clean energy tax credits

Solar panel and battery manufacturers can receive a tax credit on a percentage of their production costs until 2033.

By Joelle Anselmo • Dec. 15, 2023

Texas regulators look to expand successful 80 MW virtual power plant pilot

The updated program, initially spurred by Tesla, would allow aggregated distributed energy resources to participate in ERCOT’s contingency reserve service.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2023

Michigan’s new clean energy package is historic for the country, not just the Midwest

The state is now a test case for the country on how to take a set of bold clean energy policies and realize its goals to decarbonize the electric grid.

By Laura Sherman • Dec. 14, 2023

Landmark COP28 agreement calls for ‘transitioning away’ from fossil fuels

Though the final agreement is a step forward from a previous draft that scrapped the demand to “phase out” fossil fuels, its text contains ambiguous language on shifting away from oil and gas.

By Zoya Mirza • Dec. 13, 2023

Arizona’s chief utility regulator bashes ESG, says it’s not a factor when weighing utility plans

Solar and wind resources may be cheaper, but the head of the Arizona Corporation Commission said fossil fuels “will continue to play a critical role in the delivery of reliable, affordable power.”

By Robert Walton • Dec. 12, 2023

Exelon, PG&E, others urge FERC to give transmission owners first dibs on regional projects

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's work to pass a final transmission planning rule could get a boost if Commissioner James Danly leaves the agency when this congressional session ends. 

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 11, 2023

No shining example: Texas-style electric deregulation is bad for consumers

Texas power market designers argue that short-term price spikes will encourage long-run investment, but why would power plant owners build more power plants just to make sure prices stay low?

By Ed Hirs • Dec. 8, 2023