As Maine re-ups net metering, fight over solar tariffs brews in Connecticut

Connecticut last year quietly passed a law to end net metering and lawmakers are now struggling to find answers for the future of solar.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated April 4, 2019

Watchdog raises concerns over Duke's request to recover $137M for cybersecurity upgrades

After paying a record-breaking $10 million fine in January for cybersecurity violations, the utility asked federal regulators to recover their investments in system upgrades from their rate base.

By HJ Mai • April 3, 2019

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

FERC asks grid operators for more detail on storage participation

Federal regulators on April 1 asked RTOs and ISOs to beef up their compliance filings for Order 841 after the energy storage sector raised concerns with their original proposals. 

By Gavin Bade • April 3, 2019

Federal judge blocks potential path to viability for 2.3 GW Navajo coal plant

Coal producer Peabody Energy, the Hopi Tribe and labor union United Mine Workers of America tried to add legal pressure onto the Central Arizona Project to ensure the coal-fired plant had a large buyer for its output.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 3, 2019

Duke: North Carolina coal ash pond excavation order to cost up to $5B

Eight of 14 sites had been slated for excavation at a cost of $5.6 billion, but the fate of the remaining sites was unknown until Monday, when regulators ordered the final six sites excavate all their ponds.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 2, 2019

Duke proposes adding nearly 2.5K EV chargers in North Carolina

Depending how quickly state regulators act, the $76 million program could be operational as soon as Q3, according to Duke Energy's director of electrification strategy, Lang Reynolds.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 2, 2019

Maryland passes energy storage pilot program to determine future regulatory framework

The bill applies only to Maryland's four investor-owned utilities: Potomac Edison; Baltimore Gas and Electric; Delmarva Power and Light; and Potomac Electric Power.

By HJ Mai • April 2, 2019

As 100% renewables goals proliferate, what role for utilities?

The momentum behind demand for renewables is growing; utilities lose if they ignore it and there is much to gain in planning ahead.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 2, 2019

Controversial $1B Canada-US transmission line gets Maine PUC approval

The key certificate, unanimously granted by the state's three commissioners, advances the 145-mile transmission corridor that would deliver hydropower from Quebec to Massachusetts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 11, 2019

PJM files update to energy market price formation rules with FERC

The proposed tariff changes from the grid operator seek to resolve the "unjust and unreasonable" design of its reserve market rules.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated April 1, 2019

Exclusive: PG&E's future rests on board picks, CPUC president says

California regulators could reorganize the company or revoke its license to operate if they do not like new selections for its board of directors, California Public Utilities Commission President Michael Picker said in a wide-ranging interview. 

By Gavin Bade • March 29, 2019

House Democrats introduce legislation to keep U.S. in Paris Climate Agreement

The plan calls on President Trump to keep the country on track with its original commitments and comes a day after the Senate held a symbolic Green New Deal vote.

By Jason Plautz • March 28, 2019

Bipartisan nuclear bill extends federal PPAs to 40 years to push advanced reactors

Reintroduced from the last Congress, the bill has four new co-sponsors, including Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who chairs the Senate appropriations subcommittee on energy and water spending.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 28, 2019

ISO-NE files short-term fuel security plan to relieve gas constraints

The ISO's proposed Inventoried Energy Program would provide higher payments for resources that can store fuel onsite in the winters of 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.

By Gavin Bade • March 27, 2019

Oregon lawmakers make extensive amendments to cap-and-trade bill

The bill aims to drastically reduce Oregon's carbon emissions by 2050 and a 130-page amendment revises or eliminates many provisions — including an exemption granted to a Covanta-operated incinerator.

By Rina Li • March 27, 2019

Puerto Rico passes 100% renewable energy bill as it aims for storm resilience

The bill, expected to be signed by Gov. Ricardo Rosselló​, would ban coal plants by 2028 while setting a 2050 target for going fully renewable.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 26, 2019

Letter urges European Parliament to exclude fossil fuel funds from Cohesion Policy

Nearly 50 organizations signed the letter, saying such investments would hurt European communities both environmentally and economically.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 26, 2019

Xcel CEO pushes nuclear to hit utility's 100% clean energy by 2050 goal

The economics of nuclear continue to pose a challenge for utilities, but Xcel CEO Ben Fowke highlighted the potential of smaller plants with passive safety controls that would be smaller capital bets for executives like him.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 26, 2019

The biggest numbers game in the power sector: Data analytics and the utility community of the future

Data analytics are helping utilities improve operations and customer engagement, but a decentralized transactive energy network is in the works and will require additional computing advances.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 25, 2019

EPS Ep. 10: PJM CEO Andy Ott talks reserve market reform and winter reliability

The CEO of the nation's largest wholesale power market says a new round of reforms will better compensate power plants for reliability services they offer every day.

By Gavin Bade • March 25, 2019

Mandate or not? Colorado speaker, governor debate path to 90% carbon reductions

A Colorado bill aims to decrease carbon emissions 90% below 2005 levels by 2050, following conflict within the Democratic leadership in the state over whether to mandate or guide the path to such reductions.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 25, 2019

As 100% renewables mandate nears, Puerto Rico sees new microgrid initiative, resilience focus

The U.S. territory's legislature expects to send a bill to the governor's desk on Monday, mandating the use of 100% renewable energy generation by 2050.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • March 22, 2019

FERC opens transmission, ROE inquiries as regulators spar again over climate

Pointed exchanges over climate change policy at FERC's monthly meeting may indicate that approvals for new natural gas infrastructure are again on hold at the commission.

By Gavin Bade • March 22, 2019

Experiment without penalty: Can regulatory 'sandboxes' foster utility innovation?

The sandbox concept allows innovators to experiment without the usual regulatory impediments and long delays associated with traditional oversight, writes Illinois Commerce Commission Chair Brien Sheahan.

By Brien J. Sheahan and Jimmie Zhang • March 21, 2019

FERC chief of staff Pugliese steps down

Anthony Pugliese stoked controversy last year for making political comments in the media and implying FERC was working with the Department of Energy on a support package for coal and nuclear plants.

By Gavin Bade • Updated March 21, 2019