Renewable procurement gaps pose risk for California's climate goals, but what solution is best?

A new bill may capture broad agreement about the need for a central backstop procurement entity, but doubts about it remain.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2019

Inslee signs 100% clean energy bill in midst of 2020 White House bid

The bill was signed despite lack of bipartisan support and would require the electric grid to be 100% carbon-free by 2045, carbon-neutral by 2030 and coal-free by 2025.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 8, 2019

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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

Indiana lawmakers reject generation moratorium aimed at saving coal

Debate over the generation moratorium corresponded with a lobbying campaign by out-of-state coal interests that supply fuel to Indiana generators, the Indianapolis Star reported.

By Gavin Bade • April 12, 2019

Duke to resist North Carolina DEQ's 'disruptive' and 'expensive' coal ash excavation order

The utility plans to file an appeal with state regulators following an order which determined the only way to ensure Duke's coal ash is stored safely is to fully excavate all ponds.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 12, 2019

Puerto Rico governor signs 100% renewable energy mandate

The law aims to replace imported oil, gas and coal, which today make up the brunt of the island's generation. 

By Gavin Bade • April 12, 2019

Chicago becomes largest US city to commit to 100% clean energy

The city council voted unanimously on the resolution, which also calls for complete electrification of the city's bus fleet by 2040.

By Kristin Musulin • April 12, 2019

PJM won't delay capacity market order despite FERC impasse over rule changes

Last month PJM warned FERC that it was nearing a number of deadlines to prepare for the auction and needed a decision soon.

By Gavin Bade • April 11, 2019

Montana approves bill to allow utility power sales to EV charging stations

The bill headed to Gov. Steve Bullock also determines the EV charging companies are not public utilities and directs regulators to set rates for EV charging. 

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2019

California utilities support centralized renewables procurement proposal, but urge caution

A California Administrative Law Judge issued the proposal in March after concluding that integrated resource plans filed by utilities and community choice aggregators would not reliably meet the state's climate goals. 

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2019

Maryland 50% RPS bill doubles offshore wind target, expands solar-carve out

The measure passed Monday by state legislators also allows waste-to-energy facilities to qualify for the renewable portfolio standard.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 22, 2019

New Jersey governor unveils portal to enhance state's offshore wind supply chain

As the state works to add 3,500 MW of offshore wind by 2030, Gov. Phil Murphy announced a free online registry to connect investors in offshore wind projects with New Jersey-based partners and suppliers.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 10, 2019

100% clean electricity in Washington state: Achievable, affordable and reliable

The policy gained strong support in 2018, with strong stakeholder engagement setting up multiple checks and balances that will help decarbonize Washington’s electricity sector while maintaining low electricity prices.

By Adam Maxwell • April 10, 2019

DOE calls for large Puerto Rico gas plant as island targets 100% renewables

A gas generator 1.2 GW or larger would "greatly enhance" reliability and resilience, a senior agency official told lawmakers, but "could be at odds" with Puerto Rico's recently passed 100% renewables goal.

By Gavin Bade • April 9, 2019

Montana reviews controversial coal-saving bill, passes community transition actions

The "Save Colstrip" legislation is expected to reach the House floor in the coming weeks, as the governor considers three more coal-related bills.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 9, 2019

'No chance' on making Duke absorb coal ash costs, North Carolina GOP says

A new bill to prohibit cost recovery from ratepayers follows a PUC ruling last week that Duke must fully excavate all its coal ash ponds, estimated by the utility to add $4-5 billion to the already $5.6 billion clean up.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 9, 2019

Minnesota advances on performance-based rates, asks what metrics to consider

State regulators opened a public comment period last week on what data points must be measured in order to evaluate utility performance — the first step in linking those outcomes to utility rates.

By Robert Walton • April 9, 2019

Grid modernization is the best new deal

A Grid Modernization Act could accomplish many of the Green New Deal's goals by improving public health, creating jobs, spurring innovation, strengthening national security and making our communities more resilient.

By Hon. Dennis McGinn and Roger Sorkin • April 9, 2019

Ohio GOP lines up bill to save FirstEnergy nuclear plants

Draft language released last week would create an "Ohio clean air fund" that would direct $300 million in annual customer payments to the Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear plants.

By Gavin Bade • April 8, 2019

Montana Supreme Court upholds ruling that PSC intentionally set PURPA rates to kill solar projects

Solar developers sued state regulators and NorthWestern Energy after a commissioner was caught on tape admitting that cuts to compensation rates were likely deep enough to kill small solar projects.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Aug. 25, 2020

New Mexico efficiency bill ensures utilities don't take hit from lower energy use

The bill, signed into law Thursday, also boosts energy efficiency funding 67% and is expected to save customers $500 million over the next decade.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 5, 2019

Bankruptcy judge turns back FirstEnergy reorganization plan

The company's deal with creditors would have shielded it from cleanup costs at 8 GW of retiring coal and nuclear plants, but the judge called it "patently unconfirmable."

By Gavin Bade • April 5, 2019

House Democrats roll out energy storage tax credit while pushing broader clean energy incentives

Amid a broad policy push for climate action and decarbonization, more than 100 House Democrats are pushing near-term action to boost the deployment of renewables and battery storage.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 5, 2019

Indiana GOP advances coal rescue bill that would pause utility plant builds

House Republicans in the state are taking a novel approach to keeping coal plants online — preventing investment in their competitors.

By Gavin Bade • April 5, 2019

States can grow battery resources with 'one simple step,' report finds

Citing Massachusetts as an example, Clean Energy Group recommends states redefine energy efficiency to include peak demand reduction, which could spur energy storage via access to additional incentives.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2019

Floating solar offers unique bargains — U.S. utilities are missing out

Siting photovoltaics on water is proving reliable worldwide, and the PVs could meet almost 10% of U.S. electricity needs at market-competitive costs, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 4, 2019